in sump skimmer question

D_Hood87 · 12/28/2008, 12:17 AM

ok i have had this skimmer for almost two years now with no problem, every month i pull it out brake it down and clean it and it goes back in working just fine..but this month when it went back in after cleaning it seems like the drive pump is working over time and it fills the cup up in a matter of seconds its even pushed the top off the cup..i dont know whats wrong with it there hasnt been any changes to the tank and watter chemistry is fine

PH-8.3
ammonia-0
no2-0ppm
no3-5ppm
DKH-10
cal-480
mag-1350
i have been racking my brain all day trying to figure this out..anyone have any ideas??

D_Hood87 · 12/28/2008, 12:46 AM

the skimmer has too much air bubbles in it is what i mean when i say the pump is on over drive

sassafrass · 12/28/2008, 12:47 AM

Some type of contamination was introduced (even a tiny amount )can cause the skimmer to react that way. You can put something under the skimmer to raise it up a little , that should slow it down a little .Then just continue to empty the cup eventually it will slow down , remember to replace the skimmate with premixed saltwater not fresh. You could also run some carbon to speed things up a little.

reefD · 12/28/2008, 12:57 AM

so the setting for the skimmer is set at its lowest possible intake correct? i mean now that its skimming hard youve turned it down and it still is over flooding the cup?

D_Hood87 · 12/28/2008, 12:58 AM

im running carbon and i have brought the skimmer almost all the way out of the water NOTHING slows it down..i guess ill try to just let it work it self out and keep empty out the cup but at this piont my 90gal will be empty by the AM

reefD · 12/28/2008, 01:01 AM

we need to know the brand and type of skimmer. hang on or in sump or external plumming?

sassafrass · 12/28/2008, 01:02 AM

You might try a large water change, I don't know what else to suggest.

D_Hood87 · 12/28/2008, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefD
so the setting for the skimmer is set at its lowest possible intake correct? i mean now that its skimming hard youve turned it down and it still is over flooding the cup?

yes everything possible has been done to tone it down and nothing works

reefD · 12/28/2008, 01:07 AM

is the collection cup collecting straight water or is it colored at all? if it is lower the pump that it is on the skimmer. this reduces its pressure drive. u can lower a skimmer pump so far away from a skimmer that the skimmer stops producing bubbles. lower it until the bubbles produce are proper and not over filling the cup.

is the skimmer producing bubbles that over flood or is it straight water that over floods?

D_Hood87 · 12/28/2008, 01:13 AM

the skimmer is producing bubbles that over flow into the cup and its clear, i have tryed high and low dose not work either way and the skimmer pump says seapro i beleave i cant really read it(bought used two years ago) the collection cup has like a biohazard sign on the top if that helps ID the skimmer

reefD · 12/28/2008, 01:14 AM

so you now have it set at the lowest setting right?

D_Hood87 · 12/28/2008, 01:15 AM

yes

reefD · 12/28/2008, 01:19 AM

ok is the pump your using the origan for the skimmer and or rated for that skimmer

D_Hood87 · 12/28/2008, 01:21 AM

yes the pump is the origan and rated for it(it worked fine for two years untill today)

reefD · 12/28/2008, 01:26 AM

ok now were on the saqme page......id first replace the impeller. trust me it may work. as old as it is a new immpeller is in order. try that first! seriously they can have alot to do with function of a pump.

D_Hood87 · 12/28/2008, 01:29 AM

im going to try that and see what happens..thanks ill let you know how things work out

reefD · 12/28/2008, 01:31 AM

yep i think youll c a difference. ull probably have to order it but regardless it my be an easy fix.

D_Hood87 · 12/28/2008, 11:04 PM

found one today(had to drive 45min to get it but found it)...1000% better. thanks for all your help i would still be lost w/o it...the LFS said that the impeller i had was "chopping" the air that was being drawn in even more

12/28/2008, 12:17 AM	#1
D_Hood87 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 323	in sump skimmer question ok i have had this skimmer for almost two years now with no problem, every month i pull it out brake it down and clean it and it goes back in working just fine..but this month when it went back in after cleaning it seems like the drive pump is working over time and it fills the cup up in a matter of seconds its even pushed the top off the cup..i dont know whats wrong with it there hasnt been any changes to the tank and watter chemistry is fine PH-8.3 ammonia-0 no2-0ppm no3-5ppm DKH-10 cal-480 mag-1350 i have been racking my brain all day trying to figure this out..anyone have any ideas?? __________________ DONALD Current Tank Info: 160gal REBUILD....GOING SPS ALL THE WAY!!!

12/28/2008, 12:46 AM	#2
D_Hood87 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 323	the skimmer has too much air bubbles in it is what i mean when i say the pump is on over drive __________________ DONALD Current Tank Info: 160gal REBUILD....GOING SPS ALL THE WAY!!!

12/28/2008, 12:57 AM	#4
reefD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Schenectady,New York Posts: 4,968	so the setting for the skimmer is set at its lowest possible intake correct? i mean now that its skimming hard youve turned it down and it still is over flooding the cup? __________________ DAVID Current Tank Info: it has four sides and a bottom...oh yeah and it has water in it. lol

12/28/2008, 12:58 AM	#5
D_Hood87 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 323	im running carbon and i have brought the skimmer almost all the way out of the water NOTHING slows it down..i guess ill try to just let it work it self out and keep empty out the cup but at this piont my 90gal will be empty by the AM __________________ DONALD Current Tank Info: 160gal REBUILD....GOING SPS ALL THE WAY!!!

12/28/2008, 01:01 AM	#6
reefD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Schenectady,New York Posts: 4,968	we need to know the brand and type of skimmer. hang on or in sump or external plumming? __________________ DAVID Current Tank Info: it has four sides and a bottom...oh yeah and it has water in it. lol

12/28/2008, 12:47 AM	#3
sassafrass Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: capitola ca Posts: 1,729	Some type of contamination was introduced (even a tiny amount )can cause the skimmer to react that way. You can put something under the skimmer to raise it up a little , that should slow it down a little .Then just continue to empty the cup eventually it will slow down , remember to replace the skimmate with premixed saltwater not fresh. You could also run some carbon to speed things up a little.

12/28/2008, 01:02 AM	#7
sassafrass Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: capitola ca Posts: 1,729	You might try a large water change, I don't know what else to suggest.

12/28/2008, 01:07 AM	#9
reefD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Schenectady,New York Posts: 4,968	is the collection cup collecting straight water or is it colored at all? if it is lower the pump that it is on the skimmer. this reduces its pressure drive. u can lower a skimmer pump so far away from a skimmer that the skimmer stops producing bubbles. lower it until the bubbles produce are proper and not over filling the cup. is the skimmer producing bubbles that over flood or is it straight water that over floods? __________________ DAVID Current Tank Info: it has four sides and a bottom...oh yeah and it has water in it. lol

12/28/2008, 01:13 AM	#10
D_Hood87 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 323	the skimmer is producing bubbles that over flow into the cup and its clear, i have tryed high and low dose not work either way and the skimmer pump says seapro i beleave i cant really read it(bought used two years ago) the collection cup has like a biohazard sign on the top if that helps ID the skimmer __________________ DONALD Current Tank Info: 160gal REBUILD....GOING SPS ALL THE WAY!!!

12/28/2008, 01:14 AM	#11
reefD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Schenectady,New York Posts: 4,968	so you now have it set at the lowest setting right? __________________ DAVID Current Tank Info: it has four sides and a bottom...oh yeah and it has water in it. lol

12/28/2008, 01:15 AM	#12
D_Hood87 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 323	yes __________________ DONALD Current Tank Info: 160gal REBUILD....GOING SPS ALL THE WAY!!!

12/28/2008, 01:19 AM	#13
reefD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Schenectady,New York Posts: 4,968	ok is the pump your using the origan for the skimmer and or rated for that skimmer __________________ DAVID Current Tank Info: it has four sides and a bottom...oh yeah and it has water in it. lol

12/28/2008, 01:21 AM	#14
D_Hood87 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 323	yes the pump is the origan and rated for it(it worked fine for two years untill today) __________________ DONALD Current Tank Info: 160gal REBUILD....GOING SPS ALL THE WAY!!!

12/28/2008, 01:26 AM	#15
reefD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Schenectady,New York Posts: 4,968	ok now were on the saqme page......id first replace the impeller. trust me it may work. as old as it is a new immpeller is in order. try that first! seriously they can have alot to do with function of a pump. __________________ DAVID Current Tank Info: it has four sides and a bottom...oh yeah and it has water in it. lol

12/28/2008, 01:29 AM	#16
D_Hood87 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 323	im going to try that and see what happens..thanks ill let you know how things work out __________________ DONALD Current Tank Info: 160gal REBUILD....GOING SPS ALL THE WAY!!!

12/28/2008, 01:31 AM	#17
reefD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Schenectady,New York Posts: 4,968	yep i think youll c a difference. ull probably have to order it but regardless it my be an easy fix. __________________ DAVID Current Tank Info: it has four sides and a bottom...oh yeah and it has water in it. lol

12/28/2008, 11:04 PM	#18
D_Hood87 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 323	found one today(had to drive 45min to get it but found it)...1000% better. thanks for all your help i would still be lost w/o it...the LFS said that the impeller i had was "chopping" the air that was being drawn in even more __________________ DONALD Current Tank Info: 160gal REBUILD....GOING SPS ALL THE WAY!!!