Skimmer surging?? Weird...

[SouthBayPhoto]

Hey all,

I've noticed that every now and again, my 220g needle wheel Super Skimmer surges. It'll blow big air bubbles out the return tube that's in my 46g. (using it in HOB mode right now until it goes into the 90's sump)

Seems like most times it won't do it, but every now and again, it seems to get on a kick and you hear this big "bluuubb, blub" and big air bubbles are coming out for a while. Not sure how or why. Especially when it happens I haven't changed any settings on it.

Any thoughts?

[Live Rock Ricky]

when was the last time you cleaned it? I know clean my skimmer at least once a month... if not 2x per month...

[SouthBayPhoto]

I usually clean it about every two weeks or less. Usually the inner tube (can't think of the name of it now) gets all brown with gunk...most times you can't even see the bubble level inside.

That's when I take it off and clean it all out. It also seems to happen when I feed the fish too.

I guess this is why most people buy the uber-expensive ones.

[The R/C Man]

Just from reading your explanation it sounds like it may be a design flaw. It won't hurt anything though. When the skimmer was designed or built, a baffle or other part allows the bubbles to accumulate creating a pocket of air and as the water circulates it nocks it free, then blurp.

[SouthBayPhoto]

Thanks for the info, Greg.

I don't think it'll bother me as much when it's finally on my 90 and down in the sump. I probably won't even notice it. It's just right in plain view on the back of the 46, not to mention that when it does it, it splashes water up onto the one peice of glass I have under my hood. LOL