HELP ... Protein Skimmer Acting Funny

[specialk]

Also might want to check that the magnet spins freely on the shaft

Ok, check this on the pump obviously correct?

 

[specialk]

You should be able to complete cleaning in a couple hours. Place an air stone in the tank to help with O2 during this time if you are worried about it. I would not leave it out for two days though.

Ok so I am going to soak the entire pump and skimmer in vinegar and water and let this soak for a few hours ... then give it a shot again

 

[twilliard]

Ok, check this on the pump obviously correct?

yes the magnet must spin freely on the ceramic shaft

 

[jenreefer]

Ok so I am going to soak the entire pump and skimmer in vinegar and water and let this soak for a few hours ... then give it a shot again

I do it in the sink with water vinegar mix and turn it on so that water is moving through system.

 

[specialk]

I do it in the sink with water vinegar mix and turn it on so that water is moving through system.

OK so basically just run the skimmer for a few hours in the water vinegar mix...I will do this now

 

[MaiReef]

Is there anything in the impeller? Sand / snails? Also, is the magnet and the chamber where the impeller sits clean. If so, I would reassemble a try pump in a sink or bucket. If it doesn't work after it is taken apart and cleaned, I think you need a new pump.

 

[specialk]

yes the magnet must spin freely on the ceramic shaft

Yes seems to be cranking along nicely without any issues

 

[specialk]

Is there anything in the impeller? Sand / snails? Also, is the magnet and the chamber where the impeller sits clean. If so, I would reassemble a try pump in a sink or bucket. If it doesn't work after it is taken apart and cleaned, I think you need a new pump.

Yah everything seems to be working fine. The pump alone in a bucket was moving the water and at a good clip ... if this cleaning I am doing right now does not work, that's my next try...a new pump. Thank god my lfs is right across the street

 

[MaiReef]

Is the pump producing bubbles in the bucket?

 

[specialk]

Someone tell me vinegar mixed with water creates a lot of bubbles and the issue I was having still exists because it could not have been this simple

So I am not getting my hopes up here ....but cmon it can't have been resolved just this quick and from a bit of vinegar....could it?

I dumped some vinegar in, added some water and turned it on fully expecting the same fat bubbles and issues I was having...instead this is what it looks like, and it looks like it used to and normal...but again this is just because vinegar bubbles a lot right...lol?

 

[specialk]

Is the pump producing bubbles in the bucket?

Yes it was ...all be it fat big ones

 

[jenreefer]

Yes, it will bubble quite well with vinegar, but not because vinegar "bubbles" but it is a good sign. means the vinegar is dissolving the calcium build up on the skimmer.

I clean all equipment in vinegar every 1-2 months. skimmer maybe only once every 6 months.

Make sure to drain vinegar bath when it is done and fill with water only and run again to remove most of vinegar from the system.

 

[MaiReef]

It actually can be that simple. Clean equipment usually works better

 

[specialk]

Yes, it will bubble quite well with vinegar, but not because vinegar "bubbles" but it is a good sign. means the vinegar is dissolving the calcium build up on the skimmer.

I clean all equipment in vinegar every 1-2 months. skimmer maybe only once every 6 months.

Make sure to drain vinegar bath when it is done and fill with water only and run again to remove most of vinegar from the system.

OK so I am going to keep this going for about 2 hours ...but do you think the noticeable difference in the bubbles IS a good sign ...or hard to tell and I have to basically wait and see till later?

 

[jenreefer]

OK so I am going to keep this going for about 2 hours ...but do you think the noticeable difference in the bubbles IS a good sign ...or hard to tell and I have to basically wait and see till later?

Well, you can see the skimmer is working. If you put it back in sump and it goes back to big bubbles, then it is not the skimmer but the water. There are many things that can cause the water viscosity to change. You may need to see what else could be going on with the tank. I would run all tests now to evaluate water quality, along with listing all things added to tank. Something that you always do, may be the culprit is the product is new bottle and changes formula, etc.

Of course, lack of fine bubbles usually corrects itself in 24 hours without intervention. You may have had something on your skin when you placed your arm in the tank that caused the issue. Likely not a major deal. Just watch tank inhabitants and make sure they are not showing signs of toxicity from some contaminant.

 

[MaiReef]

I know the eshopps do not have an air control valve, but you can sort of mess with the tube with an airline valve to reduce air and that sometimes changes the size and amount of bubbles. To first test you can just squeeze the end of the air tube to see how it changes.

 

[specialk]

Welp [emoji38][emoji38]its working .. thanks to ALL who chimed in here and helped me on this issue. Would have never figured it out without the help!

I hope someone else who goes thru this same issue with their skimmer finds this thread and it helps them!

Bottom line = vinegar is MAGIC and cleans in spots and places that the eye cant see!