Urgent help with skimmer

Ajphillips · 04/18/2014, 11:19 AM

I have a problem with my tmc v2 600. I've been letting it cycle through for 3 days in a 5g of ro and vinegar, I just installed it to my tank but I'm having serious problems,

So while I was trying to find its sweet spot I filled the collection cup up so I emptied it out, turned it back on and all I'm getting is almost like boiling water (not actually boiling just that slow bubble role you get) instead of the foam I was getting, I am worried cos I stirred up a load of crap from the rocks ect so I could see what it could do... But all it's doing currently is making bubbles for my tank! Any help would be appreciated!

hkgar · 04/18/2014, 11:35 AM

Sounds like you may not be getting enough air into the skimmer. Does it have an air control valve. It could also be an orifice on the air line is clogged, probably with salt.

Ajphillips · 04/18/2014, 11:41 AM

It has two valves, one to open the pump, which is fully open, the second is to control the air (I assume) at least it controls the level of skim produced :/ if it's blocked then how can I clear it?

Would dropping the pump in hot water work?

Cymonous · 04/18/2014, 11:45 AM

There appears to be a water level adjustment dial. Try adjusting that.

Ajphillips · 04/18/2014, 11:50 AM

That's fully open it gets about 1/4 the way up the cylinder with still same results, no foam just almost like a kettle looks when boiling ( sorry best way I can describe it)

slowjazz · 04/18/2014, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ajphillips

I have a problem with my tmc v2 600. I've been letting it cycle through for 3 days in a 5g of ro and vinegar, I just installed it to my tank but I'm having serious problems,

So while I was trying to find its sweet spot I filled the collection cup up so I emptied it out, turned it back on and all I'm getting is almost like boiling water (not actually boiling just that slow bubble role you get) instead of the foam I was getting, I am worried cos I stirred up a load of crap from the rocks ect so I could see what it could do... But all it's doing currently is making bubbles for my tank! Any help would be appreciated!

I don't think it is a clogged air intake. Usually when that is clogged or if you put your finger over the tube, you just get a rush of water up the tube into the cup. (ie: no bubbles, just water)

Is your tank new? Usually it takes a few days for the skimmer to actually kick in. It sounds like you just added a bunch of junk to the water column and all of the is being trapped by the skimmer bubbles. You may need to wait a few days for everything to settle back down before you turn it back on.

From what I understand of your model - It is a hob? If so, you need to keep in mind that in-sump skimmers are much better and grab more junk in the water then hob's. Plus your model is known to take a while to tune correctly.

btw.. It is a VERY BAD idea to stir up your tank. your releasing gas and other junk into the water that may kill your fish and corals.

Ajphillips · 04/18/2014, 11:59 AM

This tank is 3 months old but rock and inhabitants are from my previous tank of 3 years, the skimmer is new though yes. As mentioned it had been cycling through ro water an vinegar to prep it, when it first went in to the tank it seemed to be doing its job while I tried to find its 'sweet spot'

I stirred up the tank purely for the reason of making sure the skimmer was working at the position I put it... It's not something I do as a regular habit hence the reason I labeled my post with urgent, I am well aware having toxins ect floating round my tank unfiltered is not very good!

04/18/2014, 11:19 AM	#1
Ajphillips Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 95	Urgent help with skimmer I have a problem with my tmc v2 600. I've been letting it cycle through for 3 days in a 5g of ro and vinegar, I just installed it to my tank but I'm having serious problems, So while I was trying to find its sweet spot I filled the collection cup up so I emptied it out, turned it back on and all I'm getting is almost like boiling water (not actually boiling just that slow bubble role you get) instead of the foam I was getting, I am worried cos I stirred up a load of crap from the rocks ect so I could see what it could do... But all it's doing currently is making bubbles for my tank! Any help would be appreciated!

04/18/2014, 11:35 AM	#2
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Sounds like you may not be getting enough air into the skimmer. Does it have an air control valve. It could also be an orifice on the air line is clogged, probably with salt. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

04/18/2014, 11:45 AM	#4
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	There appears to be a water level adjustment dial. Try adjusting that. __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

04/18/2014, 11:41 AM	#3
Ajphillips Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 95	It has two valves, one to open the pump, which is fully open, the second is to control the air (I assume) at least it controls the level of skim produced :/ if it's blocked then how can I clear it? Would dropping the pump in hot water work?

04/18/2014, 11:50 AM	#5
Ajphillips Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 95	That's fully open it gets about 1/4 the way up the cylinder with still same results, no foam just almost like a kettle looks when boiling ( sorry best way I can describe it)

04/18/2014, 11:59 AM	#7
Ajphillips Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 95	This tank is 3 months old but rock and inhabitants are from my previous tank of 3 years, the skimmer is new though yes. As mentioned it had been cycling through ro water an vinegar to prep it, when it first went in to the tank it seemed to be doing its job while I tried to find its 'sweet spot' I stirred up the tank purely for the reason of making sure the skimmer was working at the position I put it... It's not something I do as a regular habit hence the reason I labeled my post with urgent, I am well aware having toxins ect floating round my tank unfiltered is not very good!