Skimmer *Chugging*?

[KoleTang]

What's up with this:



Skimmer: Super Reef Octopus POV DC1
Pump: SRO DC 3500s

Problem: Pump has 6 speeds. On speeds 5 and 6 the pumps starts doing this chugging thing. It sounds like a little washing machine. I contacted coralvue two weeks ago and they said it needs to break in and that it is "choking on the air". I have been running it for 3.5 weeks now and it is still doing this. As of last week, it has now started doing this on level 4 as well. (I did not clean or touch the pump) The surging causes the foam head to collapse and not skim effectively. I am angry as I paid too much for this thing not to work properly.

I am contacting CoralVue again, but figured I'd ask here as well.

 

[Zoanut]

My cheap Eshopps HOB does that occasionally, i break it down and clean it up and it stops doing it. Im not sure what causes it...sorry! Im tagging along to see what people come up with.

 

[Reefing Madness]

When my skimmer does this, I clean out the salt creep from the air intake line. Then again, mine doesn't have speeds.

 

[KoleTang]

This is a brand new skimmer. (Well, 3.5 weeks ago it was)


This is what coralvue said:

"It takes 3-4 weeks for a skimmer to break in. With the POV1 and 2 It is suggested to run the unit with the output valve open and the power set to 4-5 which should get rid of the hiccup you are experiencing. As the skimmer matures you will be able to increase the speed. Right now the pump is choking on the air in the higher pump speeds. Please attempt to lower the power setting and see if it the surging resumes or not?


Right now the pump randomly chokes on the air as the water to air mix within the volute. This is due to the oils on the impeller and volute surfaces and lack of bacteria on the surface of the pump. It is very commonly seen in high air intake skimmers during the break in period. You may be able to run it in 5 possibly six if you have the output valve completely open."

It has only gotten worse.

Anyone else have the DC 3500s or DC 5000s pump?

 

[Reefing Madness]

It only takes a couple of weeks for the salt creep to get into the air line.
But, if you want to get rid of the resin on the skimmer and pump clean em out with vinegar, that takes care of it.

 

[KoleTang]

It only takes a couple of weeks for the salt creep to get into the air line.
But, if you want to get rid of the resin on the skimmer and pump clean em out with vinegar, that takes care of it.

I have cleared the airline several times. Everything was already cleaned thoroughly with vinegar.

Do you think the pump or controller is defective? CoralVue is about to get an ear-full from me...

 

[kschweer]

What is the sump depth the skimmer is running in? This skimmer is recommended to be in 5.5"-6.5" of water. Also is the output of the skimmer above water level or below? Just a few quick thoughts

 

[Reefing Madness]

I have cleared the airline several times. Everything was already cleaned thoroughly with vinegar.

Do you think the pump or controller is defective? CoralVue is about to get an ear-full from me...

Ya know what, thats what I'm thinking at this point. You've been at this for a bit, and from what you've done to it, I'd say its broken in already just by means of what you did. If its in the correct depth, or close to it, then I'd be asking for a new pump.

 

[KoleTang]

What is the sump depth the skimmer is running in? This skimmer is recommended to be in 5.5"-6.5" of water. Also is the output of the skimmer above water level or below? Just a few quick thoughts

Yup, it is about 6". The outlet is about 1/4 underwater.

Ya know what, thats what I'm thinking at this point. You've been at this for a bit, and from what you've done to it, I'd say its broken in already just by means of what you did. If its in the correct depth, or close to it, then I'd be asking for a new pump.

Exactly, I have tried every possible way to adjust this thing and it is not changing. It is actually getting progressively worse. I am asking CoralVue for a replacement pump/controller.

 

[mcarroll]

Not that I know it would help, but did you ever specifically try their advice?

-Matt

 

[SloppyJ]

My reef octopus does the same thing sometimes. I can't figure out why either. Mine is in about 6" of water. I figured it wasn't enough for it cause I have to turn the gate valve way down to get the level to rise.

 

[TighTT]

It looks like its producing nice foam. Other than the "chugging" noise....is there a downside? I've had skimmer make similar noises/pump surge but they still skim well. Just a thought.

 

[KoleTang]

Not that I know it would help, but did you ever specifically try their advice?

-Matt

What advise are you referring to? I've waited 4 weeks and I've tried everything possible to adjust the thing. Frankly, I think what they are saying about the skimmer "choking on air" is bull crap. I've never had a pump act like this before. It wasn't chugging on level 4 so I had it set to there. Then a week and a half ago it starts chugging on level 4. I hadn't even messed with it.

My reef octopus does the same thing sometimes. I can't figure out why either. Mine is in about 6" of water. I figured it wasn't enough for it cause I have to turn the gate valve way down to get the level to rise.

I might try lowering it. But if they say 5.5 - 6.5 inches, then it should run at 5.5 - 6.5 inches. I don't want any wetter of a skimmate than I am already getting.

It looks like its producing nice foam. Other than the "chugging" noise....is there a downside? I've had skimmer make similar noises/pump surge but they still skim well. Just a thought.

Nah, the foam head completely unpredictable based one how much chugging it is doing. It really messes with it IMO. The video has an OK foam, but that is not what it always looks like.

 

[mcarroll]

...running at "speed 4" with the "output valve open" for a while.

Not sure if you are/were running wide open....or if it made any difference if you did try.

Good luck!

-Matt


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[McAllyn]

My eShopps PSK75H was doing the same thing a while back. There was some water in the air intake which kept it from priming properly. Only thing I could think of on yours is that there might be some fluid in there that when it's up at the higher speeds, it can't suck in enough air. And possibly some more fluid has entered recently causing it to fail at the lower speed as well.

Mac

 

[kschweer]

Was your issue ever resolved?