My SWC 160 Protein Skimmer IS NOT WORKING

al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
So yesterday I noticed that my skimmer is not skimming. The bubbles are not being produced. So today I take it out of the sump cleam it up, soak it in vingar for an hour put it all back together and still not making the bubbles. Have any of you ever had these problems with this type of a skimmer before.
Thanks Al
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
It could be an air lock problem. Sounds crazy but try blowing down the air tube. Double check your valve, make sure it's not closed.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
haha, glad it worked. I think it's a fairly common issue on start up with some of those air silencers on skimmers.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
I just find it odd that it would start out of the blue. Now everytime i shut it down I have to reprime it. i will have to play around with it, thanks again Corey.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
I was gonne pick the airline next
:( AL I bet you will be watching it more often....usually when something does something odd.....that is it for me....I am always peeking at it
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working#post_3398743
I just find it odd that it would start out of the blue. Now everytime i shut it down I have to reprime it. i will have to play around with it, thanks again Corey.
I'll have to double check around on some threads. I think it depends on how you have the air adjustment set. Some guys are running them a little closer to their max depth with the air wide open. May have to tweak things around a little bit to help avoid that issue.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
SOmething else interesting happened when I shut the pump (main pump) I noticed that the 40 breeder had a much lower water level with everything off. So I looked at the vertical spray bar and sure enough the top hole was plugged. Just to say you really need to keep on eye on everything, had my sump not been big enough it would have overflowed. Remember that conversation months back COrey when I was going to go with th 20 gallon sump, I would have been in a different mood if I had that sump. Always leave lots of room in your sumps for error.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Definitely. I got into a discussion with Bean Animal about utilizing holes on returns for a siphon break and they seem to be more prone to failure than I previously thought because of things like that. So something to keep an eye on for sure. Hey, I also just read to keep an eye out for salt creep built up in the venturi on the skimmer blocking off some of the air.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working#post_3398757
Definitely. I got into a discussion with Bean Animal about utilizing holes on returns for a siphon break and they seem to be more prone to failure than I previously thought because of things like that. So something to keep an eye on for sure. Hey, I also just read to keep an eye out for salt creep built up in the venturi on the skimmer blocking off some of the air.
Good points Corey
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
I have the flow bars on my tank...and I run a small brush over the holes frequently...sometimes I have to use a toothpick.....LOL
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working#post_3398757
Definitely. I got into a discussion with Bean Animal about utilizing holes on returns for a siphon break and they seem to be more prone to failure than I previously thought because of things like that. So something to keep an eye on for sure. Hey, I also just read to keep an eye out for salt creep built up in the venturi on the skimmer blocking off some of the air.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
After reading this...I realized I had not cleaned out my overflow tubes in a while YIKES...I had a bigglob of gha in one....and the outer overflow box is full of aptasia...YIKES.....well I cleaned out the O/F's and what a difference it made.....I will work on the aptasia another day, almost bed time HAHA
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
I am amazed what will grow in these sumps and fuges over a short period of time. I have a sponge in my sump and it was full of real sponges on the bottom.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
OK now it is not working at all - I blow down the air intake and no bubbles forming in the scrubber!!!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top