Newbie here, is my skimmer missing something?

[sreed07]

Working on getting my first tank going. I bought a lot of used equipment at a good price that all seems to be in great shape, however, I feel my skimmer is missing a piece. It’s a Bubble-magus C3.5. There a tube coming down from the top that I have no idea where it connects to at the bottom. Would appreciate some input! Thanks!

 

[Nanoreefboi]

Is there a pump at the bottom? Just look underneath it.

 

[sreed07]

There is a pump

 

[sreed07]

Is there a pump at the bottom? Just look underneath it.

Yeah there is a pump

 

[TriggerFinger]

That tube looks like a drain hose for the collection cup. You can plug it or run it into a container to collect skimmate.

 

[Pistondog]

the line supplies air into the pump to create the bubbles.
There should be a fitting on the pump to relieve the air line.

Edit, yes thats a drain line, the air line is the black one on the other side

 

[sreed07]

the line supplies air into the pump to create the bubbles.
There should be a fitting on the pump to relieve the air line.

Don’t have a fitting for that, is there a way I can retro fit something like that? Is it normal for the air to come from the skimmer bucket?

 

[Pistondog]

Don’t have a fitting for that, is there a way I can retro fit something like that? Is it normal for the air to come from the skimmer bucket?

See my edit, thats a drain hose for skimmate collection into an external bucket

 

[fishguy242]

looks like missing venturi ,fitting? def hose,can see hole in lower body where should come up

 

[Peace River]

You may find this video helpful:

 

[sreed07]

You may find this video helpful:

That does help thank you!

 

[sreed07]

So it looks like I’m missing the air intake line and fitting for the pump.

 

[Peace River]

So it looks like I’m missing the air intake line and fitting for the pump.

The white venturi intake adapter that fits onto the pump will likely be product specific and may be a challenge to find (I did a quick search with no luck) if you don't have it. The air tube that connects to it should be a bit easier to find once you can determine the size.

 

[sreed07]

The white venturi intake adapter that fits onto the pump will likely be product specific and may be a challenge to find (I did a quick search with no luck) if you don't have it. The air tube that connects to it should be a bit easier to find once you can determine the size.

Haha I actually found the exact Venturi fitting, sp1000 pump. But I can’t find a hose. Does it have to be something special? I think I saw the have a silencer at the tip?

 

[Peace River]

Haha I actually found the exact Venturi fitting, sp1000 pump. But I can’t find a hose. Does it have to be something special? I think I saw the have a silencer at the tip?

I run several Reef Octopus skimmers so my comments are based on general skimmer knowledge and not on that specific model. As long as you find the right size hose it should work (they are often silicone). Although the air silencer would be preferable it should work without it.