SCA-301 skimmer

[SmoothSmoke]

My skimmer is going nuts today. A lot of bubbles coming from the bottom and top of the blue tube. I have it set at the lowest possible setting. Between 1 and off. And still its going wild. Any advice please. The skimmer was already broken in. Just started acting up out of no where.

 

[Jonreefer]

mine did that for the first week had them come out the top of the tube. but havnt had issues since and its been running real good still decent amount of microbubbles come out the exit tube in the water but not like it was new. how old is it

 

[SmoothSmoke]

It's been up and running about 2 months now. Everything was fine till today. Not sure what the cause of this can be. I do get foam in the cup too, so it seems to be working, but the amonut of bubbles coming from both the top and bottom of the tube is concerning.

 

[Reefing Madness]

What are your water params? That baby is working overtime. Check the airline tubing for salt creep as this will cut off some of the intake and cause the water level to go up inside. When was the last time you cleaned the pump out?

 

[SmoothSmoke]

I'll get the params in a bit. But I've never cleaned the pump. Sounds like it may be time.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Right. That shoukd help a bunch. Stuff will collect on the needle wheel and on the air intake causing all kinds of problems.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Ok my params are fine

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 5ppm

I think I'll need to clean it. I did do a minor water change today. Maybe that put it out of whack. The skimmer works and all, but it's working at almost the off position. Just under level 1. Usually it's at 2.5

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Thanks for the help, appreciate it!

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Right. That shoukd help a bunch. Stuff will collect on the needle wheel and on the air intake causing all kinds of problems.

I didn't get a chance to clean it today, but will tomorrow. I'm just thinking here. I have the adjustment tube set to the "off" position and I'm still collecting foam into the collection cup. That definitely sounds wrong. Normally when it's set to off, no bubbles ever come close to foaming into the cup. Something is off for sure.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Yea, just one of thoes things, if its totally off, how is it still sucking in water and air?

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Thats what I dont understand. Its plugged in of course. But the tube is in the off position. Must be a leak?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Some water will get by, its not a total seal in the valve there, but what your getting is a bit excessive. I'd take it apart and clean er up good. Should do ya.

 

[Reefer831]

Is it overflowing in the collection cup as well? If so...what did you change? any new filter sock...did you have your hands in the tank and forget to wash first? your skimmer is reacting to something in the water...turn off you ATO, get a bucket and let it drain until it stops overflowing....your sump may be low at this point...let it sit there and pull what ever it needs out, then do a water change the next day...it looks like you have a lot of suds...also check to make sure all your tubes are connected and working properly...in you photo it looks like air is coming from multiple spots...do you notice it looks any different then normal the way its flowing out?

 

[SmoothSmoke]

It would overflow in the cup here and there. But mostly the foam came out of the top of the blue tube. I think I fixed it. I took it apart this morning. Lightly cleaned it. And I belive the problem was the pump was not all the way into the skimmers body. When I bought this thing I did notice that the pump would come off easy away from where it goes into the cone. Nothing look clogged, but I just put it back together and now it's working as normal. Thanks all!!!!