Question about skimmer function

[Carissa]

I have a Pro Clear Aquatics skimmer running in my sump of my 33g tank. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong but it only seems to work for about the first day or so after I clean it out. It will collect a lot of stuff for the first 24 hrs and then if I don't clean it out right away, it seems to just stop or at least slow down dramatically. There is a small hole in the cover that sits down over the skimmate collector that gets clogged right away as soon as it starts producing skimmate, I don't know if that has anything to do with it? Maybe because the strength of the bubbles coming up can't overcome the problem of the lid being somewhat airlocked? Any ideas?

[jmalone26]

If the hole is getting clogged, this might be your problem. Is the hole right over where your bubbles come up into the waste tank? If it is, you should drill another hole away from the bubbles so the air can escape the chamber. The clogged hole will cause air pressure to build and push the bubbles back down.

[InTheDark]

Hi Carissa,
Just wondering if you ever solved the problem with your skimmer? Mine (an Aqua Clear Aquatics) does the same thing. It skims great after cleaning and within two days the skimmate does not reach to top chamber anymore. The water is swirling in the lower chamber and the air vent is taking in air. It seems like the thickness of the collected skimmate does not allow enough bubbling to reach the top chamber. I don't know if this normal behavior or not.
Thanks
-Chris