Skimmer Noise

[NoSump]

Based on recommendations on this site, I purchased (on EBAY) a used Remora Pro HOT skimmer. I have heard that some skimmers can be noisy enough to wake the dead.

The noise that I am experiencing appears to be coming from the mag 3 pump, and not the skimmer itself. The mag three is making a "vibration" sound.

Are there parts on the mag 3 that wear over time (like a diaphram)? Or are they just noisy pumps? Thanks.

Regards,

[Reefland]

In my experience, tha Mag pumps are pretty quiet. If you are hearing some vibration it could be from the impellar. I would dissasemble the pump and remove the impellar to make sure it's clean and not broken.

[NoSump]

In my experience, tha Mag pumps are pretty quiet. If you are hearing some vibration it could be from the impellar. I would dissasemble the pump and remove the impellar to make sure it's clean and not broken.

Reefland:

Thanks, I'll take it apart and see what the problem is.

Chuck

[middlemark]

I'd also check to make sure it's not vibrating against the glass or skimmer. Mine would get into a bad spot now + then and make a ruckus - but with re-adjustment would be silent [except for air intake hiss]

[Poseidon]

Mark has a good point too, make sure it is not touching anything else as it vibrates that would cause it to be loud.

[NoSump]

Mark has a good point too, make sure it is not touching anything else as it vibrates that would cause it to be loud.

That is a good point - I'd rather insert some damping material than take apart the pump.

I'll give it a try.

Chuck

[NoSump]

First the good news, Middlemark was right.

Other than that, it was a real "Nightmare on Elm Street".

I have the "bubble eliminator". That was the cause of my vibration sound. I attempted to insert a damping strip between the pump and the box (while it was running - very bad idea). The hose became dislodged and a fountain of salt water sprayed all over the floor, walls, etc. My wavemaker power strip made a sizzling sound. I now have the skimmer connected without the "bubble box" and it is running quietly.

My question is how are you supposed to connect the stupid box?
I have a two inch piece of tubing running from the intake of the skimmer, that connects to the pump. The box is only conected by screws that push the pump agains the back wall of the box. The only problem is that the pump barely fits into the box, and by the time you twist the pump into the box and tighten the screws, there is nothing holding up the pump and box but the 2 inch piece of tubing. Is that the way it's supposed to be connected?

Middlemark, are you running the skimmer without the bubble eliminator? I had read posts which lead me to believe that without the bubble eliminator the tank would be filled with milliions of micro bubbles.

One last question, if I do decide to run the skimmer without the bubble box, would it be practical to place the pump at the bottom of my tank (out of view) and run a 18 inch piece of tube up to the skimmer intake? Thanks.

Chuck

[middlemark]

Middlemark, are you running the skimmer without the bubble eliminator? I had read posts which lead me to believe that without the bubble eliminator the tank would be filled with milliions of micro bubbles.

One last question, if I do decide to run the skimmer without the bubble box, would it be practical to place the pump at the bottom of my tank (out of view) and run a 18 inch piece of tube up to the skimmer intake? Thanks.

I ran mine without the bubble eliminator ... but maybe I was the exception, not the rule.

As my tank had an overflow - I was getting rid of the surface scum without problem ... but would think this `bubble eliminator' would be a good thing if you didn't have an overflow. Thus I dunno about running the pump from the bottom of the tank.

I guess you can try and see ... wish I could help more. Used a Remora Pro for a little over a year before I upgraded this last summer and sold it.

[NoSump]

Middlemark:

Thanks. The reason that I asked about the pump on the bottom. was that I wondered if the term "skimmer" alluded to the need to skim water from the surface area rather than pump water from the bottom of the tank.

Running the unit as a HOT without the 'bubble box", I am experiencing a large quantity of small bubbles. I am going to give the manufacturer a call and make sure that I'm not missing a part (I bought the skimmer on Ebay) because the set-up just doesn't make sense to me. It sounds like it will be in my interest to use the box (I plan to use if as a reservoir for carbon and phosphate pads.

Thanks for your help. By the way, what did you upgrade to?

Chuck