Protein skimmer not skimming

[mikesilverado8888]

I have a Red Sea max 250 just bought a new protein skimmer pump it doesn't work any better than the old one. Is there a crack or something that could be causing the protein skimmer not to skim

 

[twilliard]

What is it doing?
Its not the pump that makes it skim it the air intake and the efficiency of the bubble size and contact time.

 

[mikesilverado8888]

The bubbles are really little

 

[twilliard]

As in size or volume?
The smaller the better but volume is key also

 

[mikesilverado8888]

As in size or volume?
The smaller the better but volume is key also

Size

 

[mikesilverado8888]

The bubbles aren't making to the top

 

[twilliard]

I would check your air intake, venturi.
Sounds like its not drawing enough air

Pictures of the pump and venturi would help

 

[mikesilverado8888]

I would check your air intake, venturi.
Sounds like its not drawing enough air

Pictures of the pump and venturi would help

it's fully open all the air it can get is open

 

[mikesilverado8888]

Maybe it just needs time to build up

 

[twilliard]

I am thinking the air inlet needs to be cleaned out

 

[Dtackett]

agreed with twilliard. clean it all really well. see what happens. I know of a lot of people who will drill out the venturi and fitted a bigger hose to allow more air but I wouldn't do that unless its a last resort.

 

[mikesilverado8888]

I am thinking the air inlet needs to be cleaned out

It's a brand-new pump with brand-new air inlet

 

[twilliard]

Can you blow air through it easily?
If so it may also be cavitating