a skimmer question

yraveh · 07/05/2017, 06:23 AM

My skimmer generates a lot of bubble. Instead of climbing up all the way to the collection cup and rolling overboard, my skimmate collects as a dense but soft solid at the pipe leading to the collection cup.
I have to clean this pipe every 2 week from 1-3 mm of solid skimmate.
very little collects in the collection cup as liquid. even less drains out.
Adjusting the valve to elevates the water level didnt help at all.
attached is a picture showing the start of build up of this solid skimmate within 3 days from a thorough clean.

Please advise

jayball · 07/05/2017, 09:22 AM

That is a good dry skim. If you want to skim wetter you need to restrict the skimmer exit, usually through a angle cut standpipe or a valve depending on the skimmer. you will always get that gunk in the neck, that is why there are automated squeegee systems to clean them.

If you clean the skimmer neck more often you will also see more liquid buildup overall. You may want to make sure the impeller is not partially clogged and the air intake is clean as well.

07/05/2017, 09:22 AM	#2
jayball Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,671	That is a good dry skim. If you want to skim wetter you need to restrict the skimmer exit, usually through a angle cut standpipe or a valve depending on the skimmer. you will always get that gunk in the neck, that is why there are automated squeegee systems to clean them. If you clean the skimmer neck more often you will also see more liquid buildup overall. You may want to make sure the impeller is not partially clogged and the air intake is clean as well.