Protein skimmer not working

Billionzz · 07/05/2006, 09:22 AM

I have a skimmer that looks pretty close to this one.

http://i7.ebayimg.com/01/i/06/bb/14/f0_1.JPG

It used to be that if you opened the valve from the pump to the skimmer all of the way it would just overfill the skimmer in seconds.

But now I can open it all of the way and I can't even get the bubbles up to where they need to be to skim.

Does anybody have any suggestions for me as to how to fix this?

Thanks,
Bill

marinelife · 07/05/2006, 09:49 AM

Clean the pump

Billionzz · 07/05/2006, 09:55 AM

The flow to the skimmer is a line off of the main return pump. It apppears that return flow is very good.

Is this what you meant when you said "clean the pump" - meaning the skimming wasn't working because of poor flow?

Thanks,
Bill

marinelife · 07/05/2006, 10:06 AM

yeah sounds like it was the pump since you can open it all the way, the the feed line clogged

Billionzz · 07/05/2006, 10:10 AM

ok I will try that

Thanks,

If for some reason thats not it, would there be something else you might look at?

Billionzz · 07/05/2006, 09:28 PM

Does anybody else have any other ideas as to why this skimmer may not be working.

Thanks,
Bill

NaH2Ofreak · 07/05/2006, 09:49 PM

I'm not real familiar with that type of skimmer but, I would assume that the John Guest fitting next to the injector is what controls the air intake right? Make sure that that is good and clean.

Dennis

ADA33 · 07/05/2006, 09:54 PM

can low SG be a possible cause

Billionzz · 07/05/2006, 10:32 PM

Dennis

It has a screw on airstone but I would think that if it's unscrewed the flow would pick up, is this right?

Denny

SG?

outy · 07/06/2006, 01:21 AM

you have a gate valve to control water hieght and the as long as the air intake is clean you should have bubbles now it needs to break in

the pump should go to the skimmer full blast and the gate valve should adjust water hieght not gate valve inbetween pump and skimmer

Billionzz · 07/06/2006, 01:27 AM

Thanks,

I was adjusting the skimmer flow with the valve between the pump and the skimmer.

Hal · 07/06/2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

can low SG be a possible cause

Well, even though it appears a solution was found, the answer is yes. That's why you don't see protein skimmers on freshwater tanks.

RichConley · 07/06/2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hal
Well, even though it appears a solution was found, the answer is yes. That's why you don't see protein skimmers on freshwater tanks.

Thats not true either. Theyre actually quite common on Koi ponds.

example:
http://www.tmc-ltd.co.uk/pond/schuran-jetskim.asp

turtlespd · 07/06/2006, 11:54 AM

You need to remove the beckett injector, break it down and soak it mildly in vinager and water. When you open it you will most likely see debris which has cause you to have issues witht the injector.

Billionzz · 07/06/2006, 12:14 PM

Is the beckett injector the whole assembly where the screw on air stone is attached?

turtlespd · 07/06/2006, 01:09 PM

yes the black thing inside the tube!

Billionzz · 07/06/2006, 01:14 PM

Got it.

Thanks for everyones help,

Bill

07/05/2006, 09:22 AM	#1
Billionzz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 158	Protein skimmer not working I have a skimmer that looks pretty close to this one. http://i7.ebayimg.com/01/i/06/bb/14/f0_1.JPG It used to be that if you opened the valve from the pump to the skimmer all of the way it would just overfill the skimmer in seconds. But now I can open it all of the way and I can't even get the bubbles up to where they need to be to skim. Does anybody have any suggestions for me as to how to fix this? Thanks, Bill

07/05/2006, 09:49 AM	#2
marinelife Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,590	Clean the pump __________________ I'm a SaltGeek are You? All LED since 2010. Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.

07/05/2006, 10:06 AM	#4
marinelife Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,590	yeah sounds like it was the pump since you can open it all the way, the the feed line clogged __________________ I'm a SaltGeek are You? All LED since 2010. Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.

07/05/2006, 09:55 AM	#3
Billionzz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 158	The flow to the skimmer is a line off of the main return pump. It apppears that return flow is very good. Is this what you meant when you said "clean the pump" - meaning the skimming wasn't working because of poor flow? Thanks, Bill

07/05/2006, 10:10 AM	#5
Billionzz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 158	ok I will try that Thanks, If for some reason thats not it, would there be something else you might look at?

07/05/2006, 09:28 PM	#6
Billionzz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 158	Does anybody else have any other ideas as to why this skimmer may not be working. Thanks, Bill

07/05/2006, 09:49 PM	#7
NaH2Ofreak Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,468	I'm not real familiar with that type of skimmer but, I would assume that the John Guest fitting next to the injector is what controls the air intake right? Make sure that that is good and clean. Dennis

07/05/2006, 09:54 PM	#8
ADA33 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 3,131	can low SG be a possible cause

07/05/2006, 10:32 PM	#9
Billionzz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 158	Dennis It has a screw on airstone but I would think that if it's unscrewed the flow would pick up, is this right? Denny SG?

07/06/2006, 01:21 AM	#10
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	you have a gate valve to control water hieght and the as long as the air intake is clean you should have bubbles now it needs to break in the pump should go to the skimmer full blast and the gate valve should adjust water hieght not gate valve inbetween pump and skimmer

07/06/2006, 01:27 AM	#11
Billionzz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 158	Thanks, I was adjusting the skimmer flow with the valve between the pump and the skimmer.

07/06/2006, 11:54 AM	#14
turtlespd Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rosemead,CA Posts: 2,090	You need to remove the beckett injector, break it down and soak it mildly in vinager and water. When you open it you will most likely see debris which has cause you to have issues witht the injector.

07/06/2006, 12:14 PM	#15
Billionzz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 158	Is the beckett injector the whole assembly where the screw on air stone is attached?

07/06/2006, 01:09 PM	#16
turtlespd Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rosemead,CA Posts: 2,090	yes the black thing inside the tube!

07/06/2006, 01:14 PM	#17
Billionzz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 158	Got it. Thanks for everyones help, Bill