SCA-303 skimmer malfunctioning

[Markster]

I have been running this for four months on my 125 gal reef and in the last few weeks it has gone from producing good micro bubbles in the chamber to clear water. I took out and cleaned the unit the first time and seemed to do the trick. It is doing this again and not sure why. Any thoughts are appreciated.

[Zack]

So it's no longer making micro bubbles? Like not bubbling inside the body?

[Zack]

Are you sure the adjustment tube is connected all the way to th body? The only time that ever happen to me was when a gap formed between the tube and skimmer body. If your still under warrenty Id contact the manufacturer. In my opinion the only thing lacking with the skimmer is the pump isn't as durable as Id like, but the issues I've seen are usually after a year or two.

[Cammed_02]

My BM skimmer does this from time to time. Sometimes its the air intake I have to fiddle with, but mostly becuase the needlewheel has a hairline crack in it. Once it gets spinning in the pump the crack expands and the bubble production suffers.

Does your pump in the skimmer have a needlewheel?

[Markster]

I unplugged the pump and took the entire unit out of the water then put back. Once I plugged the pump in, the micro bubbles came back. It must be the pump seating in the cone chamber or how the air is entering with the blue tube. No needle wheel that I know of.

[Markster]

Well, short lived, back to clear water...ugh

[Zack]

Can you post a video?

[Markster]

2561825619

[Markster]

Trying to upload video but timed out so here is a few pics

[Zack]

Have you tried dissembling the pump
to check for obstruction?

[Markster]

Not the pump this time but before I did. I removed the blue device that goes onto the pump and no issues

[Markster]

I would think if the pump was the issue, it would not produce anything in the cone but still does at setting three.

[Markster]

I would think if the pump was the issue, it would not produce anything in the cone but still does at setting three.

[THE_BEAST]

i have a sca and it does it from time to time also. i usually take the whole thing out and run it in vinegar for a day. cleans everything real good. rinse it alloff and put it back in.

[Markster]

After many attempts with this skimmer, I finally got SC Aquaruims to replace the pump and sending out today. The only thing I could find wrong was a few of the pieces on the impeller, which has many knobs were broken off. Baffles me that would cause no bubbles and clear water.

[Cammed_02]

My impeller had all the teeth intact and only a small hairline crack in the center where the rubber gromet sits and the pump still wouldn't create bubbles. So im sure thats gonna be your problem.

[Markster]

I found the problem, the adapter that fits onto the front of the pump was clogged on the small plastic tube that the airline tubing goes on. It had a white substance that I used a small flat head to srape off and bubbles galore.

[Dean]

I found the problem, the adapter that fits onto the front of the pump was clogged on the small plastic tube that the airline tubing goes on. It had a white substance that I used a small flat head to srape off and bubbles galore.

Awesome. Are you dosing Kalk into the same sump chamber that your skimmer pulls from?

[Markster]

No, I use a calcium reactor and no other areas in the sump found with this buildup. I throw in a 28 mini block in once a week in another sump chamber so not sure how this occured but know where to check from now on.