Help!! Protein Skimmer leaking!

mdsnlwlsn · Dec 11, 2011

I just set up my tank and turned on the skimmer. at first i thought it was going to explode, it filled up with water really fast. I adjusted the water level all the way down and that helped, but the water level is still almost all the way to the top of the upper chamber and there's no foaming action going on. It also seems to be leaking a little water from the part where the bottom chamber connects to the top of the second chamber where there water level should be at. I don't know if it's broken, if i didn't put it together right, if this is just part of the process, if i need to adjust/connect something?? i just don't know!!!! noob help pleeease!

Zombie · Dec 11, 2011

What Skimmer is it?

mdsnlwlsn · Dec 11, 2011

i don't know, here's a photo. it hangs on the side and theres a little guy inside that takes in the water and tube coming off that with a little guy that takes in the air. i'm really sorry i just am the newest to this-- this is literally the first time i've ever turned this thing on and today was my first day hooking up the tank.

mdsnlwlsn · Dec 11, 2011

you can see the water level coming up into the upper part, and you might be able to see that it's leaking between that red thing and the black compartment below it

MBG75 · Dec 11, 2011

That's a coralife skimmer.
There should be an o-ring between the upper and lower sections

If the skimmer is new, it will take a week to break in and start foaming.

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MBG75 · Dec 11, 2011

Double post...

mdsnlwlsn · Dec 11, 2011

that worked! thank you so much! the leaking still hasn't stopped though. do you know what might be the cause, or what a quick fix may be? i really appreciate the help

MBG75 · Dec 11, 2011

Separate the top and bottom at the red nut, see if the o-ring is in there.

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mdsnlwlsn · Dec 11, 2011

wow you're a lifesaver!! that was the problem, the leak seems to be fixed and the water level is normal. i guess i just have to wait on the foaming. thank you so so much. i'm really glad i joined r2r

MBG75 · Dec 11, 2011

No problem.
Is there bubbles in the skimmer? Don't look like it in the pic.

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Zombie · Dec 11, 2011

I have one of the larger versions of that skimmer.

Instructions
http://c3.f3images.com/IMD/UserManuals/ES33000.pdf

mdsnlwlsn · Dec 12, 2011

no i dont see any bubbles, definitely a bubbling noise though

MBG75 · Dec 12, 2011

There should be bubbles in the lower chamber...like this....

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Dowtish · Dec 12, 2011

you should actually see the bubbles originate in the hose coming from the pump in your tank. if there are small micro bubbles, then you may need to see if the needle wheel impeller is functioning correctly.

tike · Dec 12, 2011

My experience with these skimmers is over time it will leak again,just use plumbers tape on the threads and that will take care of the problem.

mdsnlwlsn · Dec 12, 2011

MBG75 said:
There should be bubbles in the lower chamber...like this....

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hmm.. yea none of those it looks like just regular water. how do i check to see if there's something broken?

Troylee · Dec 12, 2011

You might have the hose pushed to far into the front of the pump... Try pulling it out a little bit... Also blow into the airline and make sure there is no clogs...

robert · Dec 14, 2011

Could it be that the power-head is too deeply submerged in the tank and is not capable of drawing air down that far?

I've never had one of these skimmers - but I had a remora once and tried to hide the pump by extending it deeper into the tank. It couldn't draw air unless the pump was close to the surface.

Just throwing out an idea - I have not idea what I'm talking about.

jai · Apr 12, 2020

mdsnlwlsn said:
I just set up my tank and turned on the skimmer. at first i thought it was going to explode, it filled up with water really fast. I adjusted the water level all the way down and that helped, but the water level is still almost all the way to the top of the upper chamber and there's no foaming action going on. It also seems to be leaking a little water from the part where the bottom chamber connects to the top of the second chamber where there water level should be at. I don't know if it's broken, if i didn't put it together right, if this is just part of the process, if i need to adjust/connect something?? i just don't know!!!! noob help pleeease!