i need help with my protein skimmer

[pcmc3]

i have a sealife seastorm 250 protein skimmer but i have no clue what size air pump i need or how i get it to skim actually please help asap my tank will be done tomarrow

 

[frantz]

It doesn't need an air pump, it takes a water pump. I have no experience with this particular skimmer but looking at http://www.sealifesystems.com/SeaStorm-250-Protein-Skimmer-br-with-pump.html">this site</a> it comes with a 375 gph pump factory.

Most skimmers seem to take a few days running before they stabilize. It took me awhile of tinkering with my sump and skimmer before I finally got good results. Get it in and with the pump on and see how it runs for you. Don't get discouraged, they can be picky!

 

[shanepike]

I can't help you, but someone will. In the meantime, don't sweat it. You don't need a skimmer for your aquarium to work.

 

[mrflameangel]

This is what their website sells with a new skimmer.

Recommended Aquarium Size: up to 250 gals
Dimensions: 22"x 5"
Footprint with pump: 5.5"x 8.25"
Output Flow Rate: 375 gph
Included Pump: C3000

 

[pcmc3]

i have the water pump but itsnotskimming i mean like the air pump i need

 

[mrflameangel]

U shouldn't need one. What do you have the skimmer in trying to make it skim?

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

so maybe you should post a pic of what it is doing. It doesn't require an air pump. The water pump does all the work and creates the bubbles. Did you buy it new or used? Somewhere on the pump or the skimmer there should be a venturi valve with a air hose connected. This is where the skimmer gets it's air to create bubbles OR the pump could be equipped with a pinwheel impeller on it and that would also create bubbles.

 

[pcmc3]

its a insumpim justconfused how it makes the bubbles toget the stuff into the cup

 

[frantz]

Skimmers get air through the water pump. There should be a small tube that attaches somewhere and then you run that out into the air. Some have air valves that allow you to adjust the air flow in addition to water flow. No airstone or airpump needed with this style.

Edit: you have some bubbles then right? You might not have enough water flow or you might need a higher water level. Most this size seem to use 6-8 inches.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

something like this:

 

[pcmc3]

okay yes it gets bubles through the pump and also has a little turn valve but i thought that it had to have air pump going trought it to make the bubles go into the cup

Edit: i have the pump but i dont have that little peice with the hose

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

pcmc3;849429 wrote: okay yes it gets bubles through the pump and also has a little turn valve but i thought that it had to have air pump going trought it to make the bubles go into the cup

Edit: i have the pump but i dont have that little peice with the hose

There's your issue. That's a venturi valve and you need one in order to produce the bubbles. What it does is pulls air in as the water passes through it. Venturi's are pretty easy to come by.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sedra-3500-Skimmer-Parts-Venturi-Air-Hose-and-Elbow-Brand-NEW-/160872942714?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2574c64c7a">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sedra-3500-Skimmer-Parts-Venturi-Air-Hose-and-Elbow-Brand-NEW-/160872942714?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2574c64c7a</a>

[IMG]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Venturi-Valve-V50-by-CPR-1-2-Sch-40-Slip-X-Slip-/280220911892?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item413e77c914">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Venturi-Valve-V50-by-CPR-1-2-Sch-40-Slip-X-Slip-/280220911892?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item413e77c914</a>

[IMG]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Venturi-Valve-V75-by-CPR-3-4-Sch-40-Slip-X-Slip-/280220912451?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item413e77cb43">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Venturi-Valve-V75-by-CPR-3-4-Sch-40-Slip-X-Slip-/280220912451?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item413e77cb43</a>

 

[pcmc3]

i lied i have something like it on the actual protein skimmer it self

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

ok. Are you getting any bubbles at all? If not, then you may have the return valve to far open or you may not be operating in deep enough water.

 

[curtismaximus]

I think a couple pictures might help us figure out what's going on also.