Protein Skimmer Not Producing Bubbles

[garnet13aj]

ok, so I just tried "tweaking" the adjustment valve, but the water level rises even before the bubbles start flowing, so if this is the answer to the bubble quesiton, my new question is how do I get the water level to stay steady while still being able to turn the adjustment valve enough to get bubbles to flow?

 

[zman1]

Define overflowing. We may be talking about two diferrent things. Typically overflowing means the water is running over and into the collection cup on top. It you are not talking about this but rather the water coming through the return pipe with the red knob on it, then this is normal and is how water is returned to the tank.

 

[garnet13aj]

Water is flowing at a very fast rate up into the collection cup and if the adjustment valve is not turn practically all the way into the closed position (so that no bubbles are flowing) it would even flow out of the collection cup and onto the floor.

 

[zman1]

Is any water coming through the Gray pipe with the red knob on it?

 

[garnet13aj]

Yes, but I'm not sure if it's flowing at full capacity, it's not dribbling out, it's a steady stream, but it's possible that it's only flowing at half the volume that it should...I'm getting a picture now...

 

[garnet13aj]

I took the output elbow off, so the flow would be visible...could we have possibley found the issue?!

 

[zman1]

Can you open the valve up a little futher with the elbow off like you did in the last picture. Does that give you more flow before rising water reaches the lip and overflows into your collection cup?

 

[garnet13aj]

ok, now the water/bubbles seem to be rising to an appropriate level randomly, so I'm going to just hope that it's worked it's problems out...but I've got a new question :S The output tube is sending some microbubbles back into the tank. Is this something I should worry about, and if so, what should I do about it?

 

[sign guy]

I figured it out! your skimmer has its own mind and dose not like you.
evewrynow and then when my skimmer wont produce bubbles I blow air dirrectly in the pumps intake to get it started. Now I know this wont perimnatyly fix your skimmer but It could rule out some things. try taking a air line tube and blowind directly into the pumps strainer

 

[garnet13aj]

Also, I'm getting a slow but constant drip from the red ring, anything I can put on it to make the seal more tight? I can't have constant dripping near electrical cords!

 

[sign guy]

witch red thing?

 

[garnet13aj]

I do think it's kinda crazy and it DEFINITELY has mind of it's own, but the skimmer part seems to be working now, it's just the drip and the bubbles being sent back into the tank that might be a problem...I really hope I'm not annoying anybody too much with the mutlitude of questions, hopefully I'll be able to return the favor some day...

 

[garnet13aj]

which red thing
the one that connects the collection cup to the skimmer.

 

[joncat24]

why are you using a rio 1100. Did the stock pump break??
Is that pump a needlwheel??, if not, that is your problem. Also that pump is only 380 gph and that skimmer calls for 550 gph with a needlewheel pump.

 

[joncat24]

Without a needlewheel, you are injecting too much water and not enuf air. which would explain the problem perfectly as to why it is overflowing

 

[zman1]

Originally Posted by sign guy
I figured it out! your skimmer has its own mind and dose not like you.
evewrynow and then when my skimmer wont produce bubbles I blow air dirrectly in the pumps intake to get it started. Now I know this wont perimnatyly fix your skimmer but It could rule out some things. try taking a air line tube and blowind directly into the pumps strainer
AHH they have a tendancy to not start drawing air - So you prime it -LOL
Actually that makes sense...
On my ASM I microwave RO water to warm it up and stick the air hose in the glass of water while it's running and this sucks the water out and flushes the line. House dust builds up in it over time and during power down saltwater rises in the tube and builds up.

 

[garnet13aj]

I'm using only the equipment that came w/the skimmer. Everything came in a box together, and that is why I'm using it. It came w/a needlewheel pump, that is what I'm using and it is not broken.

 

[joncat24]

Originally Posted by garnet13aj
I'm using only the equipment that came w/the skimmer. Everything came in a box together, and that is why I'm using it. It came w/a needlewheel pump, that is what I'm using and it is not broken.
did you buy the skimmer new??
also does it have the "o" ring on the collection cup seal?? if not that is why it is leaking. If you dont have it you can oreder a new one...

 

[garnet13aj]

The skimmer seems to be working now. The current issue (and hopefully the last) is that water is dripping where the collection cup is connected to the skimmer. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to make the seal tighter?

 

[garnet13aj]

Yes, I bought the skimmer new and yes the O ring is on, that's why I'm a bit surprised that it is still leaking.