Skimmer Problem - No Air Bubbles After Cleaning

[Fish_Fry]

I am having problems with my protein skimmer and I'm hoping someone can help me out. I have a bubble magnus curve 5 elite.

TL;DR

I recently cleaned it. It was producing small bubbles for a couple of days, now it’s stopped producing bubbles. The pump is running, impeller is clean & spinning, The airline is clean, there is no salt creep clogging anything, the water level in the sump is the same as always.

More deets:

I’ve had it for about two years and until now it’s been working great. I recently cleaned it, and it stopped producing bubbles. I then disassembled it, cleaned, reassembled it, reinstalled it, had the same problem, got frustrated, disassembled it again, soaked parts in citric acid, and then reinstalled everything.

I think there was a very small clog where the airline enters the venturi before it gets to the needle wheel. After this last cleaning I was able to suck air through it. However, where the airline enters the venturi is not completely open. There seems to be a little plastic part inside blocking part of the path. It’s not coming loose, so it seems like this is part of the design. The only way to open the hole more would be to drill it, so I don't believe that's the answer. I should have taken a picture, but once I was able to get air through the opening, I assumed I solved my problem.

The skimmer then worked great for two days, but now it’s no longer producing small bubbles.

Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Can you blow air into it while it is running? The only thing I can think of is that it is blocked.

 

[Fish_Fry]

I can blow into it and it doesn't seem to be clogged.

 

[Reef Jedi]

Sounds like water in the air intake valve. Make sure it’s connected at the bottom of the skimmer and there’s no obstruction in the air intake line. Also maybe make sure there’s no pinhole or something sucking in water for the air intake assembly. These are just thoughts.

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

I can blow into it and it doesn't seem to be clogged.

I'd expect some bubbles in the skimmer if you can blow into the air line while it is running. That is literally pushing air to the needle-wheel impeller. Water is flowing through the skimmer, correct? (so pump must be running)

 

[Tangdora]

Do NOT drill it get a pick tool for cleaning the venture probably. It is designed that way for a reason so that water passing through the center created a vacuum on the air line port this effect is what pulls in air

As for no bubble issue first open gate valve all the way and make sure water level in sump is the correct level. If it produces at this stage means to much water was in the body and just needs adjusting. If no bubble. You venture is truly dirty or has a bad seal that is allowing water to get behind it. The Venturi suction if working properly should be strong enough to the point where sticking the end of the air hose in the water has enough force to suck up water.

 

[KrisReef]

Any update on the status of the bubbles?

My old Venturi skimmers often got calcium buildup in them that was removed by soaking the skimmer (or parts thereof) in vinegar. Only later I found out that vinegar eats the impeller magnet so I switched to pool acid but citric acid is also safe

 

[Fish_Fry]

I got it working. There seems to have been something clogging the venturi. The citric acid didn't work, nor did poking it gently. I ended up using more pressure than I thought I should and it opened up more.

Thanks for all the suggestions

T