Protein skimmer problem

[goosey]

Set up my tank again 3 months ago and my hang on cyclone protein skimmer cup keeps filling with water. Occasionally it will make the normal small amount of green goop like it did when I used it a few years ago, but mostly fills with water. Bubbles seem to be very fine. I've heard that it's still removing the undesireable material, but I can't run it more than an hour before it starts to overflow. I don't imagine that's enough time.

 

[worldwide zoo]

Sounds like the air tube(diffuser) is clogged. With these skimmers you need to completely take it apart and clean it every 3-6mo. or whenever efficiency drops. My Prism also did this and I found that there was a few tube worms forming in the air tube. I replaced the air tube and boom, working great. I keep my sea clone clean and so it's never had this problem.

 

[goosey]

Thanks. I'll see if I can figure out how to get it apart.

 

[dinogeorge]

Can you adjust the flow of incoming water? If its making bubbles, then the problem sounds more like your flow of water is such that it is forcing excess "wet" bubbles into the cup.
You should reduce the water flow IMO.
Good luck man