Skimmer failure.

[jayu]

I was away from home over the weekend and arrived back to a broken skimmer. It seems as tho the pump has failed. My apex says the skimmer is receiving power however no air bubbles.

My skimmer is external, plumbed directly to my return line so breaking it down to inspect can be a task. I don't think I'll have time over the next few days to get this figured out, but I'm wondering how long I have to fix or replace it, in the event that it is indeed broken.

Might be a good time to get that larger sump and skimmer I've been wanting.

Any thoughts?

 

[ff337]

Plug it into another wall outlet bypassing.the apex outlet. If it works. The apex outlet might be broken or needs to be.updated. if it doesn't you can go on a shopping spree.

 

[rdnelson]

+1 on FF337 idea. As for how long you have, should be able to go a while depending on your bio-load. You can guage that by the skimmate you did get when it worked well. If you only got a little, you can go a long time, if you had lots of skimmate, you wouldn't want to go too long. The trade off is that is just isn't removing the organics that it normally would so they will start to build up in your tank. You can offset that by doing more water changes in the meantime if you think it is a problem.

 

[ripped tide]

Is the airline clogged?

Edit: With that skimmer, the recirculating part is where the Venturi is, correct? It could be salt deposits blocking air flow.

 

[acroholic]

Until you replace/repair the skimmer, you can make up for it not working by increasing your water changes.

 

[ichthyoid]

Ripped Tide;793907 wrote: Is the airline clogged?

Edit: With that skimmer, the recirculating part is where the Venturi is, correct? It could be salt deposits blocking air flow.

+1
When is the last time you cleaned it? Having a skimmer that is inaccessible is a formula for problems, IMO.

 

[jayu]

I'm going to check for clogs this evening. Hopefully that's what it is so I can avoid the shopping spree. Thanks for the input.

 

[jayu]

ichthyoid;793939 wrote: +1
When is the last time you cleaned it? Having a skimmer that is inaccessible is a formula for problems, IMO.

About 3 months ago.

I can get to the skimmer fine. I just don't have the time to do it right now. I'm more or less concerned about having to replace it if I find it needs to be replaced.

 

[ichthyoid]

My skimmers won't do much if I let them go that long.

Maybe that's just me (?).

 

[jayu]

ichthyoid;793969 wrote: My skimmers won't do much if I let them go that long.

Maybe that's just me (?).

Are talking about the collection cup, neck or pump?

 

[ichthyoid]

I clean the cup weekly, or sooner if needed. Some models have a tube fitting so the skimmate goes to a separate collection vessel/jug.

The skimmer and pump get pulled and cleaned at least 2x/mo. Maybe that's just me (?). Like everyone, I get busy too.

They begin to lose efficiency when/if goo/poo builds up too much on the inside of the riser tube.

This is the reason some higher end skimmers have a 'wash down' or 'wiper' option. These allow for less maintenance.

Of course, if oversized enough, you might get away with less cleaning.

Venturi's are prone to calcium build up, so the amount of air being delivered gradually decreases, until it eventually stops (per Dylan's post above). This kills efficiency, and is most of the cause for having to 'tweak' the skimmer (air adjustment), IMO.

Just curious, but what skimmer do you have?

 

[jayu]

The recirculating version of the reef octopus 110. I forget the actual model number. I clean my cup at least once a week. The neck gets cleaned a couple of times a month but I'll break it down every 4 months and get the pumps and all clean.

Hopefully it's just clogged which will indicate I need to do a full clean out more often.

 

[acroholic]

I'd take the recirc pump apart and check for calcium buildup on the impeller magnet and the impeller slot in the sump itself. With enough buildup it can make it so the magnet rubs and catches on the impeller slot. Might be a vinegar soak will take care of the issue.

One thing you never clarified: is the pump moving water or not or just not drawing air? If the pump still works, then you have a simple clog somewhere. Easy enough to fix. If the pump is broken, are you still under warranty? I had a bubble blaster go out on a SRO1000SSS, and Coralvue shipped me a new pump.

 

[jayu]

There is water running the the skimmer. I assume from it being plumbed to my return line. The skimmer just isn't creating bubbles. I can't tell if the pimp is broken or clogged until I can take it apart. The only thing I noticed is that the pump was hot when I touched it. Hotter than normal so maybe thats an indication is just jammed.

I'll know more tonight. But yes it is still under warranty.

 

[acroholic]

JayU;794031 wrote: There is water running the the skimmer. I assume from it being plumbed to my return line. The skimmer just isn't creating bubbles. I can't tell if the pimp is broken or clogged until I can take it apart. The only thing I noticed is that the pump was hot when I touched it. Hotter than normal so maybe thats an indication is just jammed.

I'll know more tonight. But yes it is still under warranty.

OK gotcha...you feed the external from the return line. Didn't see that earlier. Sounds like it is jammed. If the impeller was turning it would probably be drawing air. I'd unplug it until you have a chance to look at it, if you haven't already done that.

 

[ichthyoid]

+1, I agree w/ Dave, unplug it til you have time to pull it apart.

If it feels warmer than usual, likely a jammed impeller.

If its pushing water, but not drawing air, then the Venturi is clogged.

 

[jayu]

It's been unplugged.

I'll give you guys an update later. I'm starting to get confused with the suggestions.

 

[fidofence]

Mine just stopped working today to, I took it all apart and cleaned it and still nothing. I guess I will try to get them to send a new pump

 

[jayu]

Back in business. The pumps impeller was clogged with built up gunk. I cleaned it out and now I'm good to go.

Thanks for the help. I'm going to follow the advice and clean it out more often.

 

[ichthyoid]

Great to hear Jay!