Custom GEO skimmer with Oceanrunner 3500 Troubleshoot

Logzor · 01/20/2011, 08:38 AM

I am trying to help my brother-in-law figure out what is going on with his skimmer. The skimmer uses a custom GEO body (4 ft tall) and two Oceanrunner 3500 pumps.

The skimmer pump pushes water but creates zero bubbles. There is no air suction from the air line tubing, which he says is totally clear.

The entire system has been run in vinegar and is completely free of any calcification or other debris.

He sent me pictures of every component of the skimmer (which I will post later on today). The impeller looks like it is in OK shape, even if it was damaged it should create at least a few bubbles.

This leads me to believe the issue is with the airline tubing. By the look of his pictures the airline is a sort of DIY job where it goes down into a piece of PVC that connects to the end of the pump. It looks just like the connection at the end of my skimmer pump, just DIY.

Is there something obvious that I am missing here? Why wouldn't the pump be sucking in air? Any help would be appreciated. This might be easier later on when I get pictures posted.

RokleM · 01/20/2011, 11:28 AM

Pictures would indeed help. Can you blow into the air tube when it's running?

Logzor · 01/20/2011, 01:45 PM

He's out in Phoenix and way too busy to post so I am trying to help him figure this out. I asked him to blow into the inlet.

ToddG. · 01/20/2011, 02:24 PM

maybe a stupid question but is that fresh or salt water bubbles look kinda big for salt water if so your not going to get much bubbles looks like couple pins are missing on impellor id do a meesh mod on them take pump off and try to run it without skimmer and mess with the air hose and venturi maybe you can figure out whats going on with it

Logzor · 01/20/2011, 02:49 PM

He has ran it in saltwater with just the pump and it produces practically zero bubbles.

sirreal63 · 01/20/2011, 03:18 PM

It is an issue with the venturi, it is not sucking air. I would need to see the inside of it, but it should only flow correctly in one direction, if it is turned around, it may not create the pressure to draw air in.

mojo~ · 01/20/2011, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirreal63

It is an issue with the venturi, it is not sucking air. I would need to see the inside of it, but it should only flow correctly in one direction, if it is turned around, it may not create the pressure to draw air in.

agree. While its running can you blow air in the airline ?

Logzor · 01/20/2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojo~

agree. While its running can you blow air in the airline ?

Negative, this is what he said: Nope. Basically little or no bubble reaction. Also you can feel the pressure in your head which indicates to me the air is not getting in.

BigRick · 01/20/2011, 05:56 PM

Seems there might be a blockage in the venturi

01/20/2011, 08:38 AM	#1
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	Custom GEO skimmer with Oceanrunner 3500 Troubleshoot I am trying to help my brother-in-law figure out what is going on with his skimmer. The skimmer uses a custom GEO body (4 ft tall) and two Oceanrunner 3500 pumps. The skimmer pump pushes water but creates zero bubbles. There is no air suction from the air line tubing, which he says is totally clear. The entire system has been run in vinegar and is completely free of any calcification or other debris. He sent me pictures of every component of the skimmer (which I will post later on today). The impeller looks like it is in OK shape, even if it was damaged it should create at least a few bubbles. This leads me to believe the issue is with the airline tubing. By the look of his pictures the airline is a sort of DIY job where it goes down into a piece of PVC that connects to the end of the pump. It looks just like the connection at the end of my skimmer pump, just DIY. Is there something obvious that I am missing here? Why wouldn't the pump be sucking in air? Any help would be appreciated. This might be easier later on when I get pictures posted.

01/20/2011, 11:28 AM	#2
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	Pictures would indeed help. Can you blow into the air tube when it's running? __________________ -Eric-

01/20/2011, 03:18 PM	#6
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	It is an issue with the venturi, it is not sucking air. I would need to see the inside of it, but it should only flow correctly in one direction, if it is turned around, it may not create the pressure to draw air in. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

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01/20/2011, 02:24 PM	#4
ToddG. Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 663	maybe a stupid question but is that fresh or salt water bubbles look kinda big for salt water if so your not going to get much bubbles looks like couple pins are missing on impellor id do a meesh mod on them take pump off and try to run it without skimmer and mess with the air hose and venturi maybe you can figure out whats going on with it

01/20/2011, 02:49 PM	#5
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	He has ran it in saltwater with just the pump and it produces practically zero bubbles.

01/20/2011, 05:56 PM	#9
BigRick Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 64	Seems there might be a blockage in the venturi