Skimmer Help Needed

[duc]

At night (for some reason) it changes completely from the way it acts during the day. I have a jug (1 gal) setup for overflow but last night it decided to fill it and dump approx 5 gal's of water on the floor.
It is a Jebo 180 Hang-On Skimmer (knock off of a Seaclone 100), I have it in my sump and "thought" I was pretty safe until last night. It has worked fine for approx a year but all the sudden is acting up.Here is what I have done so far:

Drilled hole for overflow jug (year ago)
Taken pump apart and cleaned it
Taken all air parts apart and cleaned them
Replaced air hose
Dis-assembled skimmer and cleaned it

I have been thinking of upgrading for a while and now seems to be proof/reason I should.

Any ideas or suggestions for a replacement that will not have these problems?
Clif

[JimD]

Thats a fairly common problem with that type of skimmer, usualy what happens is a snail will crawl into the return causing the overflow, what I did to correct this is cut a piece of eggcrate to fit in the return opening to keep the snails out...

[Bill S]

Clif,

I gave up on my pos Jebo a year ago and bought a real skimmer. That is the WORST design I have ever seen. And mine's upstairs.

[duc]

Thats a fairly common problem with that type of skimmer, usualy what happens is a snail will crawl into the return causing the overflow, what I did to correct this is cut a piece of eggcrate to fit in the return opening to keep the snails out...

By return do you mean the waterfall portion?

Thing is is it just happens when it wants to, I started the drying process then plugged it back in and it is spot on where it was last night. Every time it happens I can take the adjustment knob off then put it back on and it is fine. You would think based on how the adjustment works for this think that the air line gets plugged up causing this but there is/has never been any blockage and there is no way for it to get blocked.
Clif

[duc]

Clif,

I gave up on my pos Jebo a year ago and bought a real skimmer. That is the WORST design I have ever seen. And mine's upstairs.

OK I am good with that what brand did you get/suggest?
Clif

[hobogato]

pete brand. off the reef

[duc]

pete brand. off the reef
Have looked at his site but his doesn't list prices.
Pete I need a skimmer
Clif

[Bill S]

I bought a BakPak before I knew about Pete... My Jebo just seemed to have a mind of it's own. All of a sudden, it would overflow. Then work fine. never thought about a snail clogging the tube...

[pilot_bell777]

I had a Jebo HOB on my last tank (trying to be cheap, LOL)....after about 5 spills on the floor I figured out that they say to adjust the bubble until they are right at the top of the edge of the inlet to the collection cup.........doing this the thing acted like it had a mind of its own. I lowered the bubbles about 1/2" to 1" lower (adjusting the air until it stayed there) and it collected like crazy and I didn't have another spill after that adn then traded the whole setup. Also, after I first cleaned it I would keep the bubbles even lower and then raise them after a couple days and it was all good!

Now...I personally like the Berlin RedSea Turbo (mass produced ones)........but Pete does make some AWESOME skimmers!
Actaully getting some plans from Pete and gona start building some too here in Austin for fun!

Sumps, Tanks, Fuges, Skimmers, reactors, stands, canopies, etc.....gona have fun with the acrylic and the wood! LOL Gives me something to do in the garage and keeps me from watching TV! LOL at least that is the plan!

[motohead]

i have been running my skimmer only during the day.it shuts down at night when the lights do with the timer.it runs for 12 hours and off for 12 hours.i think it will knock down some overskimming which i have read is a small problem for reef tanks.also gives the skimmer pump a rest,longer life for the pump being the plus here.also just a tad off the monthly elec bill,another plus.i have been running it like this for a year now with no ill effects to the tank whatsoever.