Over skimming B-M curve A5

Jeff Nellist · Oct 19, 2018

Hi I am new to this forum , I have just purchased a BM curve A5 dc skimmer which I thought would be perfect for my E/Aqua 900s which has now been running just over 6 months, the tank has settled down nice.
When I first added the skimmer it would not skim for more than 2hrs at a time without shutting down and the green light on the power supply was flashing, so I stripped it down cleaned it and put it back in the sump which it immediately overflowed the collection cup with foam.
It now runs continuous but I cannot put the collection cup on as it forces the lid off even at the lowest setting, the skimmer is at the right depth of 20cm, I haven’t used no treatments, I am not dosing, I don’t overfeed and all my parameters are normal
Anyone got any ideas , I have a video I can send but it’s too large to post
Thanks for any help

Retro Reefer · Oct 19, 2018

Welcome to the forum! Not familiar with that skimmer but I’m sure someone will chime in..

IslandLifeReef · Oct 19, 2018

Welcome to R2R!

I'm not familiar with that skimmer either, but a video would probably help.

Jeff Nellist · Oct 19, 2018

If you can send me an email I will send you a video
Cheers Jeff

dbl · Oct 19, 2018

Welcome to R2R. Have you tried adjusting the water depth the skimmer is in? You might try raising it a little and see what happens.

Jeff Nellist · Oct 19, 2018

Yes have tried this and it gets worse

JasonK84 · Oct 19, 2018

Welcome to R2R!!

Steven Postalwait · Oct 19, 2018

Raising it made it worse? I have the regular Curve 5 and ended up building a stand out of pvc for it. I tried to run it at the recommended depth and had the same problem you’re having. I raised it about 2” and it works perfect.

dbl · Oct 19, 2018

Steven Postalwait said:
Raising it made it worse? I have the regular Curve 5 and ended up building a stand out of pvc for it. I tried to run it at the recommended depth and had the same problem you’re having. I raised it about 2” and it works perfect.

That was my experience as well which is why I too suggested raising it.

KJ · Oct 19, 2018

Welcome to R2R!!!

Jeff Nellist · Oct 19, 2018

dbl said:
That was my experience as well which is why I too suggested raising it.

It’s mad I have tried from the recommended depth every half inch till the pump is hunting for water and it just gets worse as you go higher, it’s as though they have put the wrong size pump in it.(But they haven’t)
Looks like it will have to go back if it cannot be sorted !!

PDR · Oct 19, 2018

Welcome to R2R!!! Sorry I can’t help with the skimmer.

Ruben's Reef · Oct 19, 2018

!!! Welcome to R2R Jeff !!! You also look on YouTube some videos of that skimmers in case someone had the same problem and show how to fix it.

mike werner · Oct 19, 2018

welcome to the group!

Jeff Nellist · Oct 19, 2018

mike werner said:
welcome to the group!

Thank you for the warm welcome

Jeff Nellist · Oct 19, 2018

ATTENTION ALL BUBBLE MAGUS A5 owners
Having problems with it over skimming then look no further
At the base of the skimmer where the wire goes through a grommet look at the way the grommet goes pull it out and turn it over so the flat side is Upwards YES that’s it !! I cannot believe a simple thing like that could cure such a big problem
My new skimmer is working great now

dbl · Oct 19, 2018

Jeff Nellist said:
ATTENTION ALL BUBBLE MAGUS A5 owners
Having problems with it over skimming then look no further
At the base of the skimmer where the wire goes through a grommet look at the way the grommet goes pull it out and turn it over so the flat side is Upwards YES that’s it !! I cannot believe a simple thing like that could cure such a big problem
My new skimmer is working great now

Hey...that's awesome. And look what you've done for the community - a PSA for all BMA5 owners! Glad you go it figured. out.

dbl · Oct 19, 2018

@Jeff Nellist - Would you mind if I changed the thread title to say "Over Skimming B-M Curve A5 - A Possible Solution"? I'd like to add that last part so when people do a search, they may find your thread here a huge help.

IslandLifeReef · Oct 19, 2018

Jeff Nellist said:
ATTENTION ALL BUBBLE MAGUS A5 owners
Having problems with it over skimming then look no further
At the base of the skimmer where the wire goes through a grommet look at the way the grommet goes pull it out and turn it over so the flat side is Upwards YES that’s it !! I cannot believe a simple thing like that could cure such a big problem
My new skimmer is working great now

Fantastic!!! Glad you figured it out.