Help with Skimmer

[TheDon]

Hi Guys,

Having problems with a used TMC Skimmer! It was working in a previous tank but hasn’t been used for around 3/4 months. I put it in my MiniReef 90 yesterday and I could adjust the water height and even had the pump all the way up to no17. See first video..

NOTE I could adjust water height up and down no problem even on highest pump setting.






This morning it was overflowing and bubbling over like mad! I dialled it right back and it was still the same! I reduced the pump right down to 1 and it’s settled a little but still bubbling over and loads of micro bubbles in sump! The dial is on the lowest setting and I can’t lower the bubbles no matter what. I’ve also messed around with height of skimmer to no avail. 2nd video.

NOTE Skimmer is it now on lowest settings. I can only higher the water level in skimmer which makes it overflow like mad! Pump is on lowest setting No1

 

[TheDon]

Not sure if videos are working, I might have to upload to YouTube.

 

[Uncle99]

Can’t see the video but overflow skim on lowest setting is usually that the water it’s in is too high.

 

[TheDon]

Video one

 

[TheDon]

Video Two lowest settings and pump on 1 and can’t lower bubbles in chamber anymore.

 

[TheDon]

Edited first post with videos

 

[TheDon]

Can’t see the video but overflow skim on lowest setting is usually that the water it’s in is too high.

Yeah I’ve tried in further up as you can see in video two, if I go any higher then pumps virtually out of water and any lower it just overflows like mad!

 

[Uncle99]

Looks normal to me.

 

[TheDon]

Looks normal to me.

Really? First time I’ve had a skimmer, when I initially set it up (1st video) I could make water in chamber go up or down by twisting the knob! Now in 2nd video I can’t adjust it down as it’s on lowest setting! I can only adjust it up which makes it overflow! Plus pump is on speed 1

 

[ptrusk]

Step-by-step instructions for fine-tuning the performance of any needle wheel skimmer​

1. Open Wedge Pipe or Gate Valve: Set the wedge pipe or gate valve to open fully. For a wedge pipe, this generally means lining up the adjustment knob arrow to arrow, and for a gate valve, this means opening it up as much as it will go.

2. Adjust Pump Speed: If you have a speed-controllable pump, turn it to 100%. (Pump speed control would likely be on a controller)

3. Adjust Air Intake: Completely close the air valve and then slowly open it, keeping a close watch on the level of the foam and bubbles inside the skimmer body. The smaller the air bubble, the better. Continue making minor changes to the air valve until you get the absolute peak height of the bubbles in your skimmer body. This will generally take 5-10 minutes to complete, as you will want to wait at least 30-60 seconds between adjustments.

Although it may seem counter-intuitive, closing the air valve decreases the size of the bubbles and increases the amount of air entering the skimmer’s body. This occurs because the pump speeds up when the airflow is restricted, pulling in more air than when the valve is fully open.

4. Adjust Water Level: Slowly turn the wedge pipe valve or gate valve to reduce the amount of water exiting the skimmer body. This will force the water to rise higher in the skimmer’s body. Stop when the bubbles start to reach the bottom of the collection cup/neck of the skimmer, as shown in the image below.

5. Be Patient: Wait 1-2 minutes, and then, if needed, make an additional adjustment to keep the bubbles near the bottom of the collection cup/neck of the skimmer. After 15-30 minutes, you should begin to see larger bubbles forming at the top of the bubble column/foam head.

6. Monitor: After 1-2 hours, the bubble column should naturally rise so that the bubbles are surging up and over into the collection cup. During regular operation, the bubble column/foam head will surge up and down naturally.

7. Check Skimmate: If the waste in your collection cup is very light-colored, open the wedge pipe or gate valve slightly to lower the water level. However, if you barely collect anything, you will want to close the wedge pipe or gate valve slightly to push more bubbles into the collection cup. The goal is to collect brown waste, similar to that of dark-brewed tea.

 

[ptrusk]

Your silencer appears to be full of water. You have to drain that.

 

[TheDon]

Your silencer appears to be full of water. You have to drain that.

You mean the air valve at side? There is no water in that.

 

[Uncle99]

Really? First time I’ve had a skimmer, when I initially set it up (1st video) I could make water in chamber go up or down by twisting the knob! Now in 2nd video I can’t adjust it down as it’s on lowest setting! I can only adjust it up which makes it overflow! Plus pump is on speed 1

Check Venturi for a plug.

 

[TheDon]

Check Venturi for a plug.

Plug?

Sorry not sure what you mean

 

[Uncle99]

Plug?

Sorry not sure what you mean

Small amounts of calcium build up in the Venturi (air) intake and needs cleaning. Check carefully. Even if you can “blow” through the opening, clean it more using a small drill bit. Move the bit by hand in the opening in which the air is added.

It sounds like this is plugged up. Mine does that every 3 months or so

You posted it worked, then did not.