Please help...skimmer question.

[rebecky45]

Okay, so I purchased a 45 gallon reef tank that had been set up for 5 years or so. They said the skimmer had been acting funny, so I was prepared to buy a new one. The skimmer is attached to a refugium that hangs off the back (I think its a CPR skimmer). I cleaned everything out, but the output of the skimmer was very inconsistent. One hour there would be no output, and the next it would seem like there was way too much and that it was too clear or watered down.
I purchased a new water pump today and was hoping this would help (the pump was made for the CPR skimmer - its an Accela powerhead). It seems a bit better, but is still a bit inconsistent...

My questions:

1. Is it normal for skimmer output to vary throughout the day without adjusting the air intake valve?
2. Am I being too paranoid about the output? I adjust it frequently, but only because sometimes the bubbles don't even come halfway up the pipe, and other times, they are spilling out.
3. Should I just buy a new skimmer?

Please help! I am new to SW and any comments would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Squishie89]

Do you know how long he had had the skimmer for? I am not very familiar with HOB skimmers and their needs, but for in sump ones they can vary on the height of the water. So, is the water level pretty consistant? Do you have ATO, if no, how often are you replenishing evaporated water?
Hopefully my reply will bump this up and get this some more attention for you.

 

[ShannPeach]

I have a cheapy HOB skimmer for one of my tanks and it is VERY touchy about water level. If it's too high it doesn't skim at all. So I second Squishie89's question about how consistent your water levels are. I have to top off my 50g every day to keep the water level right for the skimmer.

How often are you adjusting it? You said you are adjusting it frequently...just how frequently? I would try to set it so the bubbles are almost to the top where they would then over flow...like an inch below. Then let it go for a bit. As the skimmer "breaks in" (which it will likely need to do again since you gave it a very thorough cleaning) the bubbles and gunk should start to work their way up that last inch or so, but it also gives you a degree of safety so your skimmer cup doesn't overflow with watery skimmate. This has at least been what's worked for me and my HOB skimmer (although mine isn't a CPR)

 

[markalot]

Howdy,

I believe I have the same piece of equipment so hopefully I can help, though not much good news here.

It used to be sold as the CPR Aerofuge skimmer and refugium. I purchased the medium sized model for my 40 and frankly it's one of the worst purchases I've ever made. The refugium is really to small to do much good and the skimmer is very very touchy and unreliable. Here's what I know and how I've improved performance.

I kept the original pump, since the flow rate is critical for performance and not pushing micro-bubbles from the skimmer back into the tank. My original pump was a Hydor Pico pump, I forget the exact GPH. This pump should be cleaned once a month otherwise gunk buildup will slow the flow and hurt skimmer performance.

The air intake for the skimmer has the blue cap on it that rotates to vary the flow. Inside that cap is a sponge that constantly gets clogged, for me anyway, by salt creep or dust. If you remove the cap and the sponge you'll make the unit louder but also see more production of bubbles.

The skimmer cup adjustment using the black rubber band thingy is something that you'll need to look at and adjust once a week, along with cleaning the cup throat with a round brush. Generally I like to keep the water level right at or a tad above the bottom of the cup throat base. A little lower than shown in the picture above. I'm not sure if this is correct or not, and I'm not sure if the picture above is showing the ideal position or not. Anyway, this usually results in the cup filling with fairly dark water over a 3 or 4 day period. It's inconsistent and will vary from hour to hour and day to day. I'm honestly not sure if this is normal but it's always been the case with mine. I do know that putting some additives in the water or sticking your hands in the water will stop the skimmer from producing skimmate, sometimes for almost a day.

I've also used some glue that has set the skimmer off and cause it to overproduce for a few hours.

Maintenance:

Over time things get dirty. The throat to the skimmer cup will get dirty fast and the dirtier it gets the lower the performance. You don't want it squeaky clean since this also hurts performance, but you also don't want it 1/4 closed up with muck.

You'll also notice the skimmer water level changing when you observe the water height compared with the base of the skimmer throat (the very bottom of the cup assembly). If the water level gets too low you'll have the cup resting on the intake tube and performance will be poor to non existent. So what lowers the water level?

For me it's either reduced flow into the skimmer because the Pico pump is clogged, or the air intake tube is clogged and I'm getting less bubbles, so less water rise. I look to clean the air intake first, the easiest job, and if that doesn't do it I turn off and remove the pico pump, carefully remove the intake cover, clean it out, re-assemble and re-attach. If neither of these fixes it then it's time for a more complete cleaning. Remove the skimmer from the fuge and see if you can find any rubble or dirt in the bubble maker assembly. I had a few rocks and bits of sand get in there and easily cleaned mine with a strong jet of water. Make sure to rinse everything with RO/DI water before putting back into the fuge.

Hope this helps!

 

[rebecky45]

Thanks a lot for the info you guys! I gave the water pump a good cleaning and that has greatly helped. The skimmer was running for about 5 years, but yeah, I did clean it pretty good, so I'm sure it'll take a bit to get back up. I've realized that I'm just picking at it too much. I think I've got it figured out alright, though. One thing though - you mentioned adjusting the level of the collection cup? I'm not sure that I can do that in mine (the photo above is similar, but not quite the same). I'm not sure what the "black rubber band thingy" that adjusts the skimmer cup is. My skimmer cup rests on the intake from the tank to the main skimmer box...The water level is definitely higher in my tank than in the picture shown above. Any insight?

 

[rebecky45]

Oh, and my water levels are actually pretty stable. I have a cover on my tank, so I don't have to add water too often. Not sure if that makes much difference.

 

[markalot]

Thanks a lot for the info you guys! I gave the water pump a good cleaning and that has greatly helped. The skimmer was running for about 5 years, but yeah, I did clean it pretty good, so I'm sure it'll take a bit to get back up. I've realized that I'm just picking at it too much. I think I've got it figured out alright, though. One thing though - you mentioned adjusting the level of the collection cup? I'm not sure that I can do that in mine (the photo above is similar, but not quite the same). I'm not sure what the "black rubber band thingy" that adjusts the skimmer cup is. My skimmer cup rests on the intake from the tank to the main skimmer box...The water level is definitely higher in my tank than in the picture shown above. Any insight?

Woops, then you are missing a part. Take a standard rubber band and place it around the cup so you can lift the cup higher up. You can see it in the picture, it's a black rubber band that prevents the cup from going too deep. Yes, it's that crude.

 

[rebecky45]

Yowza...I noticed that earlier and WOW...what a difference that makes!! All that stress and worry over a rubber band?!?!?! A little silly, but I'm glad it was that easy of a fix. Thanks a TON to everyone who helped solve my little mystery. Probably an obvious fix to everyone else, but it was quite the conundrum for me. SO glad it's fixed now!!!