Skimmer not skimming

[Doodaa]

I cleaned out my skimmer about 2 weeks ago and since then it hasn't produced any skimmate at all. I use tap water, no soap, and use a toothbrush to clean it out. First I thought it was because my skimmer pump was undersized and 1/2 broken, but it still produced bubbles. Then I got a new heater and raised the temp from 79 to 81 degrees F. After that, I had condensation buildup inside the riser tube and in the collection cup. I thought that might be part of the problem...freshwater condensation "popping" the skimmate bubbles before they could rise into the collection cup. Last weekend I installed a new more powerful pump for the skimmer. Lots more flow, lots more bubbles. Still have condensation in the riser tube, but still no skimmate. I have risen the water level in the skimmer by closing the discharge valve to get rid of the condensation a few times...hoping to coat the tube with "slime". I did a 15% water change 2 weeks ago. My Halimeda is growing like crazy in my display tank. Is it possible that I really don't have any protiens to skim out??? for two weeks straight? It seems it happened when I cleaned my skimmer and added the heater. Now, I am starting to get a 3/4" head on my foam in the skimmer, but still not rising up the tube. Is the condensation blocking it or is there something else that will prevent a skimmer from skimming? I haven't added any chemicals deliberately, but my hands have been in the tank a lot lately. Is there something I could have contaminated it with that would cause "premature bubble poppage" in my skimmer? I'm at a loss

[My2heartboys]

You might try checking your magnesium and your KH. I have found that both will affect the ability of the skimmer. I drip Kalkwasser every night simply because I know that it will help the skimmer to skim better. If your magnesium is too low, your skimmer will not function as well either.

Are you sure that your collection cup is at the right level?

How old is the skimmer body, what kind of skimmer is it?

Anne

[Doodaa]

I'll check my levels tonight...haven't done that for a few weeks either since they had been sticking pretty consistent at Ca-410ppm and Alk-10.6dKh.

I've also started running some carbon...would that do it?

[My2heartboys]

Don't think so as I run carbon 24/7

Anne

[Doodaa]

Test results:

MG - 1350ppm
PH - 8.4
PO4 - 0.0
KH - 9.0dKh
CA - 480ppm

I am now getting brown stuck to the side of the skimmer just above or right at the bubble line. Still no bubbles rising up the tube. I have a MRC MR2 with 2 beckett injectors running on a Reeflo Dart pump. Yes, I know it's way overkill, but I have it throttled back and have my GFO/carbon reactor T'd off of it too.

This is just really strange...like I said, it was producing skimmate before I cleaned it with tap water and a toothbrush...just like always. I can't believe that I have no protiens to skim out. Livestock looks healthy though. I don't have organic test kits anymore (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) to test for them right now.

Do you think I contaminated the skimmer with something that pops the foam? Should I rip it apart and clean it again and if so with what? Vinegar?

I only have 2 fish, a false percula clown and a green chromis, and a few corals. Lots of snails, hermits, bristle worms, 'pods, dusters, and worms though...I have to have stuff that needs to be skimmed.

One other thing that might help. My Halimeda, still growing strong, is not nice round, flat links anymore. It's turned into scraggly stuff. Can it be related somehow?

[My2heartboys]

I am not sure. Ninong, would you have a clue as to what is going on?

I am sure the declination of your halimeda is connected....just not sure how.

Anne

[Seige]

Maybe contact the manufacturer/supplier and see what they say.

[Doodaa]

I cleaned it out with white vinegar. I'll see by tomorrow if that fixed it. Would too little flow with my old pump or too much flow with my new one do it? I do have my new pump throttled back a bit but I am blowing quite a few bubbles out the discharge.
Posted via Mobile Device

[My2heartboys]

Flow could have a lot to do with it. Might ask that question in the equipment forum. As to the bubbles in the discharge, many things can do that....including having to rebreak it in. I am not sure what cleaning it out with white vinegar would do. I know that when I add certain filter feeding food into our aquarium, my skimmer shoots out microbubbles for quite some time then it stops and normal output resumes.

How did you determine that cleaning it out with vinegar would help?

Anne

[Doodaa]

How did you determine that cleaning it out with vinegar would help?

I didn't...I just wanted to try something. It's been 3 weeks since it's produced skimmate and that can't be good.

There has to be something else that I'm missing or did without knowing. I haven't given up, but I'm getting kinda frustrated now.

[Ninong]

I've also started running some carbon...would that do it?

No.

[Ninong]

One other thing that might help. My Halimeda, still growing strong, is not nice round, flat links anymore. It's turned into scraggly stuff. Can it be related somehow?

Well, I don't know if it's related to your skimmer not skimming or not but it certainly indicates a change in the tank that is affecting your Halimeda. It's possible that it's related.

BTW, you really need to get a nitrate test kit. Even after your tank is mature, you should still test nitrate at least once or twice a month as a safety precaution.

[Ninong]

I didn't...I just wanted to try something. It's been 3 weeks since it's produced skimmate and that can't be good.

It's okay to use vinegar to clean any equipment. It helps to remove calcium carbonate buildup. You may need to use it half and half with water for really stubborn situations, like pumps sometimes, but I usually used it about one part vinegar to four parts water for just general cleaning. The main thing to avoid, as you already know, is using any form of soap or detergent.

I'm not sure why your skimmer isn't skimming. I know that some brand new skimmers can take a week or more before they begin to skim but that doesn't apply to yours.

Try wiping out the inside of the riser tube with water that is 1/10 vinegar. Adjust the skimmer to skim wet so that it just barely makes it into the collection cup. Then, a little later on, adjust it back a little so that it can't quite make it into the collection cup. Then wait to see if it makes it into the cup on its own, etc.

'Tis better to have skimmed wet than never to have skimmed at all.

Who said that? Somebody must have said that right?

Probably Shakespeare.



P.S. -- It was Alfred Lord Tennyson, not Shakespeare.

[Seige]

'Tis better to have skimmed wet than never to have skimmed at all.

Who said that? Somebody must have said that right?

Probably Shakespeare.



P.S. -- It was Alfred Lord Tennyson, not Shakespeare.

Is there anything you don't know?

[My2heartboys]

Doodaa, I think Seige had the right idea. You might contact the makers of the skimmer.

What kind of skimmer is it and how old is it?

Anne

[Doodaa]

It's a My Reef Creations MR2 model with dual becketts...pushing 2 years old.

All of a sudden this morning, I began to wonder if I just may not have any gunk to skim out and am worrying about nothing. It all started when I did about a 15% water change and cleaned the pump. I had lots of algae growth, both the halimeda and also slime gross brownish stuff in my sump. As you can see the halimeda has slowed in growth and so has the yucky stuff in my sump. I had done a 10% water change 2 weeks prior and quite a few 5% changes before that trying to slow the algae growth.

All the other creatures in my tank are doing great. Corals have been extending a lot more since I got my calcium levels up. So again, I wonder if nothing is wrong really.

I guess it just bugs me that I have a piece of equipment that isn't doing anything. It is aerating the water pretty good though

I did do as Ninong suggested and left the water level high in the skimmer to skim wet and it has. The water level is about 4" down from the top of the riser tube. Not super wet, but wetter. Manufacturer recommends 2-4" from the bottom of the riser tube.

[Sarmo]

when ever my skimmer quits skimming it's because there is a snail shel in the injector. looks like it's working a bit the with the snail it is restricted enough so at is doesn't quite skim. try checking all the tubing and the injectors for obstructions. also don't beckets come with adjustable air supply? i'd double check those. don't give up, you have stuff to skim if you're feeding at all.

good luck.

[Doodaa]

Update...

I only know reef keeping through reading boards such as this and other internet sites. It's very hard to grasp some of the related terms unless you have seen a successful reef tank in operation after you have some idea of what you are looking at. For instance, SPS corals need high flow, LPS corals want medium to low flow, and softies prefer lower flow. What does that mean? To me, it meant nothing because I had no standard whatsoever to go by. I still really don't, but after watching his youtube video showing the same skimmer I have, I have some understanding on how much flow should be going through it. I don't know anyone that is keeping a reef tank in my area to visit. The only LFS that was successful quit the retail business and is only setting up contract tanks in doctor's offices and such because there is money to be made in that. When I did look at his successful display reef tank in his shop, I had no idea at all what I was looking at, both equipment-wise and livestock-wise. I just knew it was beautiful!

YouTube - MRC Skimmer

I was trying to prevent bubbles from exiting the discharge of my skimmer. Watching this video showed me that there should be lots of bubbles exiting the discharge.

Now that I have opened my pump's valve completely open and blowing tons of bubbles into my sump, after 3 hours, the bubbles are starting to rise in the riser tube. I'll see how it is working in the morning and post an update.

[Seige]

Doodaa, glad you figured it out.

Maybe this will help you. Just in time for the Coral swap too. ;-)
Greater Iowa Reef Society > Home

[My2heartboys]

Hope it is working for you?

Anne