What's wrong with my skimmer?

MVI_2910.mp4 Video by brianpinneyphotography | Photobucket

 

Was set up seemingly running fine for 8 months. Have cleaned it in vinegar twice in that time... both times quickly working just fine again. This week, the skimmer has been acting rather weird. I will say, I had spilled some carbon in the sump while moving some things around and some of that had gotten into the skimmer. However, it worked "fine" during that and I've cleaned it since.

This past week, I put new plumbing on... and the foam head is just gone.

Reef Octopus NWB-150 btw.

 

My bet is on salt creep in the air intake. Take of the grey or black ring the air inlet hose hooks up to and clean it out

 

Yeah, just cleaned it. No change in performance. I pulled it all apart right before that, unless it's in the white tubing itself.

 

Nope, that's not it.

 

there is a little hole thats clogged easily. I use a pin to clear it. take off the hose and look at it. My 2000xp started doing that too after about 8 months to a year and it took me a while to figure it out.

 

Looked to me like you had plenty of bubbles, but I may be wrong.

Did you clean the new plumbing before installing? Residual manufacturing chemicals can cause the foam head to crash, similar to putting a dirty hand in your tank. If that's the issue, it may take a few days for things to get back to normal.

 

Rinsed it but perhaps I didn't clean it well enough.

 

I'm preparing a 30 gallon water change. It'll finish off the bag I picked up while waiting for the bucket to come in. Nothing wrong with a water change...

 

New PVC work will destroy the foam head. You will just have to wait. It's the glue and chemicals. Run some more carbon if you are not.

No real need for a water change... unless you really want to... but it will not bring back the foam head.