powerhead impeller question

so i need to replace the pump to my skimmer (the pump is powerhead). now my question is can i just use any powerhead with any impeller or should it be an impeller for a skimmer, (the idea being that it will chop the air into smaller bubbles creating a better skimmate) is there going to be a noticable difference?

 

I understand your Q and that depends on the skimmer. As long as you keep the same GPH, it "should" be fine. I did something similar to a skimmer once. I ran an air line with a air stone down the "throat" of the skimmer and it made the skimmer go on over-drive. I had skimmate/bubbles coming out of my ears.....lol Trail and error

Luna

 

its a hang on skimmer/fuge by odyssea (not really great but it works), but i was trying to jump up in GPH because when the air line is in it kills the pump, it just wont push water (i had to put air pump on the other end because the pump is to low in the water to draw in air) i got it to "work" but there is not a lot of mirco-air bubbles so not doing alot of skimming, so i was hoping by jumping up size i would be able to draw in more giving me more skimmate, i am just worried about a "stock" impeller wont get the bubbles small enough

 

The air shouldnt be killing the GPH. Did you connect it correctly? Can you get a pick of it? Luna

 

correctly?? baiscly yes it was hooked up "right" its been mod so many times...
i cant get a pic of it now i am at work, haha. but you wouldnt be able to see it anyway. the intake for the powerhead has a grid on the bottom the air line goes in there. and unless i have the air line kinkned (i am talking almost completely cutting off air) the pump stops pushing water and air bubbles come up from the bottom of the pump. right now in order to keep the pump working and getting some skimmate i have the air line below the pump so it catches the air bubbles, and that kinda of works.

on another note you think that impeller wont matter, they will all give silimar size air bubbles?

 

No, there are many mods to impellers to reduce bubble size. I'll try to find some links.

EDIT: Here's one of a seaclone impeller mod that was done recently Impeller mod

 

Have you checked the air line and everything that has to do with the air flow? Sometimes it gets clogged up with salt creep and/or salt crystals and effects the skimmer the same way. Check it out. Luna

 

thanx, i thought that there was a difference in impellers, more blades would be better too, right? anything to help chop the air more

 

well when i first put the air pump on it worked, but then the quanity of air bubbles started to decrease, took it out and it was cloged. then once i cleaned out the air line was when i had this problem. there is to much air going into the pump and i think it knocks the impeller out of whack to it cant push water, thus getting a stronger pump. but i was worried about it not chopping the air bubbles small enough

 

I know which impellers you are talking about, there called Needle Wheel impellers and fractionating impellers to named a few. If the pump and skimmer arent made for that kind of air in-take system, you might have a problem. Before you go out ang buy something, check the air lines and such first. Luna