Skimmer stopped producing skimmate?

jrod11 · 02/03/2009, 01:42 PM

I have an ASM G3 skimmer that was running fine and producing lots of skimmate.

I noticed about a week ago that without adjusting the skimmer, the levels of the bubbles in the chamber completely lowered and now I am getting virtually no skimmate.

I still have the same amount of fish bio load. I am afraid that if i adjust the skimmer level that it may kick up again and then overflow out the collection cup. Any ideas?

WinnipegDragon · 02/03/2009, 01:47 PM

How often do you clean the skimmer? Could be a problem with the air line too...

seapug · 02/03/2009, 02:05 PM

+1^^ Start by making sure there's not a kink in the air intake line. If that's not the issue, stick the air intake line in a glass of RO water and let it suck it through. This can help dissolve any salt creep that might have built up inside the line. If that doesn't do the trick, take it out and give the whole thing a good cleaning.

Jeff · 02/03/2009, 02:06 PM

I agree about it being the airline. Clean out the airline and volute and I bet you will see a huge difference.

jrod11 · 02/03/2009, 03:17 PM

Thanks for the input!! I am doing a huge maintenance/tank cleaning this weekend and will use all the suggestions listed here. Thanks!

jrod11 · 02/03/2009, 03:18 PM

Oh I forgot to add-

Should i maybe use vinegar in the intake and other parts?

seapug · 02/03/2009, 03:56 PM

Running the skimmer in a bucket of a 1:5 vinegar/water mixture for an hour or so is a great way to give it a thorough cleaning.

indydog1 · 02/03/2009, 04:58 PM

just run it seperate from your tank if you use vinegar.

02/03/2009, 01:42 PM	#1
jrod11 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 347	Skimmer stopped producing skimmate? I have an ASM G3 skimmer that was running fine and producing lots of skimmate. I noticed about a week ago that without adjusting the skimmer, the levels of the bubbles in the chamber completely lowered and now I am getting virtually no skimmate. I still have the same amount of fish bio load. I am afraid that if i adjust the skimmer level that it may kick up again and then overflow out the collection cup. Any ideas?

02/03/2009, 01:47 PM	#2
WinnipegDragon Canuckian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,276	How often do you clean the skimmer? Could be a problem with the air line too... __________________ Working on a neeew tank! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25596043

02/03/2009, 02:05 PM	#3
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	+1^^ Start by making sure there's not a kink in the air intake line. If that's not the issue, stick the air intake line in a glass of RO water and let it suck it through. This can help dissolve any salt creep that might have built up inside the line. If that doesn't do the trick, take it out and give the whole thing a good cleaning. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

02/03/2009, 02:06 PM	#4
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,907	I agree about it being the airline. Clean out the airline and volute and I bet you will see a huge difference. __________________ Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine 20

02/03/2009, 03:56 PM	#7
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	Running the skimmer in a bucket of a 1:5 vinegar/water mixture for an hour or so is a great way to give it a thorough cleaning. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

02/03/2009, 03:17 PM	#5
jrod11 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 347	Thanks for the input!! I am doing a huge maintenance/tank cleaning this weekend and will use all the suggestions listed here. Thanks!

02/03/2009, 03:18 PM	#6
jrod11 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 347	Oh I forgot to add- Should i maybe use vinegar in the intake and other parts?

02/03/2009, 04:58 PM	#8
indydog1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: round lake, il Posts: 1,590	just run it seperate from your tank if you use vinegar. __________________ Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself Current Tank Info: 210 gal