Need Skimmer Advise

So check the air line and venturi to make sure they are clear.

 

i have this skimmer and absolutely love it.

 

I would try a new pump before buying a whole new skimmer just a thought

 

Well I am trying to contact them, going to see if they send me a new pump, if they do then I wont look into getting a new skimmer but If they disagree to replacing their faulty equipment then I will put it up for sale.

Also the venturi and Air line are completely cleared, no salt creep nothing not even partial bits of water, nada. The pump puts water into the chamber but no bubbles are produced, not even bubbles from sucking in the water lol. The problem is equipment related.

 

How much do you plan on getting for a skimmer that does not work?

The venturi creates a low pressure area that draws air in. If there are no bubbles, then there is no air. If there is no air, a new pump will not necessarily fix that.

Can you blow air into the pump? If the pump is only pumping water and no air, it should be filling up the skimmer and overflowing. How much do you have the skimmer out let open? Can you maintain a water level/ Is it normal?

 

what exactly do you mean by blow air into the pump, the part that sucks the air in? the tubing? the Venturi chamber? because i can blow air into the tubing and chamber. And the water level stays constant. I have it somewhere in the middle opened up. The water level I keep constant just below the cup. And if I have to buy a new pump, I would sell it for the cost of everything but the pump, it is only a year old.

 

Got it.

Ya... blow into the air line and see if air makes it to the pump.

Regardless.... just about all skimmer pumps are modified water pumps. They put a venturi to purposly draw air into the intake. A needle wheel chops up that air into bubble.... but a needle wheel will move water because it is a centrifical pump.

So air is draw in and displaces water.... less water moved. If there is no air, it will move more water. So normally if venturies are plugged or restricted, the skimmer will overflow....

So besides no air, do you think the water flow through the skimmer is normal? If the pump was indeed going bad and not putting out enough, then water flow would be reduced and there would not be enough venturi to draw air.... however... mag pumps are pretty darn simple and that is pretty hard to imagine. Normally a pump going bad is just a matter of bad bearings or support and vibs and noise are associated. Or there is crap in the pump and it will over heat.

 

Well I have finally worked things out with the company. The tech support I was talking to was not very helpful but the warranty department was amazing!! After many try's with working with the tech support and her yanking me through hoops I decided to go through the warranty department. The tech support told me last time o well your pump is to low below the water line it needs to be 5 inches below the water line, then it was 4 inches, then 3 which i didn't adjust to because it seemed like she was fishing for ideas, no pun intended by the way. After a conversation with her she said to put my hand around the pumps intake basket and see if it made any bubbles. Well I did that and it started making bubbles so she said to buy plumbers tape to put on the inside of the pump near the venturi tube and I did that and it is making bubbles but no guarentee on skimmate yet.

I contacted the warranty department and told them about my ordeal and that this hasnt worked in a few months and about the ordeal with tech support and them wanting me to make modifications to the product. I told him I shouldn't have to make alterations to a product to make it work and told him that I basically only buy coral life products and I respect their company and told them my concerns with my tank and how its doing without a proper skimmer and he is sending me Coralife 220 needle wheel protein skimmer , item # 05277. Which is I think either the new pump or complete new skimmer! I stand by coral life and its products to this day on their warranty services and great customer service along with the way the products production when it is working.

 

I think that you might have it powerman the pump goin out on it because when i made the opening shorter it happened to make bubbles.

 

That is good to hear about the company's good warranty coverage. Although not the best skimmer, some have good luck with them. I do hope it works out for you.