Help!! Protein Skimmer leaking!

[mdsnlwlsn]

I just set up my tank and turned on the skimmer. at first i thought it was going to explode, it filled up with water really fast. I adjusted the water level all the way down and that helped, but the water level is still almost all the way to the top of the upper chamber and there's no foaming action going on. It also seems to be leaking a little water from the part where the bottom chamber connects to the top of the second chamber where there water level should be at. I don't know if it's broken, if i didn't put it together right, if this is just part of the process, if i need to adjust/connect something?? i just don't know!!!! noob help pleeease!

 

[Zombie]

What Skimmer is it?

 

[mdsnlwlsn]

i don't know, here's a photo. it hangs on the side and theres a little guy inside that takes in the water and tube coming off that with a little guy that takes in the air. i'm really sorry i just am the newest to this-- this is literally the first time i've ever turned this thing on and today was my first day hooking up the tank.

 

[mdsnlwlsn]

you can see the water level coming up into the upper part, and you might be able to see that it's leaking between that red thing and the black compartment below it

 

[MBG75]

That's a coralife skimmer.
There should be an o-ring between the upper and lower sections


If the skimmer is new, it will take a week to break in and start foaming.



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[MBG75]

Double post...

 

[mdsnlwlsn]

that worked! thank you so much! the leaking still hasn't stopped though. do you know what might be the cause, or what a quick fix may be? i really appreciate the help

 

[MBG75]

Separate the top and bottom at the red nut, see if the o-ring is in there.

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[mdsnlwlsn]

wow you're a lifesaver!! that was the problem, the leak seems to be fixed and the water level is normal. i guess i just have to wait on the foaming. thank you so so much. i'm really glad i joined r2r

 

[MBG75]

No problem.
Is there bubbles in the skimmer? Don't look like it in the pic.

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[Zombie]

I have one of the larger versions of that skimmer.

Instructions
http://c3.f3images.com/IMD/UserManuals/ES33000.pdf

 

[mdsnlwlsn]

no i dont see any bubbles, definitely a bubbling noise though

 

[MBG75]

There should be bubbles in the lower chamber...like this....

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[Dowtish]

you should actually see the bubbles originate in the hose coming from the pump in your tank. if there are small micro bubbles, then you may need to see if the needle wheel impeller is functioning correctly.

 

[tike]

My experience with these skimmers is over time it will leak again,just use plumbers tape on the threads and that will take care of the problem.

 

[mdsnlwlsn]

There should be bubbles in the lower chamber...like this....

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hmm.. yea none of those it looks like just regular water. how do i check to see if there's something broken?

 

[Troylee]

You might have the hose pushed to far into the front of the pump... Try pulling it out a little bit... Also blow into the airline and make sure there is no clogs...

 

[robert]

Could it be that the power-head is too deeply submerged in the tank and is not capable of drawing air down that far?

I've never had one of these skimmers - but I had a remora once and tried to hide the pump by extending it deeper into the tank. It couldn't draw air unless the pump was close to the surface.

Just throwing out an idea - I have not idea what I'm talking about.

 

[jai]

I just set up my tank and turned on the skimmer. at first i thought it was going to explode, it filled up with water really fast. I adjusted the water level all the way down and that helped, but the water level is still almost all the way to the top of the upper chamber and there's no foaming action going on. It also seems to be leaking a little water from the part where the bottom chamber connects to the top of the second chamber where there water level should be at. I don't know if it's broken, if i didn't put it together right, if this is just part of the process, if i need to adjust/connect something?? i just don't know!!!! noob help pleeease!