Octopus SSS-3000 int not bubling

[Sweegin]

my skimmer is the reef octopus SSS-3000 int. It is not bubbling and I took apart and checked everything and cleaned the plastic disc etc and nothing is broke. Put back together and still nothing. Any suggestions is my pump no good? My skimmer is about 8 years old and I have never had issues until now.

Any help would be great!

 

[Peace River]

That is a really nice skimmer! You may try pouring hot water down the air line (white tube).

 

[twentyleagues]

That is a really nice skimmer! You may try pouring hot water down the air line (white tube).

Agree try cleaning the venturi.

 

[Sweegin]

Agree try cleaning the venturi.

I tried that this morning and still nothing. Just fills with water and no bubbles.

 

[Sweegin]

That is a really nice skimmer! You may try pouring hot water down the air line (white tube).

I tried that this morning and still nothing. Just fills with water and no bubbles.

 

[Peace River]

The next step may be to take the skimmer apart, clean, and reassemble with a focus on the air line and vortex part of the assembly. Make sure that there is a good connection where the vortex section connects to the pump, a good connection with the air line, and no holes or leaks in the air line.

 

[Sweegin]

The next step may be to take the skimmer apart, clean, and reassemble with a focus on the air line and vortex part of the assembly. Make sure that there is a good connection where the vortex section connects to the pump, a good connection with the air line, and no holes or leaks in the air line.

Hello again. I took it all apart and cleaned with pouring hot water down the air line and the water just sits I the air line and there is nothing blocking inside the tube. Do you know anything else that I could try or is it screwed?

 

[Peace River]

I don't think your screwed. The next step may be to reach out to CoralVue, who I believe is the North American partner for Reef Octopus. @Connor At CoralVue - is this something that you can help with?

 

[twentyleagues]

Hello again. I took it all apart and cleaned with pouring hot water down the air line and the water just sits I the air line and there is nothing blocking inside the tube. Do you know anything else that I could try or is it screwed?

If you pour water down the airline it should exit from the pump water intake. Have you disassembled the pump removing the air line from the venturi and the volute from the pump assembly? If there is a blockage from calcium build up it would/could be in that area and may not be easily seen without doing that. Hot water will not dissolve calcium you need citric acid or vinegar.

The volute is the part of the pump that houses the impeller, the water intake, and where the water comes out of the pump. The venturi is easily clogged by calcium carbonate deposits. I am not a scientist but my guess is that from the air being pulled into this section there is localized ph fluctuation causing calcium carbonate to precipitate out of solution and build up on the plastic. That may be incorrect reasoning/terminology, all I know is it happens in that area more often than with something like a return pump where no air is being drawn in. In my time reefing when I have used skimmers of this design the pumps for this type of skimmer need to be cleaned of this type of build up much more often than say a return pump does. The same goes for a becket style skimmer where the water is mixed with air in a "mixing valve" (forget the correct terminology) area or it will become clogged.

 

[Connor At CoralVue]

Please ensure to create a support ticket with us for our agents to officially be able to assist.

As others are stating, something is clogging the airline. If the water level internally is moving, the pump is working, if its not creating bubbles, its not getting air. I would first suggest checking the venturi (piece connecting airline to pump)

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