Why is my skimmer acting like this?

Busa1340 · Mar 24, 2016

ok so I have s bubble magus curve 7. It's been working great however it's not been producing a liquid in the cup. It's making nice thick foam but it's not over flowing into the collection cup? All the nasty brown gunk is getting stuck on the upper neck only? The pic shows it running like this the past two days. Anyone had this issue before? Could the gunk be to heavy to "lift" up?

Busa1340 · Mar 24, 2016

I've also raised in lowered.. Even rose it to very top and still no over flow..

Busa1340 · Mar 24, 2016

Never done this before.

sc50964 · Mar 24, 2016

Check the pump to see if it needs to be cleaned.

Busa1340 · Mar 24, 2016

It's producing fine bubbles like it should pump is all clean impeller n all.

sc50964 · Mar 24, 2016

I'm not sure about this particular skimmer but most require a specific water level in which it submerges to perform at the optimal level. Have you checked that?

If there is nothing wrong with the skimmer mechanically then it's ought to be your water. What's the salinity?

Pdandy · Mar 24, 2016

have you adjusted the stand pipe level as well, not just the height of the water the skimmer is in?

Busa1340 · Mar 24, 2016

Yes everything is adjusted properly the only thing I did different was place the skimmer in the fuge section of my sump. I got tired of all the build up in that section. I cleaned everything again and it's fired back up hopefully it gets going again.

luke33 · Mar 24, 2016

Is the venturi hole clogged with calc or salt? Generally you need to clean it monthly

Busa1340 · Mar 24, 2016

Nope all clear its making real thick froth it's just not pushing it over the top even with the throttle wide open.. I'm confused lol

saltyphish · Mar 24, 2016

Clean the build up in the neck and see if that helps. Might be popping the bubbles before they make it to the top. Other than that maybe raise the water level or adjust the air flow by placing a valve on the air intake.

mcmunn93 · Mar 25, 2016

Hi just seen ur post my skimmer does exactly the same thing. I've tried what u have done and still the same. All I do now is I increase the air in the pump so my bubble level is just below half way on the neck of the cup. Hope this helps

Busa1340 · Mar 25, 2016

Thanks yea it was working just fine for a while than all the sudden it's like it dosent have enough power to push the foam up n over the cup. Thanks for the reply I'll be messing with it for another try if nothing changes gonna bite the bullet and upgrade..

mcmunn93 · Mar 25, 2016

What protein skimmer might u get, cause I may do the same

Busa1340 · Mar 25, 2016

Looking at the vertex 180i what skimmer is causing you these issues too?

mcmunn93 · Mar 25, 2016

I have a UFO

twilliard · Mar 25, 2016

If it was working fine and then the body water level dropped it's time to look closer at the pump.
Depending on pump style does the magnet spin freely on the ceramic shaft?
Over time calcium buildup occurs on the shaft (typically from lack of cooling) and needs to be removed.

ryan paggi · Mar 25, 2016

It's because you don't have a high enough bioload in your system. Bascially your skimmer is too big for your system. It produces enough for a while and then it goes back in idle because it doesn't have enough to keep going. I am in the same boat as you.

Busa1340 · Mar 25, 2016

Huh I'm not sure I mean you can clearly see that gunk thick stuff it's pulling out its just not strong enough to pull it up and over

twilliard · Mar 25, 2016

ryan paggi said:
It's because you don't have a high enough bioload in your system. Bascially your skimmer is too big for your system. It produces enough for a while and then it goes back in idle because it doesn't have enough to keep going. I am in the same boat as you.

?? Are you sure about this statement?