Busted Remora Skimmer

[ZBT3091]

After taking the skimmer apart for cleaning, there appeared to be no gunk whatsoever inside. I ran the entire skimming unit through a freshwater/vinegar concentrate in a 5 gal bucket, and the maxijet through the vinegar bath for an additional 10 minutes. The entire skimmer is now running in a freshwater only bucket to clean out all the vinegar to go back into the maintank, even with the vinegar and water bath, there seemed to be a minimal amount of bubbles, and not nearly enough to get skimmate into the collection cup...i think my skimmer just might not work. Should i try changing the powerhead to maybe something stronger?

 

[Killerdrgn]

skimmers will not bubble in freshwater.

 

[ZBT3091]

even in the main tank, the middle chamber is absolutely flat with no bubbles. The collection cup is as low as possible to get any bubbles, but theres nothing. Maybe i should upgrade the maxijet to something a little stronger? Are there anybetter powerheads?

 

[ZBT3091]

Is a mag 3 a better choice?

 

[tosiek]

Did you add a new longer hose to the skimmer? if you did thats part of your problem. Its a certain size and if you extend it it won;t work properly. Clean out the pump well, make sure its pumping alot, then unscrew the white screw in the inside and shove a pipe cleaner inside to clean out that nozzle well. don't lose the screw and screw it back in.

After you use the vinegar ur going to have to break in the skimmer again. It should be producing some type of bubbles inside (not foam) and if it is its working and just give it time. In the water inside it should have alot of bubbles inside as the current goes through. If that made sense.

 

[tosiek]

and no the 1200 is perfect. if its not working then something else is wrong.

 

[OctaviousMonk]

The issue is with the injector as this is where the "bubbles" are made. The water is forced through this injector causing major turbulance in the water resulting in bubles. Take that white screw out and clean out inside the hole, nothing should be blocking it. Also take of that strainer part off the powerhead and put on the other screen. If you are not hearing a hissing sound coming from the injector then something is wrong with it; or it is not getting enough flow.

 

[ZBT3091]

i shorted the tubing so that the powerhead is literally touching the intake. I learned my lesson when i forgot to put in the intake screw and water sprayed out and onto all the surge protectors. It seems to be working better with the "hissing noise" happening for about 1 second every 3. hopefully the skimmer will just break in and start pulling heavier skimmate overtime

 

[Cibo]

The main point is this skimmer has been in service for 8 months and did not work!!!
I have the same skimmer mine did nothing for a week or two I think they need some gunk to work, but after 8 months you eather have a supper clean tank or a broken skimmer I would go with choice B call the maker of the skimmer to see what they say.

good luck!

 

[caad3]

I have the same skimmer with a mag 3. Mine stop skimming recently, due to my lazy @#$ not cleaning it. Wow, was it filled with crap, both the pump and the skimmer. Give it a good vinegar bath, and take apart you pump and clean. I think my pump was to blame as its flow was pretty low. Its kicking out some major foam now.

 

[ZBT3091]

wow. the skimmer is really starting to pull some skimmate. it just started "working" last night, and has already pulled about 1/8th of the cup with skimmate. the middle chamber is starting to "bubble"...looking very similar to when you blow bubbles in chocolate milk with a straw. sorry for doubting you aqua c remora :redface: