Help with protein skimmer!!

[Dikiibill]

Hello, my husband purchased a 60G Protein Skimmer HOB w/pump Reef Marine Pro Pack from e bay. It came with no instructions on how to set it up. We hooked it up exactly like the picture shows and it is not making bubbles. water is flowing through it but nothing is overflowing into the cup. We do not know if we hooked it up correctly. When we blow air into the airline tube it makes bubbles. It seems to me there is no air to it? We don't know and we are new to the world of protein skimmers! Here is a link to the product from e bay. Thanks.

60G Protein Skimmer HOB w/pump Reef Marine Pro Pack - eBay (item 290359602228 end time Nov-10-09 15:13:59 PST)

[metalhead]

Usually it will take a while for a new system to start producing skimmate regularly. How long has your tank been established and what's the bio-load like? Regardless though you should see lots of micro-bubbles in the skimmer column.

If you're not seeing any bubbles in the column then there is probably some type of problem. Tell us more about your system, water params and a pic or two of your skimmer setup would also help.

Welcome to ReefLand!

[gregony]

It appears to be a CPR knock off. There should be an air hose that connects to a hole in the pump inlet that enters right at the edge of the pump's impeller. This location is critical for the venturi effect. If this is not there, or it is too far away from the impeller, it will not work right. There will be no air getting mixed in the pump to produce bubbles; the air will just mix with the water and flow through the skimmer (it'll do a drive by). Check and see if water is backing up into the airline tube. This would be a dead giveaway that the venturi action isn't taking place. If the air inlet is where it's supposed to be, there needs to be an adjustable valve on the end of the air hose to regulate the amount of air going into the venturi. On CPR's it runs best when its almost closed. When fully open it produces really big bubbles that break up way too soon. For this one, God only knows. It should produce bubbles immediately, it just won't produce real skimmate for at least a day. If the pump is too weak - unfortunately it probably will be - you won't be able to maintain foam as debris collects in the strainer. If you give up on it, you should go with a CPR, Aqua C, or Aquamedic for hang ons. There's a reason they're more expensive. Also, don't forget these brands come up used on E-bay all the time, if you're short on cash.