Skimmer on my Last Nerve!

So, out of the 5 months I've been running my skimmer it has only worked properly for like a week. I'm having issues getting it to collect correctly.

Either the water is totally overflowing out of the collection cup (which caused my fire a month or so back), or the water doesn't have enough pressure to go all the way up into the collection cup. I've done everything possible with the air valve that I can.....what is the problem? It's so frustrating!!

Thanks! +K

 

what skimmer is it?

 

I seem to have the same recurring problem, although it's working for a slightly larger amount of time total.

 

When things get to the point that it only works 99% of the time it is best to just buy a new more reliable item. I love my SWc xtreme 160 cone.

 

Make sure all your valves are working properly. That is where I would start, and Make sure nothings clogging anything. Normally the airvalves have the presurized part of the skimmer which causes the water to go up into the chamber and foam... As far as Im aware. Could be wrong.

 

It's an Octopus Extreme 160. I hate to buy a new one, since this was like 300 bucks and is practically brand new....there must be something I can do to make it work better!

 

yeah nothing is blocking. For the past week or so it hasn't been foaming, but just pouring water out of the collection cup. I fiddled with it last night and then it was foaming too much and not reaching the collection cup. ahhhh!

 

seal the air valve a little with somethin, a small rubber tube worked for me with string on the end, i know its atotally different brand but thats all i can say im afraid

 

This might sound odd to you, What Id do as a last resort before a new skimmer is take it appart and then reassemble it and start it up again, sometimes youd be surprised how that works

 

I could give that a try. Why not! lol Won't hurt anything.