Skimmer pump leaking bubbles?

[mfollen]

Hey reefers!

Does anyone have an idea as to what’s going on with my skimmer and how to fix it?

There appears to be a leak in the seal between the connection of the skimmer pump and skimmer inlet. It was working fine, I tried unscrewing and reattaching multiple times but nothing is resolving this..

Basically the connection between the skimmer pump and the skimmer has a leak due to a not tight fit. In the attached picture you can see the bubbles leaking out before entering the chamber. It was working fine until I moved it onto a skimmer stand.

Maybe the skimmer and pump are not level?

Looking for any ideas here! Thank you!!!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Did you verify that the O-Ring is in the union. It could be that now the pump isnt supported its causing pressure on the union allowing some to seep out.

 

[mfollen]

The rubber on the skimmer inlet is still there. There is no o ring. I adjusted the pump and skimmer so that it’s stable and flat on the stand but unfortuntely it’s still occurring.

I have extra o-rings around and can try putting one in.

 

[Mjrenz]

Any way you could get a better pic with white lights?

 

[Crabs McJones]

The rubber on the skimmer inlet is still there. There is no o ring. I adjusted the pump and skimmer so that it’s stable and flat on the stand but unfortuntely it’s still occurring.

I have extra o-rings around and can try putting one in.

Give it an try, where the pump threads into the fitting on the skimmer inlet should have an o ring or some sort of seal on it. What is the make and model of the skimmer?

 

[mfollen]

There is a rubber seal on the inlet of the skimmer union. No o-ring.

 

[mfollen]

Better picture attached, it’s leaking from where the pump threading meets the rubber seal on the skimmer inlet.

Thank you so much I really appreciate your help.

 

[Mjrenz]

Better picture attached, it’s leaking from where the pump threading meets the rubber seal on the skimmer inlet.

Thank you so much I really appreciate your help.

As crabs asked above, what's the make and model?

 

[Sod Buster]

Varios pump looks like

 

[mfollen]

Sorry. Varios 4 on a reef octopus internal 200

 

[mfollen]

Thank you for your help so much though. I’m battling multiple algae’s on a new build and having this skimmer offline for a period of time would suck.. I really appreciate everything.

 

[benjammin03]

Wow I actually just got this exact leak in my reef octopus 300 int. I figured I just needed to tighten the threads

 

[Mjrenz]

I just looked at the manufacturer's website and from the pics I saw there it looks like the discharge from the pump is supposed to be square to the skimmer body and extend straight into the part they call "bubble plate 2" From the pic it doesn't look like yours is square to the pump body

 

[KrisReef]

If for some reason you can’t solve this by tightening threads or installing a seal or oring you can still run the skimmer. I’d put a sock over the leak to stop the bubble spray. Gl

 

[Mjrenz]

Is this the skimmer you have?

 

[Sod Buster]

Twist the skimmer body counterclockwise looks like to square up the red seal with the grey fitting?

 

[mfollen]

OK... We all agree that the pump is not flush with the skimmer inlet at the union..
I've readjusted the skimmer and the pump many times, ensured the skimmer stand and skimmer itself are flat on the ground, tried reconnecting the pump, no luck.

The same issue is occurring. So strange it was working before the skimmer stand. This hobby. If it can it will.

I'm trying to think what else I can do. Thank you everyone for your help.

 

[Mjrenz]

OK... We all agree that the pump is not flush with the skimmer inlet at the union..
I've readjusted the skimmer and the pump many times, ensured the skimmer stand and skimmer itself are flat on the ground, tried reconnecting the pump, no luck.

The same issue is occurring. So strange it was working before the skimmer stand. This hobby. If it can it will.

I'm trying to think what else I can do. Thank you everyone for your help.

Does it look like the rubber piece has been deformed from the pump being in crooked ?

 

[mfollen]

@Mjrenz nope but close. Regal 200int 8” skimmer

 

[mfollen]

Two more pics.

I’m fairly certain the shim is in there. When I checked there was a rubber liner in there that looked like that, it wasn’t loose. Will check one more time.