I have a bubble magus hob (hang on back) protein skimmer. When I set up my tank I bought this brand new and it broke in a few days. It skimmed well for several months. Then one day it just stopped producing. It been several months since it has skimmed. I have torn it down several times. It's needle wheel is in good visual condition. It makes tons of bubbles. But the foam always goes flat, or ocasionally it does foam up, but I end up with slightly cloudy saltwater in the cup. This skimmer actually worked really well at one time. But I can't seem to find anything wrong with it. I know this is a new model and not very popular, so I don't expect anyone to have any experience , but if any general advice on needle wheel skimmers may be helpful. I have given it plenty of time in betweent cleanings to break in again, and I try Not to touch the reaction chamber with bare hands. It would be nice to get this going again. When it worked properly my nitrates we're near 0. Not a have to do massive water changes just to keep them below 40. If I can't get this working I will be in the market for a new skimmer. A hob will not be required, because I have since added a sump.
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Protein skimmer problem.
- Thread starter David
- Start date
I have cleaned the orafice to the ventury, and have run it without the silencer, to ensure it gets unrestricted air. The needle wheel pump seems to have lost power. The last few times I started it up, I had a hard time getting it to prime. I have scrutinized it for any restrictions & found none. The pump costs as much as the whole skimmer. The the unit use to be able to pull water up the intake and prime its self. Now I have to plug my finger over the air intake to get it to prime. There is nothing broken on the impeller, and the bearings have been cleaned and inspected.
I would scrap the HOB and get a good one for your sump. Paul, redfishbluefish, has a nice one for sale.
I agree its the air intake, had this problem many times, salt builds up inside the plastic part of pump and prevents air.
I would have to use a toothpick and clean it out every week or two.
I agree its the air intake, had this problem many times, salt builds up inside the plastic part of pump and prevents air.
I would have to use a toothpick and clean it out every week or two.
I agree, however all the skimmers I see for nanos, are either hob, or designed for bio cube chambers. I have a sump with about 7" deep water in it. The submersable ones for the bio cubes are designed to sit much deeper in the water with just the colection cup above the water line. Any suggestions?
I have come to the conclusion that I new in sump skimmer is the solution to the problem. Being I only have 14 gal total water volume, and 7" deep sump, are there any skimmer anyone knows of that will work? I'm not to proud to take someone's used one off your hands if someone has one they would sell. I'm sure there are more than a few that started with smaller tanks and upgraded to larger. If you no longer need your small skimmer let me know.
@David I have an old Coralife 65g skimmer. I am missing some parts (like the line to hook the pump to the skimmer) which you should be able to pick up cheap at a hardware store. It worked ok in my sump but about 7 or 8 months ago I upgraded to an Reef Octopus 110SSS which is kicking butt but costly. If you want you can have the coralife skimmer. I live in the LBI area an work in Galloway area.
What about a DIY mame style nano skimmer (DIY) | NJ Reef Club
Back to your original Bubble Magus HOB, I would make sure the air inlet portion of the venturi is nice and clean. They typically get clogged up with precipitated gunk, causing poor bubble formation. Vinegar alone typically won't do it. I have to chip it out using something small to get in there.
(FYI, my venturi is white and typically the precipitate is white and therefore hard to see....but you can feel the "bump" with whatever you use to chip it off.)
And I'm not sure where you live, but if close by to Sayreville, I'll take a look at the skimmer for you.
(FYI, my venturi is white and typically the precipitate is white and therefore hard to see....but you can feel the "bump" with whatever you use to chip it off.)
And I'm not sure where you live, but if close by to Sayreville, I'll take a look at the skimmer for you.
I already chipped that out. I know exactly what your talking about. I though that would fix it for sure, but it still doesn't work right. I've gone through every part of the skimmer a dozen times. I can't explaine it, but it just doesn't seem to be able to move water and air like it use too. The pump just seems week. It was a very effective skimmer when it worked right. When I start up the pump, it can't pull water up the intake. I have to prime it by drawing a vaccum through the air tube. It use to have enough power to draw the water up the intake on its own. I never ran the pump dry, or did anything to compromise the pump.
I have a corallife 65 skimmer operating in my sump. It's old and has a few bandaid repaired, but at least I know it fits and it works. I will be getting the one from njtiger24 in a few weeks that is in good condition. This one has a Few hairline cracks, and the air nipple is broken off the Venturi. I just shoved the tube in the hole were the air nipple use to be. It will work for now. I friend of mine had this one laying around. I was going to just trial fit it, but I actually was able to make it work.
