Protein Skimmer not working

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00pflint

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I bought the Miniq Bubble Magnus protein skimmer and was running it for a couple days without an issue but suddenly it isn't spinning. I have tried to raise and lower it, as well as have taken it apart to make sure the spinny bit was working. It just isn't producing bubbles. I tried to run it outside of the tank when I took it apart and I can hear and feel it humming but it just isn't spinning. I'm not sure what to do. Sometimes it I use a different USB adapter it will start for a second and then just stop but this isn't consistent. I'm not sure what to do
 
Iam a little confused, it’s spinning or not?
Is there flow? If so, it’s spinn8ng.

or is it stopping and starting? Exchanging unlike power can be problematic.

Check the Venturi (the air intake) it can be easily blocked. Push a drill bit same size through the hole.

Venturi takes in air, impeller chops it up.

If impeller is jammed, remove and clean both it and the inside of the motor housing.

It should spin even with the cover off.
 
Contact their support and try to watch YouTube videos on its function and compare etc. their support team should be able to help you though.
 
Check the Venturi (the air intake) it can be easily blocked. Push a drill bit same size through the hole.

Venturi takes in air, impeller chops it up.
How can I find the venturi?
 
How can I find the venturi?
Called air inlet tube on yours. See page 2.
https://www.seasideaquatics.com/BM/QQ2.pdf
Just to the right of the sponge and diffuser.

So the impeller must push flow through the skimmer and the air inlet takes air to the impeller housing where it’s chopped up and released into the chamber, upwards, to spill over in your cup.

You’ll need to adjust flow for correct skim.
 
Last edited:
How can I find the venturi?
Called air inlet tube on yours. See page 2.
https://www.seasideaquatics.com/BM/QQ2.pdf
Just to the right of the sponge and diffuser.

So the impeller must push flow through the skimmer and the air inlet takes air to the impeller housing where it’s chopped up and released into the chamber, upwards, to spill over in your cup.

You’ll need to adjust flow for correct skim.
This documentation is for a different model, and is also the only one I can find online. Mine came with poorly printed documentation with no mention of a venturi or air intake. I just took a brush it came with and ran that through everything I could with no luck. Sometimes it will start for a fraction of a second when plugged in but then stop, this isn't consistent though.
 
Hey don’t get too bummed we’ve all been there at some point I would definitely look at nyos or reef octo you pay more than the magnus skimmers but I love my nyos top of the line imo never tried royal exclusives skimmers but have thought about trying one out eventually
 
This documentation is for a different model, and is also the only one I can find online. Mine came with poorly printed documentation with no mention of a venturi or air intake. I just took a brush it came with and ran that through everything I could with no luck. Sometimes it will start for a fraction of a second when plugged in but then stop, this isn't consistent though.
Don't bother with instructions, just check youtube. There is a 'how to use' video for almost every single aquarium product.
 
I would not buy a Nyos, I am not sure if he is using sarcasm.
Can you take a picture of your pump?
Here are pictures. I've tried to find someone who ran into this issue and I haven't seen anyone. I also can't seem to find anything on YouTube about it. I'm considering returning it but I've read this is one of the better nano skimmers for the price
 

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Called air inlet tube on yours. See page 2.
https://www.seasideaquatics.com/BM/QQ2.pdf
Just to the right of the sponge and diffuser.

So the impeller must push flow through the skimmer and the air inlet takes air to the impeller housing where it’s chopped up and released into the chamber, upwards, to spill over in your cup.

You’ll need to adjust flow for correct skim.


This is a different documentation than mine. I'll post pictures of my documentation. I took it entirely apart and tried to clean everything but no luck. I also tried to run the motor in the water without anything and the impeller won't spin, nothing seems to be jamming it
 

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Don't bother with instructions, just check youtube. There is a 'how to use' video for almost every single aquarium product.
I've tried to find one but I can't seem to find anything that I've done wrong when I see how others have set it up. I tried to run the motor in only the water and even that won't work
 
I've tried to find one but I can't seem to find anything that I've done wrong when I see how others have set it up. I tried to run the motor in only the water and even that won't work
If the motor impeller doesn’t spin when powered, and it does spin by hand, it’s gone.

Without that, no use trying anything else.

If it’s returnable, I’d just do that.
 
This is a different documentation than mine. I'll post pictures of my documentation. I took it entirely apart and tried to clean everything but no luck. I also tried to run the motor in the water without anything and the impeller won't spin, nothing seems to be jamming it
Seems there are multiple versions, gee that’s helpful.
At the end of the day it’s a skimmer, it should be hung, and plugged in without any trouble whatsoever.

Yours appears to be damaged, possibly a return that was reboxed, or, damaged in transit.

Don’t waste no more time. Even if you could get it to run, I would not trust it.
 
I've tried to find one but I can't seem to find anything that I've done wrong when I see how others have set it up. I tried to run the motor in only the water and even that won't work
If the motor impeller doesn’t spin when powered, and it does spin by hand, it’s gone.

Without that, no use trying anything else.

If it’s returnable, I’d just do that.
I should still be able to and appreciate the confirmation on that idea. Thank you so much!
 

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