Skimmer issue

msbreton · 12/08/2021, 11:23 AM

I've had the Reef Octopus eSsence S-130 Protein Skimmer running in my sump without issue for about 2.5 years. Over the past few months, I've had an issue where is starts to break higher and higher in to the neck. I adjust and within a few days its back to breaking too high. I've raised the skimmer and or lowered the water level and all will be good for a few days and then it's back to adjusting to keep it breaking at the right spot until I can't adjust anymore. I can't raise the skimmer or lower the water level anymore as I'm at the minimum operating level now. I've taken the whole thing apart and cleaned it.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

-Mike

Vinny Kreyling · 12/08/2021, 05:17 PM

Could it possibly be undersized since the tank has matured?

msbreton · 12/08/2021, 05:24 PM

I don't think so. In fact, the bioload has decreased over the past 2 years. Phosphate and nitrate levels run near 0.

-Mike

blowmecius · 12/09/2021, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msbreton

I've taken the whole thing apart and cleaned it.

I suspect you missed something. I would recheck the Venturi, hose and silencer for an obstruction.

msbreton · 12/09/2021, 09:26 AM

Thanks. I tear it about again tonight and give it another once over. The silencer is built in to the neck so it is possible there's some salt creep up in there I missed.

msbreton · 12/09/2021, 01:40 PM

I think I have it figured out. The gears in the adjustment arm sometimes "miss" and thus the dial gets out of sync with the open/close level. After a while, the dial gets maxed out even though there's still room to adjust. I can work around it but I think I'll just replace the entire adjustment arm.

Thanks...

12/08/2021, 11:23 AM	#1
msbreton Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 138	Skimmer issue I've had the Reef Octopus eSsence S-130 Protein Skimmer running in my sump without issue for about 2.5 years. Over the past few months, I've had an issue where is starts to break higher and higher in to the neck. I adjust and within a few days its back to breaking too high. I've raised the skimmer and or lowered the water level and all will be good for a few days and then it's back to adjusting to keep it breaking at the right spot until I can't adjust anymore. I can't raise the skimmer or lower the water level anymore as I'm at the minimum operating level now. I've taken the whole thing apart and cleaned it. Any suggestions? Thanks! -Mike __________________ Tank Info:75gal mixed reef-134lbs LR & 40lbs sand, Eshopps PF-1000 overflow, RS-1000 sump (20gal), Fuge (10g), Reef Octopus eSsence S-130 Skimmer, Reef Tec 400 pump, Aqua 25w UV, VorTech MP40wES, 2 Ra Last edited by msbreton; 12/08/2021 at 11:29 AM.

12/08/2021, 05:17 PM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Could it possibly be undersized since the tank has matured? __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

12/08/2021, 05:24 PM	#3
msbreton Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 138	I don't think so. In fact, the bioload has decreased over the past 2 years. Phosphate and nitrate levels run near 0. -Mike __________________ Tank Info:75gal mixed reef-134lbs LR & 40lbs sand, Eshopps PF-1000 overflow, RS-1000 sump (20gal), Fuge (10g), Reef Octopus eSsence S-130 Skimmer, Reef Tec 400 pump, Aqua 25w UV, VorTech MP40wES, 2 Ra

12/09/2021, 09:26 AM	#5
msbreton Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 138	Thanks. I tear it about again tonight and give it another once over. The silencer is built in to the neck so it is possible there's some salt creep up in there I missed. __________________ Tank Info:75gal mixed reef-134lbs LR & 40lbs sand, Eshopps PF-1000 overflow, RS-1000 sump (20gal), Fuge (10g), Reef Octopus eSsence S-130 Skimmer, Reef Tec 400 pump, Aqua 25w UV, VorTech MP40wES, 2 Ra

12/09/2021, 01:40 PM	#6
msbreton Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 138	I think I have it figured out. The gears in the adjustment arm sometimes "miss" and thus the dial gets out of sync with the open/close level. After a while, the dial gets maxed out even though there's still room to adjust. I can work around it but I think I'll just replace the entire adjustment arm. Thanks... __________________ Tank Info:75gal mixed reef-134lbs LR & 40lbs sand, Eshopps PF-1000 overflow, RS-1000 sump (20gal), Fuge (10g), Reef Octopus eSsence S-130 Skimmer, Reef Tec 400 pump, Aqua 25w UV, VorTech MP40wES, 2 Ra