ASM G4X shooting water everywhere

[4FordFamily]

Anyone know why this would happen? Water is shooting out of the "adjuster" at 10x the normal pressure. It is still skimming although making a giant mess!

So far all I have tried is to blow in the air tube, check the water inlet for obstructions (although this would have the opposite effect theoretically), and bang the skimmer 4 or 5 times wondering if an obstruction is causing this strange overnight change in behavior.

Pump is a sedra 9500 I think (whatever comes with them).

 

[mcarroll]

Pic?

 

[AZDesertRat]

Take the air tube off and run a small drill bit down through the little nipple the hose slips on to ream out any calcium build up. I do this monthly on my ASM G3.

 

[twilliard]

Instead of drawing air it's pushing water out?

 

[AZDesertRat]

How long have you had the skimmer and did it ever work correctly? Sounds like what would happen with a normal impeller and not a needlewheel impeller if it were replaced or changed.

 

[4FordFamily]

I've had it for about one year it worked fine until a few weeks ago. I don't have a photo I'll try to upload one.

 

[4FordFamily]

Instead of drawing air it's pushing water out?

No the clear hose for air drawing in is not spewing water it's the adjustment thing to the right where typically 1/5 or less water tends to come out, where you adjust how wet or dry it skims

 

[4FordFamily]

I tried blowing in it to no avail, so I will give this a shot. Thanks!

 

[4FordFamily]

I tried blowing in it to no avail, so I will give this a shot. Thanks!

 

[hybridazn]

You haven't done the gate valve mod yet??

 

[4FordFamily]

You haven't done the gate valve mod yet??

I don't even know what that is! I will say that after cleaning it it's back to normal. Must have been a blockage with the air hose or something?

 

[hybridazn]

I don't even know what that is! I will say that after cleaning it it's back to normal. Must have been a blockage with the air hose or something?

Here's a crappy pic I found real quick. I do the gate valve to all the asm skimmers I own, it's really easy and your hand won't get wet anymore lol

 

[reef_junkie]

Sedra pumps are workhorses. As soon as that venturi gets clogged it will rocket water into the skimmer.

 

[4FordFamily]

Here's a crappy pic I found real quick. I do the gate valve to all the asm skimmers I own, it's really easy and your hand won't get wet anymore lol

That looks pretty simple - you just installed it in lieu of the plastic thing we adjust up and down (old school gravity baby). The water is removed at the end at the far left of the photo? I'm trying to figure out how it works. Bear in mind I am the least handy human being that ever walked this earth.

 

[hybridazn]

Yup you figured it out, it's just a way to keep your hands dry. In all the plumbing parts might cost $20 (depending where you get the gate valve) and 10 minutes of your time

 

[4FordFamily]

Update - a good cleaning fixed the problem entirely. Thanks everyone!