AquaC Too Much Flow Problem

[JGorske]

Hello!

I'm a new member, a new saltwater reefer, and first-poster so bear with me as I hope to become an active member of your community.

After a large amount of research I got into the saltwater world about 2 months ago when my friend gifted me with much of his saltwater setup. Since that time, I have replaced almost all of the equipment he had with newer, more researched models and brands. One of those pieces of equipment is an AquaC Remora HOB Skimmer (for this post, let's stay away from discussing the pros and cons of this particular model). For some reason, after running if for about a month and a half, it has not yet performed its duty. This is due to the fact that the pump (Maxi-jet 1200) seems to be pulling too much water into the filter, which in turn has produced very large bubbles in the collection cup, which in turn has produced an amazing amount of water being collected in the bucket attached to the drain fitting of the skimmer. As a result, I have been just running a tube from the skimmer back into the tank to prevent overflow. Those of you who have this skimmer, can you provide any insight? My tank info is below.

Thanks, and I hope to hear and talk with you all soon!

Tank is cycled with no fish, 2 corals (nice, large specimens) and a couple hermits from the friend who gave me his live rock and sand.

46g Bowfront
AquaC Remora HOB with Maxi-jet 1200
Penguin 200b with just Carbon
2 basic powerheads (replacing soon)
Coralife Lunar High-output T5 Fixture (4 bulb)
40-50 lbs. cured and cycled live rock (not exactly sure how much but looking to add a bit more soon)
20 lbs. live sand (est. 2" bed)

[Original Fin]

Welcome to Reefland!

Is it possible that your pump is sucking in air somewhere? That could make it behave as you've described. I'd look for cracks above the water line on the intake arm, and make sure the clamps are good and tight. Or, if there are bubbles in the water where the MJ draws from, that could do it too.

The collection cup is adjustable up and down. At it's highest setting, you would get no-to-low (on the dry side) skimmate. At it's lowest setting, you'll get a lot of wet skimmate. Have you tried different positions?


Also, with no fish in the system yet, there is very little waste to be pulled out. You are probably getting a very light green to yellow colored skimmate at this point, correct? When you add some bioload, it will darken up.


One last thing. Certain liquid foods/additives can make skimmers go into overproduction. Are you dosing or feeding the tank with aything?

[JGorske]

I have had the skimmer on its highest setting (I even tried jimmy-rigging it to sit even higher) for the past month or so...all it is pulling is white, bubbly water....no skimmate at all. The bubbles are so large that they are just overflowing the output tube (sorry best I can describe it) from the skimmer. No additives or food yet, only Ph balancer and some calcium mix (and this only recently). I've seen the skimmer working for other people and it seems like the skimmate essentially oozes up the output tube. This is not what is happening for me...instead it is overflowing with many white large bubbles that pop above the tube. If I didn't have a drain fitting, it would overflow in minutes. Clamps are tight...

[Original Fin]

Hmmm...something seems very wrong. Have you tried getting Aqua C on the phone?


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- Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JGorske]

I'll have to try that...unfortunate. Thanks for your help!