"stupid question" ----skimmers

[dclegern]

when I had my skimmer up top, it wouldn't stop....chug chug chug almost a spill or two.
but now that it's in the sump, it seems as though it's barely needed!
I've even overfed.... and nothin' !!!!

anyone got a reason or idea, I don't need some oddball misshap!!

[stoneroller]

what kind of skimmer is it?

[dclegern]

coralife super skimmer.
serious production!!! now blah..........

[jroescher]

If it's in the sump, the output the skimmer must be above the water level.

[StevenSeas]

what kind of overflow do you have? Flow through the sump?

[Big_Pun]

if you can snap a pic of it that will help i have a coralife super skimmer 225 and latley ive been having probs with it sucking air i had to mod the inlet to keep it working, it would sometimes stop

[dclegern]

Here's a pic.
all spec's should be in order.......

Just weird that it's just chuggin and chuggin....but no production.

[Big_Pun]

have you tried giving everything a good cleaning, just wipping all algae off everything, take pump apart clean that also

[StevenSeas]

It looks like the way its positioned now the pump is in shallower water than it would be if it was hanging on a tank. I know with venturi intake skimmers like this that there is a "sweet spot" per se of where they work optimally. My guess is that it requires to be a little bit deeper so that the suction from the venturi pump gets more air to produce more bubbles etc. It doesnt look like you can raise the water level much more in your sump. I would try a quick experiment and get some flex tubing of the right ID and drop the pump so that it sits on the bottom of your sump. My guess is this will get more air into the skimmer. Might be worth a shot, if cleaning the tubes and pump doesnt work

[Neptune@gabesfish]

When in sump this skimmer works best when pump and skimmer sit flush on floor of sump.. Simple fix get longer hose for pump

[StevenSeas]

+1 to neptune

[dclegern]

dropped the pump and skimmer to the floor and it almost blew out the top with water not foam...........aaaaargh! close one!!
Left skimmer flat on floor and Pulled the pump up to 2 1/2 inches from the top.....and we've got foam and all's well.

Thanks to all notes thus far, it was driving me crazy!!!!
quick note on such. from the skimmer site!!

"Most crude waste/protein is going to hover in that 2-4 inch range" thus "having your skimmer flat on the bottom, and pump at 2-4 inches from a stable top water area should pull the most waste from any given system".

[StevenSeas]

Glad that you have it figured out, sorry bout the close one though LOL

[dclegern]

Yeah if it was still a HOB, that would have been a disaster......but all's well I think.
Plus if it helps anyone else out.
TLC does such a good job with muck in your tank, that the skimmer slows way down.
Not a fix or lack of need for a skimmer, but I had dossed heavy due to an algae/diatom bloom, and I think that's where the whole "no production" started with the skimmer.

anyhow, thanks again for all input.

[Neptune@gabesfish]

Good to know .. Odd cause in box the company gives two hoses one for hang on and the other for sump.. the sump one makes pump level with skimmer bottom.. I will pass that on to company Rep.

[dclegern]

I know neptune....I was looking at that earlier! I was going by the picture more than anything.
But picture/shmicture "ha"! when right next to it, it says keep top of pump 3" from sump water line for best results.
2+ years into messing with this stuff and I'm still Derrrr! sometimes.

[Neptune@gabesfish]

Removing them from inventory.. LOL dont think I want to deal with that mess..

[dclegern]

Oh I thought you were serious "inventory".....ha!
no I've had the skimmer for 2 years, only when i pulled it into the sump did I ever have an issue.
Ie. pic on instructions. water level at 1/3 of the sump...so yes it works perfect.
and Pic on my tank.......water level at 4/5 of the sump ..doesn't work at all.

all's well I think, it seems to be crankin' along as we speak.

[Big_Pun]

thanks gabe I fixed mine too, but I still plan on getting the octopus skimmer next month