Problem with external skimmer

[Micky]

I bought this bubble magus external protein skimmer qq3 for my tank. Everything seems to be working fine when I plug it in but for some reason it overflows really really fast. Got no idea how to fix this issue can someone please help me out here.

 

[Reeferjunkie]

Turn it all the way down and check the air line to make sure it's getting air

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

assuming its not a mechanical issue. if its brand new then its the new plastic reacting to the saltwater. best way to fix it fast would be to give it a bath in vinegar or acetic acid to get the new plastic oils off it,

 

[vetteguy53081]

Skimmers work on an air and water mix and either its too far in the water or air control is turned too far up. If you turn it down and no change, try elevating the unit out of water a little even if you have to shim it up

 

[Micky]

Turn it all the way down and check the air line to make sure it's getting air

I did what you said and it still overflows really fast also a lot of micro bubbles

 

[Micky]

Skimmers work on an air and water mix and either its too far in the water or air control is turned too far up. If you turn it down and no change, try elevating the unit out of water a little even if you have to shim it up

Tried what you said but still no changes

 

[Reeferjunkie]

I would adjust the lvl of water in your tank or the skimmer if possible or maybe run the skimmer in a bucket with something under it and adjust and break it in some

 

[Rmckoy]

Skimmers work on an air and water mix and either its too far in the water or air control is turned too far up. If you turn it down and no change, try elevating the unit out of water a little even if you have to shim it up

External work a little
Different as they’re not submerged in water .
they use a separate pump to supply the water .
a gate valve is generally used to regulate the water height within the skimmer
Open the gate valve to allow more water to flow freely out the output ( into the sump )

some such as a reef octopus I had years ago .
used a large supply pump
To fill with water , but had a needle wheel recirculating pump attached to
The skimmer to
Create the bubbles .

 

[Rmckoy]

External skimmer .
1) water comes in the supply line ( top right )
2) the air is sucked in through a injector
Some use a needle wheel pump , others use a Venturi
3) gate valve used to open or close restricting flow which will increase the water level in the skimmer .

 

[TheDragonsReef]

It can be one of 4 things with an external skimmer

1. If its the first skimmer on the tank or just a new skimmer it may need to break in for a while. Just turn all the settings down as far as you can and let it overflow for awhile and see if it stops. You may need to add some salt water to top off after.

2. Too much water in the skimmer body, adjust gate valve or raise higher if its not draining properly

3. Too much flow into the skimmer, pumps too big etc. Either use a valve to limit flow after the pump, turn the pump down if its dc, or downsize the pump

4. Too much airflow, adjust air valve or turn down air pump.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I ran an external skimmer a cpl times. At 1st my set up was on a 5g bucket a large tile from the hardware store. Lol. I hard to raise it above my sump.
Hths u
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Had*

 

[doubleshot00]

Try mounting it higher out of the tank. Imo intank and hob skimmers are all terribly designed especially if you have a rimmed tank.

 

[Rmckoy]

the only reason to raise a external skimmer
Would be to allow the output to flow into the sump level .

but in theory ….. the only thing to over flow would be the collection cup . Which should have some sort of drain hose adapter

Do you have pictures of the “external” skimmer ?

 

[Micky]

the only reason to raise a external skimmer
Would be to allow the output to flow into the sump level .

but in theory ….. the only thing to over flow would be the collection cup . Which should have some sort of drain hose adapter

Do you have pictures of the “external” skimmer ?

It does have a drain hose but it’s over flowing to fast for it to be effective here’s a picture of my skimmer

 

[Rmckoy]

It does have a drain hose but it’s over flowing to fast for it to be effective here’s a picture of my skimmer

That looks more like a hob skimmer

 

[Micky]

That looks more like a hob skimmer

Oh sorry it’s just that it said external on the side of it

 

[lowellb]

I bought this bubble magus external protein skimmer qq3 for my tank. Everything seems to be working fine when I plug it in but for some reason it overflows really really fast. Got no idea how to fix this issue can someone please help me out here.

You have to install an adjustment valve from spare parts of other skimmer onto the top of the silencer cup, I used light activated epoxy to seal a hose from another skimmer.