Foam does not rise-Aquamaxx Cone CO-3

[dragonfisher33]

having the hardest time using this particular skimmer. i let it run at 8.5 inches of water and for some reason the foam only rises occasionally to the top of the neck (typically after my water change). even when the foam rises to the top of the neck, it was temporarily. the bubbles eventually just breaks and my collection cup is only collecting the condensation of the aquarium water.

i have cleaning the skimmer a few time already using vinegar. so i don't think it's an issue of oil. i have also let it run for a ~1month, so it should be broken in already.

anyone with any idea?

 

[sbash]

I have this skimmer, and it probably took me close to a year to get it dialed in. The biggest problem I had is the bubbles not getting into the collection cup, so I would have nice dry skimmate in the neck.

First, stop cleaning it. It will work better 'dirty'. The motor still needs to be maintained, and if the bubble 'jets' get gunked up, you will need to give it a rinse. Otherwise, cleaning it with vinegar is just slowing down the break in period.

Open the valve all the way, this should get you to the state you are in. Slowly close the valve until the bubbles are just hitting the top of the centre chamber (barely flowing into the cup).

If you can close the valve all the way, it is either not broken in, or needs to be deeper in the water. However, at 8-ish inches, you should be fine.

If you are impatient, you can do the opposite, but take the lid off the cup first. Close the valve all the way, it should then overflow. Open the valve until the bubbles drop to the point of barely getting into the cup.

That said, what is your tank size, and how many fish do you have?

 

[dragonfisher33]

My display tank is 150gallon plus 40B sump. At this moment, 5 fishes: 2 clowns, 1 pearly jawfish, 1 dwarf puffer, 1 royal gramma

 

[sbash]

So, that is a pretty low bio load... When did you last wash it with vinegar?

 

[tvu]

My CO-3 is a beast. Broke in quickly and easy to dial in. I've only rinsed with water and never vinegar tho and my fish load was higher

Picture was taken right after cleaning the collection cup and powering back on.

3 days worth of dry skimming

 

[sbash]

My CO-3 is a beast. Broke in quickly and easy to dial in. I've only rinsed with water and never vinegar tho and my fish load was higher

Exactly... I suspect it took me so long because my bio load is small, like Ops.

 

[dragonfisher33]

So, that is a pretty low bio load... When did you last wash it with vinegar?

3 days ago

 

[Forsaken77]

3 days ago

You only need to use vinegar before the very first time you use it, or you have calcerous algae growing in the body. You also remove the rubber o-ring when you use vinegar or it'll dry it out.

Just out of curiosity, why did you get this older model when they just released a new updated model that's cheaper, uses the same pumps, is more refined, tall 1-piece wine bottle shape, adjustable air silencer, titanium screws, and takes up less space? The new model is more like your model and less like the Q-series. It's also $120 cheaper! Check it out...

https://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMax...uariums_Reefs-AquaMaxx-UJ94650-FIPSIS-vi.html

 

[dragonfisher33]

You only need to use vinegar before the very first time you use it, or you have calcerous algae growing in the body. You also remove the rubber o-ring when you use vinegar or it'll dry it out.

Just out of curiosity, why did you get this older model when they just released a new updated model that's cheaper, uses the same pumps, is more refined, tall 1-piece wine bottle shape, adjustable air silencer, titanium screws, and takes up less space? The new model is more like your model and less like the Q-series. It's also $120 cheaper! Check it out...

https://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMax...uariums_Reefs-AquaMaxx-UJ94650-FIPSIS-vi.html

thank you for the suggestions. the reason why it appears to be an older model is because i was stashing up the equipment for the tank for some time. by the time everything got in line (and a newborn), it's already 1.5yr later.....