Skimmer pumps slows when airline is attached?

[justahobby]

I just recently had this problem with my maxijet and now the pump to my new octopus skimmer is doing the same so I'm certain it's not just the pump:

I ran the new octo skimmer in vinegar to clean out the dust and any manufacturer contaminants. I dumped the vinegar water and replace the bucket with fresh. Turned the skimmer back on and that's when it stopped producing bubbles. I check the inlet and it wasn't pulling in water like before. I pulled the airline tubing off and presto it pushes max. water. Checked the airline for clogging its clean and clear. Also blew into the airline while skimmer was running, zero results. Replace the tubing and the pump bogs down again. How do I get my new skimmer running??

[JimD]

Are you testing it with fresh or salt water?

[CoryDude]

Like Jim said, are you testing in fresh or salt h20?

Also, you're are supposed to get a reduction in the pump's gph when attached to an airline. Since part of the mixture is being drawn in through the venturi, you won't feel as much of a suction on the pump's water intake.

Maybe I'm misreading your situation, so I hope this wasn't a "duh" response to your question.

[justahobby]

The comparison of how much water it pulls was meant with the airline on both times DUH! lol, before and after it stopped producing bubbles. I guess it was my imagination fooled by the lack of bubbles that led me to believe it wasn't pulling as hard

Now here's my DUH....
Sooo I added vinegar and presto the bubbles formed like a volcano from a science fair project. And now I know protein skimmers won't work in freshwater. AH! Elementary my dear Watsons! I always appreciate when someone can look from the outside in and see the missing variable. What is in the chemical composition in clean SW that causes this change in bubble production? And I could've sworn I read that skimmers were first used on water treatment plants, freshwater?

[Kristy]

Hey Justin,

Since this skimmer is brand new, do you know about how a new skimmer can take a day or two until it gets fully scum-coated to begin to produce adequate bubbles (sorry about the very technical terms here)? That's what I've always heard / read and I've observed this to be true. It should start pulling more soon.

-Kristy

[justahobby]

Thanks Kristy, Yeah I plugged it up this morning and now begins the wait.........and wait. I should probably leave the house so I don't stare it down anymore. I left my hang on bak pak running until I see the octo start pulling and then I am set to overfeed! JK

[CoryDude]

Yep, I misread your question. And, such a tart response.

[JimD]

At this point, Im totaly confused... lol Is it bubbling with no head or is it not bubbling at all? :confused:

[Paul28]

is it a pinwheel or mess mod ? does it make a hitting noise when you turn it on then just shut off ? are you in the recomended depth of water for the skimmer , Is it a PSK 2500 Pump ???

[justahobby]

Sorry for all the confusion guys. Let see if this clears things up

I purchased the skimmer and ran it through vinegar to clean it out before using. Next, I switched to FW to rinse the vinegar out. I had it sitting in FW and got no bubbles except a few large ones. After reading yalls concerns for FW vs. SW I figured out the water was the only variable that was different. So I poured some vinegar back in the bucket and the skimmer start working with lots of micro bubbles. So I rinsed it, and stuck it in my sump and it looks great. No foam rising up the neck yet, but I am sure it will be frothy in the next few days. Thanks for the help everyone!

I'm still confused why the bubbles won't form in clean FW? Airstones work, and essentially its the same isn't it?

[CoryDude]

If I remember phys 1301 correctly, there is a higher electrostatic bond between h2o surface molecules in sw vs. fw., because of their different densities. Higher density, greater surface tension, smaller bubbles, better skimming.

Compare an airstone in FW to the same airstone/pump in SW. Big difference.

[justahobby]

I agree on Big difference in output, no so much difference in concept when airstones can and are being used in skimmers. Thanks again for the info, glad to know the science behind the actions.