My protein skimmer pump broke

[jorge0912]

I have an aqua pro urchin protein skimmer works great but the pump isn’t pumping enough water any more for it to skim try to fix the pump but is useless ..
I have a rio 1400 pump in it if I put a bigger pump will my protein skimmer skim more or would it work the same ... I was thinking of also putting a cheaper pump from amazon :/ as I am broke at the moment..

 

[reeftivo]

doubtfull the 400+ gph rating on the rio would work since the skimmer is matched with that body and venturi/injector to perform at 295 gph.

you could try it but i doubt you could tune it to perform.

have you cleaned the injector (unscrew it and soak in vinegar, then scrub and clean out hole)????

that will help greatly if the pump is still pushing water

 

[reeftivo]

if you never cleaned those injectors before be carefull removing because they are small and can plop off and hide some where. also, don't over tighten when you screw it back in or they will drop down into the elbow

 

[jorge0912]

Yes cleaned them and everything the pump is just not throwing the pressure it needs

 

[reeftivo]

get another cobalt MJ1200

ebay 36 bucks or https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/m...b2d5wL8_q1ch4z9W4Vc53xXjuIMOtYnRoC4xwQAvD_BwE

 

[reeftivo]

if funds dont allow and you have to use the 1100 then throttle it back with a tlf valve between the pump and skimmer. two little fishes 1/2 inch valves are cheap and you can find something similar at lowes or HD.