Troubleshooting a Venturi Skimmer (Coralife)

[Tethys]

My Coralife Super Skimmer (venturi, needle-wheel technology, model 33002, 125 gallon) is producing some bubbles, but they are not really "micro bubbles", more like "macro bubbles", and there are definitely not enough of them. I've cleaned the pump parts (impeller, etc.), and the venturi chamber and air line are clean and intact (everything was pretty clean to begin with anyway). I don't really know what else to try. Do the pumps that come with these skimmers tend to deteriorate over time? The only thing I can think of is that the pump isn't pulling as much water as it should, thus less air is being pulled in, resulting in insufficient bubble production. Anyone encounter similar problems? Do I just need to replace the pump?

 

[JohnK]

This is probably a silly question, but are you by chance testing it in freshwater?

 

[Tethys]

This is probably a silly question, but are you by chance testing it in freshwater?

I actually am. Is there an inherent difference in bubble production between fresh and salt water? I assumed there wasn't because I literally just took it out of my sump, where it was behaving similarly in saltwater. I just thought I'd troubleshoot it with fresh water since I don't have any salt water made up right now.

 

[JohnK]

Yup, there is a tremendous difference how bubbles act in freshwater vs saltwater.

Try it in saltwater and you'll probably be pleasantly surprised

 

[JohnK]

And then check the salinity in your tank. Big bubbles usually mean either freshwater, or very diluted saltwater. Not enough but still tiny bubbles is what you see when a skimmer is underperforming in saltwater.

 

[Tethys]

Yup, there is a tremendous difference how bubbles act in freshwater vs saltwater.

Try it in saltwater and you'll probably be pleasantly surprised

Wow. I feel a bit foolish. I just put it back in the sump and it's working completely fine. Not sure what was wrong in the first place, but I guess it was prob a good thing that I took it out and cleaned it anyway.

Thanks for the help! Doh!

 

[JohnK]

Naw, you were probably right in the first place that it needed a cleaning. Once you cleaned it, it was fixed but it just failed the freshwater test.

I'm an expert in silly mistakes. Want to know why?

 

[The Ng Thing]

AHHHHHH Jimmy!!!!!!!!! I made my own skimmer and then abandoned the idea because I had this problem.... I bet it works fine I just didn't test it right... THANK YOU SO MUCH! I feel so silly, hahaha

 

[jdeb101]

This was my first skimmer and I never had luck with it. I could never get the level correct, and it either didnt produce bubbles or would overflow. I finally had enough of it when it flooded my room with about 2-3 gallons of water.

Maybe someday Ill mess with it again and try to figure it out, but for now its sitting in my basement. I'm very happy with my Remora Pro.