Let's talk skimmer function

Potatohead · Nov 22, 2018

So, I've had my skimmer for about 18 months. It's an Eshopps S120 4th Gen. For the most part it has been ok, but I don't feel like I have ever had it really dialed in, so I am looking for some suggestions.

I cleaned it the other day, I did not clean the inside of the body because I have done that in the past and it takes a few days to break back in again. Now, it just doesn't seem to be working right. I have the valve just about 100% closed and I can still just barely get the water to overflow out of the body when the cup is off. It skims, but only extremely dry. This is not right. The last time I cleaned it it did the same thing. I am certain it is assembled correctly. If you watch some videos for these skimmers they produce a really nice foam in the body, like this video at 1:03

Mine doesn't do that. With mine the air is just kind of rising up out of the bubble plate, I get little rotation out of it and the foam isn't nearly as thick. Now I can't find an actual S120 video, I think all these are the larger models and maybe this small model doesn't quite do that, I don't know. But I am also wondering if it may be related to water level or possible even I don't have enough organics in the water or something, it worked a lot better when I was carbon dosing, but I doubt that would actually create more bubbles. The recommended water depth is 7-9" and I have it at 8 3/4". I have read running it in less water height will create more air but will also probably lower the water level which is already too low now.

Any ideas?

GoVols · Nov 22, 2018

@rkpetersen
Do you have any thoughts?

I've never owned an Eshopps.

theMeat · Nov 22, 2018

Take the pump with air hose attached and put it in 50/50 water / white vinegar. Make sure air hose is under water so you don’t make bubbles and leave it running overnight. Next day disassembled and clean with a brush. Make sure to get inside motor, in cavity where impeller magnet goes, and Venturi hole where hose is connected. Rinse, put back together

rkpetersen · Nov 22, 2018

I run S-200s in two systems, one for about 2 years, the other 1 year. I've never encountered what you're describing. In fact I have to raise mine off the floor of the sump a bit to keep them in the proper range for the water level control dial, otherwise I get too much foam production, even with the gate wide open. The air shouldn't just bubble out the plate, you should see swirling milky white water, not see the plate at all, and you have to look closely to see the individual bubbles. As theMeat indicates, it sounds like maybe your pump isn't working right, isn't mixing air and water properly. His suggestion could fix things but if you've had the problem from the start it could just be a bad pump. If you wanted to post a short youtube video of your skimmer in operation, including a look at the silencer, venturi and outflow gate, it might be helpful. I'm certain though that your issue has nothing to do with the level of dissolved organics or whether or not you're carbon dosing.

Potatohead · Nov 23, 2018

Ok thanks for the input guys. Before I read Meat’s post I did just that, I pulled it out and ran it in 50/50 water/vinegar for about 90 minutes. I then started taking it apart to clean the whole thing and when I pulled the airline off the venturi, the nipple came with it

. So then I thought ok, maybe it was sucking water through there. I glued it back in place into the venturi and let it sit while I cleaned the skimmer. Also when I pulled the pump out I found more chaeto in there even though it’s upstream of my fuge and I only cleaned it two days ago, so this is becoming a problem so I cut a piece of sponge to put over the venturi for now. I may get a rollermat to deal with this stuff.

Anyway when I got it back in holy smokes it is making like triple the air production. So I think it was most definitely pulling water in through the air nipple/venturi connection ;Facepalm