Aquamaxx hob skimmer help!

Ryan Rioux · Apr 16, 2017

Hello there , so a few days ago I noticed my skimmer cup on my aquamaxx skimmer not filling properly . I cleaned out cup just to be sure nothing was built up in chamber or cup . The skimmer was working ok but still not foaming up properly . Yesterday there was barely any bubbles flowing up in the water and no foam going up the cup , I unplugged the yellow hose that goes to silencer and blew in it and still nothing . Not sure what could be going on? Maybe pump is no good . The skimmer is probably 6-7 months old . I took it out of the tank to clean tomorrow .

tgp4274 · Apr 16, 2017

sounds like it blocked up..
good cleaning may help..
when have you tore it apart and cleaned last??

Ryan Rioux · Apr 16, 2017

tgp4274 said:
sounds like it blocked up..
good cleaning may help..
when have you tore it apart and cleaned last??

It was months ago when my tank was fallow . What should it be cleaned in? It must be blocked up or pump shot already which I doubt

steelwrap · Apr 16, 2017

No personal experience but I hear the yellow tube gets plugged with salt creep

flyfisherman · Apr 16, 2017

Pull it apart check the impeller they are finicky...like tap the pump with a screwdriver or rotate the housing slightly and it will spin better. Most likely this is your problem....new pump is expensive so try to rally what you have.

mcwhng · Apr 16, 2017

flyfisherman said:
Pull it apart check the impeller they are finicky...like tap the pump with a screwdriver or rotate the housing slightly and it will spin better. Most likely this is your problem....new pump is expensive so try to rally what you have.

I've got a aquamaxx hob coneS for 50 breeder mixed reef, almost 2 yrs old, that is basically a cone skimmer that keeps the tank really clean. But like the previous reefer said the Venturi airline (yellow tube) seems to clog easier than other skimmers. I routinely break down the skimmer every 3 months and run the pump in a half hot water half vinegar mix to really clean out deposits after I clear out any salt deposits in the Venturi inlet. I also run RODI water that's been warmed up in the microwave (50 seconds) through the yellow airline every week to prevent deposits. Just consider this routine maintenance!