skimmer question

[package]

In the past month or so my ASM skimmer has twice done something very odd. It is like it quit producing bubbles and shot a ton of water up the standpipe creating quite a mess. It is a GX4 so it stands really high and the outlet/exit is close to the bottom of the collection cup which is a couple of inches taller than my 75g sump.

Question #1 - anyone seen this before? Each time I just unplug it and it straightens up.

Question #2 - I never really understood why the pipe shot water straight out the top. I tried a gate valve once but it was loud, (I think) I used a T at the top. It was a few years ago with my G3, so I do not remember exactly. Tonight I added a couple of 90s to send the water back straight into the sump. Now to the question, that seemed make too much sense. Is there a reason that the water is not directed down as opposed to up? I thought it was just to kill the bubbles through a sponge (hopefully).

This is the first time that the ASM has been anything but perfect.

[phljess]

It sounds like your venturi is clogged to me. Check and see if you have some build up in the air tube or the connection to the pump. You may need to clean the venturi with some vinegar.

[package]

I could think of nothing different also. I think the splashing water from the standoff accumulated in it.

[radone]

Sounds like you need to completely disassemble and clean the pump and venturi, it's time for a vinegar bath for sure.
If you don't have a smaller enough brush for the venturi try a pipe cleaner they work good.
make sure to get the needlewheel out of the pump, you might have seen a little less production, with the needle wheel having some foriegn materials in it

[odoprelude]

How often should you do this? I have an ASM in my project 125g.. but have up until now just used HOB's... Thanks!

[radone]

I clean my venturi about once a month, the pump every 3 or if I see a decrease in skimmate