SKIMMER PROBLEMS AGAIN

[momma2angels]

Water is not flowing through it!!! Any ideas as to why. The pump is trying to work the thing(sorry) is spinning but it's not moving water through. I took the whole skimmer off and made sure that the tubes were all clear and they were. When I plugged it in it pulled some water into the center tube of the skimmer and then just stopped. I filled it the rest of the way and still nothing!! This is very frustrating. We bought an awesome frag over the weekend and I don't want to loose what is on it!!! Thanks!

 

[snakeblitz33]

I have a stupid question, but I gotta make sure...
Did you put the pumps return in the pipe or did you put the pumps intake in the pipe? Big difference...
You won't loose the frag, you could probably run your skimmer for a few weeks without noticing a major difference unless you have an extremely high bioload.

 

[momma2angels]

it was working til i had to clean it. I put it back right was trying to fine tune it today and it just quit moving water. Its a red sea so I may just go ahead and replace it. It's been a pain since I moved the tank.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Red Sea Berlin skimmer?
Make sure you don't have any ball/gate valves closed. Make sure
Also figure out if you have put the pumps outlet in the right hose. If you put it on backwards, the pump will be trying to suck air instead of water. See what I'm saying?
I would try my best to fix what I have before I throw in the towel and buy a new one when the old one could have done as good of a job.

 

[tur4k]

Make sure the pump doesn't have an air bubble around the impeller. Smaller pumps often get air trapped in them and won't work till you shake the bubble out.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Hmm, never heard of that or experienced it, but it's worth a try! What brand/type is it? how many gph?

 

[tur4k]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387760/skimmer-problems-again#post_3414223
Hmm, never heard of that or experienced it, but it's worth a try! What brand/type is it? how many gph?
I use some cheap little Rio 800's for reactors and auto top off. I've had it happen to them a few times where I drained the sump below the level of a Rio 800 and air got trapped in it. I had to turn the intake side up and give it a shake to get it pumping again.
I also had that happen to my old ASM G3 skimmer a few times before I replaced it with a Precision Marine Bullet II.

 

[xcali1985]

Quote:
Originally Posted by tur4k http:///t/387760/skimmer-problems-again#post_3414229
I use some cheap little Rio 800's for reactors and auto top off. I've had it happen to them a few times where I drained the sump below the level of a Rio 800 and air got trapped in it. I had to turn the intake side up and give it a shake to get it pumping again.
I also had that happen to my old ASM G3 skimmer a few times before I replaced it with a Precision Marine Bullet II.
I also have had this happen with my ASM model. Along with a few other pumps. Shake the pump, another thing to to is take it back apart and make sure there is nothing wedged in it.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Hah,
You know what - you just reminded me of something I do that I take for granted. After being in the hobby so long, I automatically tilt pumps in the water to get rid of the "bubble," I've never really had to think about it being a possible problem. lol, thank you.

 

[tur4k]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387760/skimmer-problems-again#post_3414276
Hah,
You know what - you just reminded me of something I do that I take for granted. After being in the hobby so long, I automatically tilt pumps in the water to get rid of the "bubble," I've never really had to think about it being a possible problem. lol, thank you.
Yeah. It's a bit harder to do with skimmers that have the pumps wedged into the bottom of them. It was always a pain in the butt getting the air out of the ASM.

 

[momma2angels]

the impeller is broke and we have order a new one. Thanks everyone for your help. Until it gets here I will be keeping a close eye on my Nitrates and doing water changes to keep them down!