SWC Skimmer 120 Problems

[rhudgins]

I set up my SWC 120 skimmer two weeks ago and have yet to get any nice skimmate. I have played around with all of the water level and air valve adjustments to no avail. Even with the air valve completly open the air bubbles are extremely tiny going up the neck of the skimmer and I am not getting the proper foaming effect of the bubbles at the top of the neck. When I turn the skimmer off and blow through the air valve and turn the skimmer back on the bubbles are larger going up the neck and a nice frothy skimmate begins to build and work its way out of the neck. However once I leave it running for a few hours then the bubbles in the neck become extremely tiny again and no skimmate is produced. The skimmer is submerged 6 inches in the tank and the water level in the neck is set appx 3/4 of the way up. Has anyone had this problem?

 

[mluz]

I'm no skimmer expert by any means, but sometimes skimmers take more than 2 weeks to break in.

Did you wash it with vinegar and water before putting it into service? Sometimes the oils that are left from manufacturing hinder the production of the skimmer. It will take several weeks for these oils to dissipate and it will take longer to build up a foam head.

I'm sure someone will chime in with the proper water level, i remember reading that it was something like 8" for this model.

 

[rebelson]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLAgZopwyDM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6_t5ziZ3vU&feature=related

 

[guarda]

I always find chaeto bits blocking my skimmer intake pump vents. When I stick my hand in and clear the vents I get better force, bubbles, and skimmate instantly.

 

[rhudgins]

I did not wash the skimmer out before installing it. Should I remove the skimmer and do so tonight or just let it sit and hope the oils dissipate? The suggested water level is 5-8 inches so I figured that 6 inches would be fine.

 

[Killarsox]

Aim for around 8" not 6". I think you'll see a major improvement

 

[tynman]

I have one and I didnt wash it with anything. It broke in in just a couple of days but it can take up to a couple of weeks. But I think your problem is your water level the manufacture state for best results the water level should be 8 to 9 inches but check the sites to make sure. Make sure the intake isnt getting blocked by anything in your sump also.
http://www.saltwaterconnection.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=115

 

[FlyTekk]

I get a feeling i dont know how to tune my own swc skimmer.

 

[rhudgins]

Last night when I got home I turned the skimmer around so that the intake was facing the powerhead. Previously the intake was facing a more stagnet area of the tank. This morning it appears that the skimmer was beginning to produce a decent foam. I think it may have been something to do with the current. Hopefully when I get home the skimmer will have kicked into 5th gear!