Skimmer problems? Here is the first area to inspect

[twilliard]

I see skimmer threads pop up here and there about skimmer performance.
Well I will show you the first area of concern when it comes to a skimmer that is just not acting right.
Ever notice you have to adjust the output, speed, water height over the course of time?
Check the venturi!
Here I will point out the 2 common areas of a venturi. Well basically the only 2 areas of concern.
The screwdriver in these pictures point to the areas. You will notice a buildup. Every skimmer I have owned, and I have a huge boneyard of them, requires this routine maintenance.
This is the venturi of my Helix 5000 skimmer. Most all venturi's are made like this.
First the air inlet. You will notice the "ring" down by the tip of the screwdriver. Chip this out.


Next inside the venturi, you will see a mound right where the air enters the venturi. Chip this out also.


Once you chip out these two areas there is nothing left to disrupt the airflow :)
Hope this help out!
-Todd

 

[skim]

Just a quick cheater to add. Sometimes you can get away with or use a monthly maintenance. Get a cup of RO water and take the hose from the Silencer and put it into cup and let the pump suck in the water, do once to a few times as needed and believe it not it does work.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Good info, Todd. Thanks!

 

[twilliard]

Thank you!
I will be adding to this in sections. Next up will be magnet performance and cooling efficiency.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Great advice Todd! If you had the time, you could dissolve that stalagmite of precipitation in vinegar, but I know I need the skimmer back quick, so I do the chipping off of this ppt as well. What a difference in performance once this is cleaned off. If that doesn't fix it, pull out the pump and take it apart and clean that up real well.

 

[Bruce Burnett]

Just a quick cheater to add. Sometimes you can get away with or use a monthly maintenance. Get a cup of RO water and take the hose from the Silencer and put it into cup and let the pump suck in the water, do once to a few times as needed and believe it not it does work.

works even better if you warm the water in the cup up in the microwave

 

[redfishbluefish]

It's not the greatest picture, but here's the start of precipitate in a venture. For me it grows on the top of the round piece directly across from where the air enters the venture.