Skimmer not skimming

[Kaman8]

My skimmer suddenly stop skimming. I am not getting any foam, it just doesnt push anything up the skimcup and is pushing the water harder to the outflow and makes me get many microbubbles now. It was skimming well before and i am using my skimmer for 2 1/2 months now. Is my skimmer broken? I have a Hydor slim skim nano.

[Uncle Salty 05]

The air inductor is most likely clogged.
Unplug the skimmer, remove the air inductor and soak it in vinegar for an hour.
Run something through the hole to make sure it is cleared and replace it.
It should start skimming normally afterward.

[whosurcaddie]

Originally Posted by uncle salty 05

the air inductor is most likely clogged.
Unplug the skimmer, remove the air inductor and soak it in vinegar for an hour.
Run something through the hole to make sure it is cleared and replace it.
It should start skimming normally afterward.

+1

[Kaman8]

Originally Posted by Uncle Salty 05

The air inductor is most likely clogged.
Unplug the skimmer, remove the air inductor and soak it in vinegar for an hour.
Run something through the hole to make sure it is cleared and replace it.
It should start skimming normally afterward.

what is the air inductor? Do i need to place the whole skimmer in vinegar???

[Uncle Salty 05]

On the pump there is a small nipple that the air line slips over.
That is the air inductor.

[Kaman8]

Originally Posted by Uncle Salty 05

On the pump there is a small nipple that the air line slips over.
That is the air inductor.

i found it ......i think. It's the small nipple that the air tube is plugged in???

[Uncle Salty 05]

Yes.

[Kaman8]

Originally Posted by Uncle Salty 05

Yes.

i took it all apart and i can't see any dirt in it, but i am soaking it in vinegar now and will see if it will start skimming 1 hour later.

[Uncle Salty 05]

Make sure the air line and impeller are clean as well. While you have it apart.

[julie180]

Soaking the entire pump in vinegar won't hurt.

[Kaman8]

Originally Posted by Uncle Salty 05

Make sure the air line and impeller are clean as well. While you have it apart.

i put everything of the skimmer in the bucket with vinegar. Is 1 hour enough? or should i soak it overnight.

[Shaummy]

If you can blow through the airline without any perceived resistance, then you are good to go. If you put the whole skimmer in the vinegar, be prepared that it may have a small mini-break in period when you put it back in, but you should get good bubble action in the skimmer body.

[Kaman8]

Originally Posted by Shaummy

If you can blow through the airline without any perceived resistance, then you are good to go. If you put the whole skimmer in the vinegar, be prepared that it may have a small mini-break in period when you put it back in, but you should get good bubble action in the skimmer body.

I just found a new airline ........so i replaced the airline now. Skimmer soaked for 2 hours now and already put back in the tank. It's still not skimming. So the problem is not the airline, because it's new. Shall i soak the skimmer longer? Or wait a day longer and see if it will start skimming? The skimmer is just 2 1/2 months old ........hope it is not broken.

[Uncle Salty 05]

Have you added anything unusual lately?
Super glued a frag or something?
Are there lots og bubbles in the reaction chamber?

[fifthtoe]

How long has it stopped skimming? A few hours, days? Sometimes if I put my arm in my tank, it will stop skimming for a while. If I'm wearing lotion, it will stop skimming for many hours. I super glued a bunch of stuff in the tank and it didn't skim for almost a half day. Feeding fatty foods will also affect the skimmer. If it's only been a few hours, I would just wait it out. However, your skimmer may have to go through another break in since you removed it cleaned everything.

[Shaummy]

1) Are there bubbles in the reaction chamber at all?
2) I assume there is water exiting the skimmer?


1a) If there are no small bubbles in the reaction chamber, then the air is still not getting drawn into the pump/skimmer i.e. something is blocked.

1b) If there are small bubbles in your reaction chamber, then the air is getting through, and the water level may need to be adjusted..or it just needs some time to build up foam.

2) If there is water exiting the skimmer, make sure it is at the rate you expect. Sometimes a weak/dying skimmer pump (or impeller) can slow to a point where it can't produce good bubbles.

[Kaman8]

Originally Posted by Uncle Salty 05

Have you added anything unusual lately?
Super glued a frag or something?
Are there lots og bubbles in the reaction chamber?

I did add some prime for my top off water, but I am using prime for a long time and my skimmer never stop skimming . Also put something in to cover the wave maker , because my nem was walking.

[Kaman8]

Originally Posted by fifthtoe

How long has it stopped skimming? A few hours, days? Sometimes if I put my arm in my tank, it will stop skimming for a while. If I'm wearing lotion, it will stop skimming for many hours. I super glued a bunch of stuff in the tank and it didn't skim for almost a half day. Feeding fatty foods will also affect the skimmer. If it's only been a few hours, I would just wait it out. However, your skimmer may have to go through another break in since you removed it cleaned everything.

Stop skimming for 1 day now. Another break in, does it mean that need 2 weeks to break in again? Or would it be faster this time?

[Kaman8]

Originally Posted by Shaummy

1) Are there bubbles in the reaction chamber at all?
2) I assume there is water exiting the skimmer?


1a) If there are no small bubbles in the reaction chamber, then the air is still not getting drawn into the pump/skimmer i.e. something is blocked.

1b) If there are small bubbles in your reaction chamber, then the air is getting through, and the water level may need to be adjusted..or it just needs some time to build up foam.

2) If there is water exiting the skimmer, make sure it is at the rate you expect. Sometimes a weak/dying skimmer pump (or impeller) can slow to a point where it can't produce good bubbles.

After I have soaked it in vinegar, I am seeing lot more bubbles in the reaction chamber, but it's still not skimming and still not getting any foam.

[Uncle Salty 05]

Originally Posted by Kaman8

I did add some prime for my top off water, but I am using prime for a long time and my skimmer never stop skimming . Also put something in to cover the wave maker , because my nem was walking.

What did you put in to cover the wave maker?

[Shaummy]

Originally Posted by Kaman8

After I have soaked it in vinegar, I am seeing lot more bubbles in the reaction chamber, but it's still not skimming and still not getting any foam.

I don't know what kind of skimmer this is.....but if you are getting bubbles, then your air/inlet is probably good now..If the water level inside the skimmer is adjusted to the proper height, it just may take some time for the inside of the skimmer to coat back up..and will start producing foam.

[Kaman8]

Originally Posted by Shaummy

I don't know what kind of skimmer this is.....but if you are getting bubbles, then your air/inlet is probably good now..If the water level inside the skimmer is adjusted to the proper height, it just may take some time for the inside of the skimmer to coat back up..and will start producing foam.

I have a Hydor slim skim nano. How long will the mini break in take?

[Kaman8]

skimmer still not foaming

[Uncle Salty 05]

Give it a week.
Post a pic if you can.

[Kaman8]

Originally Posted by Uncle Salty 05

Give it a week.
Post a pic if you can.

Will post pic tomorrow.
My lfs just got a rbta and safe it for me. Is it a good idea to put it in the tank now my skimmer is down?