Need help with skimmer pump

[nuch]

So in the 4 short yrs I've been into saltwater I've never had this problem. And never had problem in freshwater. Anyway my skimmer is sucking up water but not producing bubbles. Is the pump shot or just need an impeller? I have a reef octopus Diablo xs200. If it is impeller where can I get one asap?

 

[edd]

make sure your air intake is clear. take the pump apart check impeller and see if theirs anything stuck inside.

 

[nuch]

Will do a good cleaning when I get home. But I think its more then that. Because when I feed my coral I shut the skimmer off for a couple hrs then when I go to turn I back on it takes like 45 secs to a minute before it stars to make bubbles again. Thanx

 

[mbg75]

Sounds like a clogged airline like edd said.
Btw, is it a mesh wheel impeller?

 

[nuch]

No star wheel

 

[Nottick]

My swc 160 was doing the same thing. Wound up needing a good cleaning. The air silencer was clogged

 

[bertyboy69]

Check to see if the air lines clogged i know many bave saif this but check nearest to the impeller my old skimmer used to get calcium deposits right where the air line met the impeller

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Reefs

 

[nuch]

Thanx guys cleaned it up nice and there was alot of crap in the air ways. It turned back on, so we'll see if next time I feed corals it starts right back up.

 

[duke62]

Dont let it stall start like that. If it dont start up right away blow into the air line. Why do you shut off your skimmer when you feed?

 

[nuch]

Don't know, that's what I've heard. The skimmer sucks up a lot of the phytoplankton and marine snow. Actually the bottle says to turn off skimmer. Should I not turn it off?

 

[duke62]

Oh I thought is was when you feed your fish everyday. When it stalls like that it could damage the pump. Blow in the airline to get it started quicker.

 

[Gwiz3005]

I had a similar issue with my Reef Octopus today. I took the pump out and gave it a vinegar and hot water bath for any hour or so. Took it apart and rinsed out the intake/output area. It is working like its brand new now. I was long overdue on that.