Help me with my skimmer!

IndoorOcean · 02/04/2006, 11:51 AM

I finally upgraded the skimmer on my tank. For the past two years I've been using a skilter! It's worked fine for me since the tank was originally a FOWLR. Over the past month I've added a few corals and have decided that I really need a better skimmer. I purchased a CPR Bak Pak. Got a great deal on it, but I don't think it has ever been used.

Everything seems to be fine except one thing... the powerhead. The powerhead it came with is an Odyssea. It's rated at 320 gph. The problem with it is I can't get it to inject any air bubbles into the chamber of the skimmer. Obviously no foam is going to be produced if there are no air bubbles. I've tried several different things and nothing seems to work. I ran the powerhead alone and it was producing a great stream of microbubbles, but once its hooked to the intake of the skimmer it produces none.

Anyone else had a similar problem? Any advice would be appreciated.

jdieck · 02/04/2006, 11:56 AM

I am not familiar with that skimmer but try to follow the path that air is supposed to follow. most powerhead fed systems have an air hose either connected to the powerhead inlet or to an orifice in the side of the discharge of the powerhead. the airline might be plugged with salt or may be missing.

tkeracer619 · 02/04/2006, 11:59 AM

im also not familiar but blow on the tube that lets air in. if bubbles come out no restriction is there. You might try shortening the air inlet tube. If all else fails and when you blow air comes out hook up an air pump with an adjustable valve inline to regulate how much air is injected.

IndoorOcean · 02/04/2006, 12:00 PM

The airline is present and is not plugged with anything. Works great when running the powerhead alone... when I hook it up to the skimmer inlet water begins coming out of the airline.

IndoorOcean · 02/04/2006, 12:05 PM

I used a shorter airline and had the same problem. Running an airpump does work fine but I was hoping to not have to use one.

jdieck · 02/04/2006, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IndoorOcean
The airline is present and is not plugged with anything. Works great when running the powerhead alone... when I hook it up to the skimmer inlet water begins coming out of the airline.

That is a sign that the pipe that feeds the water to the skimmer is plugged or restricted, check that it is free from obstructions all the way to the skimmer chamber.

LA-Lawman · 02/04/2006, 12:54 PM

can u post some pics of the skimmer with the pump attached...

02/04/2006, 11:51 AM	#1
IndoorOcean Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 219	Help me with my skimmer! I finally upgraded the skimmer on my tank. For the past two years I've been using a skilter! It's worked fine for me since the tank was originally a FOWLR. Over the past month I've added a few corals and have decided that I really need a better skimmer. I purchased a CPR Bak Pak. Got a great deal on it, but I don't think it has ever been used. Everything seems to be fine except one thing... the powerhead. The powerhead it came with is an Odyssea. It's rated at 320 gph. The problem with it is I can't get it to inject any air bubbles into the chamber of the skimmer. Obviously no foam is going to be produced if there are no air bubbles. I've tried several different things and nothing seems to work. I ran the powerhead alone and it was producing a great stream of microbubbles, but once its hooked to the intake of the skimmer it produces none. Anyone else had a similar problem? Any advice would be appreciated.

02/04/2006, 11:56 AM	#2
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	I am not familiar with that skimmer but try to follow the path that air is supposed to follow. most powerhead fed systems have an air hose either connected to the powerhead inlet or to an orifice in the side of the discharge of the powerhead. the airline might be plugged with salt or may be missing. __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

02/04/2006, 11:59 AM	#3
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	im also not familiar but blow on the tube that lets air in. if bubbles come out no restriction is there. You might try shortening the air inlet tube. If all else fails and when you blow air comes out hook up an air pump with an adjustable valve inline to regulate how much air is injected. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/04/2006, 12:00 PM	#4
IndoorOcean Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 219	The airline is present and is not plugged with anything. Works great when running the powerhead alone... when I hook it up to the skimmer inlet water begins coming out of the airline. __________________ "How would I describe myself? Three words: hard-working, alpha male, jackhammer, merciless, insatiable." - Dwight Schrute Current Tank Info: Without a tank at the moment :(

02/04/2006, 12:05 PM	#5
IndoorOcean Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 219	I used a shorter airline and had the same problem. Running an airpump does work fine but I was hoping to not have to use one. __________________ "How would I describe myself? Three words: hard-working, alpha male, jackhammer, merciless, insatiable." - Dwight Schrute Current Tank Info: Without a tank at the moment :(

02/04/2006, 12:54 PM	#7
LA-Lawman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So.Cal - Ventura County Posts: 303	can u post some pics of the skimmer with the pump attached... __________________ -ben -------- "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." -Confucius Current Tank Info: 180g AGA RR, 3 250w DE 14k , 2 160w VHO actinics, ATI BM250 skimmer,RM media reactor, LifeReef LCR-1 CaRX