TROUBLE WITH PRECISION MARINE BULLET 2 SKIMMER

[cam78]

Anyone have one of these? Sometimes it seems to be skimming thick brown foam then sometimes it is just bubbling in the lower chamber with nothing happening. What's the deal? The tank has been only running since July 4th so does this have something to do with it? Help please

 

[meowzer]

does this happen at any specific times.....for example after feeding...adding anything.... or water changes???

 

[posiden]

+1
 
Some things will make them do what you describe, while others will drive a skimmer nutty.

 

[cam78]

Thats the thing, it just happens. Don't know exactly when. Seems very inconsistant.

 

[acrylic51]

Beckett style skimmers which the bullet is can be very finicky at times.... Alot of things can affect their skiing performance/ability. I have an MRC Beckett very similar to the PM's and even air quality will affect how it skims. Do you smoke or anything like that around it? Have you checked the air intakes to make sure they are clear and clean? My MRC has silencers with prefilters and when the clog the skimmer drops off. Foods, hands/oils will affect performance as well. What pump are you using to drive the skimmer?

 

[acrylic51]

Sorry wasn't thinking.... Have you pulled it apart??? Where the Beckett is and cleaned the Beckett? If/when they clog the skimmer gets erratic. I had mine ingest a label from a probe and made it's way through the pump and lodged in the injector slightly blocking it.....

 

[cam78]

Thanks. You know what. Before my skimmer I have two Filter socks. It looks like only when the filter socks are dirty it begins to skim. I changed the socks last night and now again it is just bubbling water. Is it possible the water is too clean to skim? This tank has only been up since July and I have one tang. I do have some brown/yellow looking film growing on the LR though.

 

[posiden]

From what I understand, floss, socks, and carbon do about the same thing as a skimmer. Just not as well.
 
If its a new tank, why are you running any filters? I would pull the socks.

 

[cam78]

Go to the "Share your Aquarium" forum. I have pics and maybe it will help explain/show why I have socks. Its labeled 120 Plumbed into basement