Protein skimmer not skimming

[mikesilverado8888]

I have a Red Sea max 250 just bought a new protein skimmer pump it doesn't work any better than the old one. Is there a crack or something that could be causing the protein skimmer not to skim

 

[twilliard]

What is it doing?
Its not the pump that makes it skim it the air intake and the efficiency of the bubble size and contact time.

 

[mikesilverado8888]

The bubbles are really little

 

[twilliard]

As in size or volume?
The smaller the better but volume is key also

 

[mikesilverado8888]

As in size or volume?
The smaller the better but volume is key also

Size

 

[mikesilverado8888]

The bubbles aren't making to the top

 

[twilliard]

I would check your air intake, venturi.
Sounds like its not drawing enough air

Pictures of the pump and venturi would help :-)

 

[mikesilverado8888]

I would check your air intake, venturi.
Sounds like its not drawing enough air

Pictures of the pump and venturi would help :-)

it's fully open all the air it can get is open

 

[mikesilverado8888]

Maybe it just needs time to build up

 

[twilliard]

I am thinking the air inlet needs to be cleaned out

 

[Dtackett]

agreed with twilliard. clean it all really well. see what happens. I know of a lot of people who will drill out the venturi and fitted a bigger hose to allow more air but I wouldn't do that unless its a last resort.

 

[mikesilverado8888]

I am thinking the air inlet needs to be cleaned out

It's a brand-new pump with brand-new air inlet

 

[twilliard]

Can you blow air through it easily?
If so it may also be cavitating