My new skimmer isn't pulling air... Break in period?

[TCUguy]

My new recirculating skimmer isn't Pulling air through the venturi (water actually rises into the air tube). Could this be because of the break in period and it will start pulling air in later or the actual Venturi is not working?

 

[Guest]

Not pulling air. What skimmer is it and pump is it? Try blowing air in the tubing

 

[TCUguy]

@kuyatwo wrote:

Pacific coast rps 2000 (same as reef octopus recirc model for up to 185gal tanks).

I'll look at the pump when I get home. I thinks it's an aquamax

If I blow through the tubing then yes air gets in and makes bubbles but otherwise wont pull air on it's own
The venturi is just a straight pipe thing going right before the pump, maybe I should cut it at an angle so there is more pronounced negative pressure and creates a stronger venturi? Or is this part of the break in period?

 

[Guest]

Make sure it has the right impeller on there. That I think is ocean runner type. You using mesh or pinwheel. If mesh it could be stuck try turning the cover a little to give itnsome room the once it gets going lock it down.


Also is the water flowing from your feeder pump or skimmer pump actually pushing it. To me sounds like your skimmer pump is stuck

 

[Wes]

@TCUguy wrote:

If I blow through the tubing then yes air gets in and makes bubbles"]

hook an air pump up to it, lol [smilie=devil.gif]

 

[bimmerzs]

Sounds like an impeller issue...

Cheers,

 

[TCUguy]

Ok! I stayed up 4 hours last night till this thing worked!

EVERYONE. a lot of skimmers have these two part fittings where the venturi connects. An inside fitting and the outside one that slips over. Both have a whole that "should" be matched up to allow the venturi to work unobstructed.... CHECK IT!

Mine were slightly off (manufacturing error), just enough to cause the venturi not to work. As soon as i drilled the two fittings to match, voila! everything was making bubbles PERFECTLY.

Thanks everyone! thanks!

Ive never seen so many bubbles in a skimmer! wooo! .... now time to let it "break" in. So far im loving this idea of a recirculating skimmer (mine has a standpipe that you move up and down to adjust the water level... no gate valves, ball valves, etc.... so simple!)