skimmer problems

[tmantaylor18]

I recently got a hang on the back skimmer and its not working as well as my friends. I had to hook up an airstone to the powerhead because it would create bubbles without it. But my bubbles seem a lot bigger than his and it never gets as much skimmate. Anyone have this problem?

[chimpham]

Is this a venturi skimmer? If so , you don't need an airstone.
If it doesn't have a venturi port, then it needs a special powerhead for that purpose, not just any.
Secondly, if this skimmer requires airpump, then you need to use limewood type and not any generic airstone.

Can't answer correctly unless u give specifics on your model and type.

[tmantaylor18]

Im not sure of the brand but heres some pics. I have the same one as my friend but for some reason i needed an airstone to to make bubbles.
http://img296.echo.cx/img296/1772/p10101000go.th.jpg (http://img296.echo.cx/my.php?image=p10101000go.jpg)

http://img296.echo.cx/img296/6601/p10100993zm.th.jpg (http://img296.echo.cx/my.php?image=p10100993zm.jpg)

[TheMoneyPit]

I think you might have forgotten to hook up the air hose. I'm not familiar with this skimmer but the second photo of the pump that you posted looks like an air hose should be connected in the center of the intake and the other end of the hose should be placed above the water line. Let us know if that helps.

[jdieck]

OK It seems to be a back pack skimmer. From the second picture it seems the original rio pump has been replaced by a maxi jet modified powerhead with the air venturi fitting in the inlet but it seems that the fitting is missing the airline.
The airline shall be attached to the center of the inlet fitting so the powerhead can suck and mix the air with the water. Use an aquarium airline plastic valve in the airline to regulate the amount of air.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MJ-VENT&Category_Code=Maxijet

[tmantaylor18]

yeah it came with that but even when i opened all the way i didnt get any bubles, and yes it was above the water line. I hooked up the airstaone for more air pressure but the bubbles are to big i guess.

[BrentN]

Hook it back up and try closing the valve down. Seems backwards but try it. That's how mine works.

[tmantaylor18]

ive tried that to, do you guys think maybe its broken and cant suck the air to mix the water and air?

[jdieck]

Originally posted by tmantaylor18
ive tried that to, do you guys think maybe its broken and cant suck the air to mix the water and air?
You must insure that the fitting is not clogged.
I noticed that the insert were the hose is plugged into frequently gets clogged with dry salt and salt creep. Try removing the cup fitting and wash it with fresh water, see that the hole in the center is not plugged, if it is you can use a small drill bit to unplug it.

[tmantaylor18]

Ill check that but it has always been like this.

[jdieck]

Let us know...

[tmantaylor18]

Yeah that didnt help.

[jdieck]

Originally posted by tmantaylor18
Yeah that didnt help.

I am really puzzled. If the air hose and inlet hole are not plugged and the powerhead is pumping at a good water flow there is no way to prevent the powerhead from pulling air in unless the powerhead impeller has some broken pallets, is too small or the powerhead discharge is plugged or has too much head.
Try keep on looking, if everything fails try buying a new Maxi jet 1200 and a new kit. It is not much money and you will be sure is not PH related.

Could you take closer pics of the pump output, inlet with and without the kit installed?

[tmantaylor18]

yeah ill do that soon.

[tmantaylor18]

http://img197.echo.cx/img197/466/p10100864rb.th.jpg (http://img197.echo.cx/my.php?image=p10100864rb.jpg)

[jdieck]

THe picture is rather small so I am not sure but it seems that the fitting is well encrusted. The fitting I have seen has openings on the sides like a strainers and this one seems to be a cone with solid sides. I'll try to get a pic of the one I have.
Meanwhile try disasembling the PH and clean everything dipping it in vinager several hours to remove all incrustations.

[tmantaylor18]

did you click on the picture? Well I dont think its build up since thats how its always been. I just remembered that when the ph was off the skimmer that it would make fine bubbles with out my airstone. thanks for all the help so far.

[jdieck]

I clicked on the picture, I can see the grid openings but they seem somehow obstructed by the encrusting. Here is what it looks like when clean. Try the Vinager and see if it works.
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/Fitting_Side.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/Fitting_Front.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/Fitting_Back.jpg

[tmantaylor18]

why is that on the airline tubing? my tube goes into a seperate part of the PH.

[JBrown]

Because you need to suck in air from outside the aquarium. I own two of these skimmers and have had great results with them. you need to pull the air in in front of the impeller so that the impeller will chop up the bubbles

[tmantaylor18]

i just tried putting that tubing in front like you said and i seem to be getting much more fine bubbles. I think you may have solved it. Ill get back to you guys if it works out.

[jdieck]

Originally posted by tmantaylor18
i just tried putting that tubing in front like you said and i seem to be getting much more fine bubbles. I think you may have solved it. Ill get back to you guys if it works out.

:lol: Really things could be simpler. Just noticed that the airline you had it connected to the discharge of the powerhead.

You did right by moving the airline from the discharge to the inlet fitting as in the pictures, there are two things you should still do:

a) Clean the fitting, the more restricted the inlet is the less flow and the less bubbles. Also insure that the hole to which the hose is now attached (the center of the fitting) is also clean so there is no air restriction.

b) Important. The hole where the airline was originally connected has to be plugged. Alternatively you can remove the short pipe with the hole and try fitting the outlet directly into the skimmer inlet pipe.

That's it. Now the only thing to do is adjust the air using a small aquarium valve attached to the airline and you are in business!

Enjoy!

[tmantaylor18]

Thanks a lot jdieck

[jdieck]

:thumbsup: