Help with Skimmer - please

J

jfmkem82

Member
Hi all,

Still learning my way around the hobby. I have a Coral Life skimmer that was part of a 75 gal reef system I bought from another hobbyist. I recognize that it may not be the highest end brand, but its what I got.....

I have it hooked up, but I'm not getting any bubbling in skimmer nor foam in the collection cup.

I can blow air thru the air silencer chamber so I know its not clogged. The water flow adjustment is working fine and I can adjust the level in the skimmer.

Am I just being too inpatient? Does it take time for bubbles to develop?

Any info / assistance is appreciated.
 
Break in period?I dont believe that.All skimmers I have had start skimming since minute 1 or at least bubbling.something must be wrong.
 
You need some organic matter for it to foam but you should be getting some bubbles in the chamber. You sure you are using a pinwheel impeller?
 
I haven't modified anything. The guy I bought the set up from was using it prior to me buying it and it was working then. Tank has been up and running for about 4 weeks now so I figure I should have organics in there by now.

Is the tubing that runs from the venturi chamber on the pump up to the air inlet silencer meant to suck in the air? I can blow on that tubing and push air both ways so I know there is no blockage. The pump is moving water and I can adjust the water level in the skimmer by dialing the valve opened or closed.

Everything seems to right except I get no microbubbles or foam.
 
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Take pics of the venturi so we can see how it works im not familiar with that model so a pic will help
 
jfmkem82 said:
I haven't modified anything. The guy I bought the set up from was using it prior to me buying it and it was working then. Tank has been up and running for about 4 weeks now so I figure I should have organics in there by now.

Is the tubing that runs from the venturi chamber on the pump up to the air inlet silencer meant to suck in the air? I can blow on that tubing and push air both ways so I know there is no blockage. The pump is moving water and I can adjust the water level in the skimmer by dialing the valve opened or closed.

Everything seems to right except I get no microbubbles or foam.
Click to expand...

What happens if you block the air inlet on the silencer? If it's sucking in air ok, the water level in the chamber should go up. If that does not happen then the pump is just moving water. In that case, I would guess that you do not have a needle wheel impeller in the pump. It could also mean that the pump is dying. That Coralife skimmer that you have is a rebadged Boyu skimmer. It's not a good skimmer. You should upgrade.
 
If I block the air inlet on the silencer, nothing different happens. Water level does not change. The pump is the one that came with the skimmer, so I can only assume that it has the proper impeller.

If I obstruct the pump intake on the outside of the venturi chamber, then it causes turbulence in the chamber and I do get bubbles forming, but as soon as I remove my finger the bubbles subside and disappear.

Can someone suggest a better skimmer that won't break the bank.
 
No micro bubbles at all?

If so, the pump is not getting any air into it.

PS, if that's the Coralife 65 , that skimmer is fine for a lot of applications. Once you get it figured out I think you'll be surprised how much it can export.
 
Check the venturi for salt creep. I regularly need to clean it to improve airflow. Does the impeller look like a needle wheel? Post that pic so we can see and help.
 
Thanks to everyone who posted suggestions and ideas. I left the skimmer plugged in and managed to get a modest amount of microbubbles and some foam in the collection cup, but the pump is awfully loud. I may just end up getting a new pump.
 
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