SKIMMER ISSUE

[wizard261]

Hi

Skimmer for last few weeks has been overflowing with just bubbles No skim mate and even on low setting I can not get it to calm down This was not acting this way in past Not sure what is going on

Thanks

 

[w8lifts]

Might have nothing to skim, could also try raising it with some egg shells, or maybe a dirty air intake.

 

[wizard261]

Might have nothing to skim, could also try raising it with some egg shells, or maybe a dirty air intake.

Should i do a fell cleaning

 

[reeftivo]

Should i do a fell cleaning

what kind of skimmer?

sounds like a clogged intake venturi which will raise the water level in the skimmer. It will push more water when that happens. Pull the airline off the venturi at the pump and run either a small bottle brush or push something blunt (not sharp,don't want to scratch the inside) down into the nipple where the hose attaches. that will push out the obstruction which is usually a combination of salt creep, carbonate and lint. If that what the issue is the skimmer should settle back down and start chugging again.

If that doesn't work then pull the pump and clean the pump completely. You could clean the skimmer body too but if it's not filthy then i would leave it alone since it has most likely developed a beneficial slime coat already and cleaning it would remove that and a small break in would be needed before adjusting.

FYI: i routinely ream out the intake nipple off my venturi's with a bottle brush but also on occasion use a splintered chop stick (found some lying around one day). the chop sticks wont scratch the inside and can be whittled down to size.

 

[wizard261]

what kind of skimmer?

sounds like a clogged intake venturi which will raise the water level in the skimmer. It will push more water when that happens. Pull the airline off the venturi at the pump and run either a small bottle brush or push something blunt (not sharp,don't want to scratch the inside) down into the nipple where the hose attaches. that will push out the obstruction which is usually a combination of salt creep, carbonate and lint. If that what the issue is the skimmer should settle back down and start chugging again.

If that doesn't work then pull the pump and clean the pump completely. You could clean the skimmer body too but if it's not filthy then i would leave it alone since it has most likely developed a beneficial slime coat already and cleaning it would remove that and a small break in would be needed before adjusting.

FYI: i routinely ream out the intake nipple off my venturi's with a bottle brush but also on occasion use a splintered chop stick (found some lying around one day). the chop sticks wont scratch the inside and can be whittled down to size.

Thanks will try

 

[wizard261]

Bubble mantis

 

[reeftivo]

Bubble mantis

bubble Magus curve skimmer?

just use the method of cleaning the nipple out above, observe the results and report back

 

[wizard261]

bubble Magus curve skimmer?

just use the method of cleaning the nipple out above, observe the results and report back

Cleaned out. Nothing in there. Just check water level to skimmer it is at 8 1/2 in.
It's definitely getting to much air. I

 

[reeftivo]

Is the wedge pipe open completely so the internal water level is at its lowest point?

 

[reeftivo]

If it's wide open and still overfoaming try a stand to raise the skimmer an inch or two. You can use light diffuser (egg crate) panel and zip ties from a home improvement store. About 20 bucks total.

One panel can make several stands. I've done 4 off one panel. You can make a 1 inch, 2 inch to start. Is the pump on the BM skimmer a rock pump?

 

[reeftivo]

 

[wizard261]

Is the wedge pipe open completely so the internal water level is at its lowest point?

I don't know what the wedge pipe is

 

[wizard261]

Is the wedge pipe open completely so the internal water level is at its lowest point?

I don't know what the wedge pipe

If it's wide open and still overfoaming try a stand to raise the skimmer an inch or two. You can use light diffuser (egg crate) panel and zip ties from a home improvement store. About 20 bucks total.

One panel can make several stands. I've done 4 off one panel.

You can make a 1 inch, 2 inch to start. Is the pump on the BM skimmer a rock pump?

I don't know if it's a rock pump. I am not at home till Monday to look and see

 

[reeftivo]

I don't know what the wedge pipe



I don't know if it's a rock pump. I am not at home till Monday to look and see

the wedge pipe is the tall vertical pipe on the side of the skimmer body. that pipe connects low on the body and that's where the water exits. that pipe has a gate on it that can be opened or closed to either restrict the water flow out and raise the internal water level of the skimmer or open the gate more to lower the water level in the skimmer. if theres a dial on top of that pipe you would turn it until the water level "inside" the skimmer is at its lowest. the dial may have markings on it showing closed or open. try to open it!

try the wedge pipe first then if you need help I can help you with making a stand for it. You can buy a stand but they are $$ compared to DIY stands which will serve the same function.

 

[reeftivo]

if you could attach a pic of the skimmer it would help.

 

[wizard261]

the wedge pipe is the tall vertical pipe on the side of the skimmer body. that pipe connects low on the body and that's where the water exits. that pipe has a gate on it that can be opened or closed to either restrict the water flow out and raise the internal water level of the skimmer or open the gate more to lower the water level in the skimmer. if theres a dial on top of that pipe you would turn it until the water level "inside" the skimmer is at its lowest. the dial may have markings on it showing closed or open. try to open it!

try the wedge pipe first then if you need help I can help you with making a stand for it. You can buy a stand but they are $$ compared to DIY stands which will serve the same function.

I have adjusted the pipe to every setting on it. I am at what looks to be the lowest number and still overflowing

 

[wizard261]

if you could attach a pic of the skimmer it would help.

Will on Monday when I get home

 

[reeftivo]

does your skimmer have a similar dial on top of the air silencer?

if so have you tried opening that up or taking it off to see what it will do?

if the air is restricted, the internal water level in a skimmer will rise because the pump will be pushing more water. when it rises it can still be pulling a decent amount of air that can be enough to make the skimmer overflow.

an easy check would be to take the airline off the nipple on the silencer and hold it up out of the water while it's running to see if there was any restriction. if there was a restriction then the water level in the skimmer will lower.

 

[wizard261]

does your skimmer have a similar dial on top of the air silencer?

if so have you tried opening that up or taking it off to see what it will do?

if the air is restricted, the internal water level in a skimmer will rise because the pump will be pushing more water. when it rises it can still be pulling a decent amount of air that can be enough to make the skimmer overflow.

an easy check would be to take the airline off the nipple on the silencer and hold it up out of the water while it's running to see if there was any restriction. if there was a restriction then the water level in the skimmer will l

No dial on silencer. Checked the tube no obstruction

 

[reeftivo]

is the skimmer a curve series bubble magus (wine bottle shape)?

post that picture when you can