i'm.....retarded

[bronco862]

so i already flooded my floor once.

anyone here good at giving directions???


it's a super skimmer 220.

i've got it hanging on the back.

the pump is submerged 3 inches into the tank.

it does not produce ANY bubbles whatsoever. how do i make it produce bubbles???? haha.all mine does is fill straight to the top, unless i turn the nob enough, but then it just shoots nothing but air out of the exhaust.

 

[bronco862]

am i supposed to be pumping air into this thing from an air pump as well???

i have zero clue as to what i'm doing

 

[dakota9]

Do you have an airline going to the pump? Most skimmer require that....


I'm 46yo and forgot I left the tub running two weeks ago. Water was halfway to the kitchen before I remembered.

You're not alone in being less than wise at times...

 

[johnr2604]

Given you have the air line connected to the pump and above the water level I would guess the venturi is clogged. Pull the pump off and run it in a vinigar and water mix overnight then pull the pump apart and clean it good. I bet that will fix it. These skimmers are notorious for the venturi getting clogged. You will also want to take the airline and submerge it underwater for a minute about twice a week to keep it from clogging up.

 

[rolo65]

there should be an air tube connection that would run from the pump above the water line....thats what pulls in air which in turn produces bubbles....then you adjust the dial on the exit line very slowly until you get it to the correct level.....i had the same problem so i know how it is......

 

[bronco862]

thanks guys. i'll try again, haha. we'll see. and i THINK it's a venturi, but i dont know what to look for.

 

[bronco862]

yay!!!!!! it worked that time haha

 

[bronco862]

now all i have to do is find out where on the knob i have to turn it to make the bubbles stop coming out of the exit hose. haha

 

[bronco862]

another question. should i leave the exit chamber fully open for a while to see if it evens out on it's own, or should i just be able to magically find the sweet spot???

 

[dakota9]

I've always relied on magic

 

[weaglereefer]

Is it new or used? If new, leave the level low so there is time to break in. It may have a bubble trap box that came with it, and if you're having bubble problems, you may need to use this.

 

[bronco862]

nope. it's used....

the only time i can get it so that bubbles don't come out are when i put my finger on top of the air escape hole on the exit tube...but then it doesnt skim i dont think. the water level goes from almost at the collection cup, to back down so i cant see where the water level is.

 

[down and outman]

I'm an old hand at the Coralife Super Skimmer. The tube on the pump feeds air into the skimmer. There's another airtube on the outflow pipe. If you plug that up it'll reduce microbubbles. I aways hated the bubble trap (gunk trap). Try a filter sock (small one) to reduce microbubbles. I also recommend having a 5 gal bucket under it, as they are notorious about overflowing. They also run best with a consistant water level, with the pump 3" below the water line.

CSS are actually a good skimmer. Mine would clear a tank in no time. Just watch what you put in there. Always rinse frozen foods in RO/DI water, as the juice will cause it to overflow. Set it low and gradually bring up the level till you find the sweet spot.

Happy Skimming!

 

[freezerrat]

I had one of these skimmers. Had trouble ALL the time with it clogging. I got a Whisper air pump and hooked it up to push air through. No more clogging after that. A lot more bubbles and it was a much more consistent skimmer.

 

[cjsparky]

Taylor,

Just wanted to follow up and see how it is going with the skimmer now.

Another way to prevent bubbles entering the tank is to run my DIY return into a filter sock...Just fashion a means to hang it around the return.

CJ