Octopus skimmer problem

[Anonymous]

After about 6 months of flawless operation, today I noticed the skimmer wasn't injecting air, but rather water, causing a backwash that contaminated the tank with skimate (or whatever the word is for the spew in the collection vessel).

Naturally, this occurred just as I needed to leave.

I just unplugged the skimmer, but I have to fix it soon.

Is this a known issue? Where do I start? Is it likely just dirt clogging an air intake?

The instructions that came with the thing were extremely minimal.

 

[jmeader]

It is likely salt clogging the air intake because of salt creep.

 

[Len]

When this happens, it's usually because the air intake is clogged. You need to clean out the air line (and make sure to check the pump's air intake area for blockage).

Some people use air filters for their intake to stave off clogging, and some people periodically submerge the air intake in freshwater to draw water through the air line to clean it out.

 

[Anonymous]

And just to finish with a hat trick... yeah sounds like an air injector is clogged, you can soak it if you want.. however typically it gets pretty caked in and wont' come out for a good long while, I have a particular drill bit that's exactly the size of the intake hold and I simply poke it through.

Basically think of as salt creep as it's happening at an air/water interface.

 

[Anonymous]

Mine was getting coated with Ca precipitate. Since the windows have been closed, I am sure the CO2 built up in the basement causing the Ca to build up in the venturi air intake. I used hot water and sucked it through the intake. It doesn't last long though. I then cleaned it in vinegar and lightly coated the venturi air intake with a thin layer of vaseline. The vaseline has prevented the build up of Ca so far.

 

[Sea Turtle]

I have an ASM that does this from time to time. The hose stick about 4 inches out of the water. i just hold it under the surface for a minute or two and it cleans it all out.

 

[Anonymous]

OK, thanks everyone. I haven't had a chance to deal with it yet but will tomorrow morning. (I cleaned one obvious salt creep clog, but there is more).

 

[Anonymous]

I just pulled it out of the sump and put it in the kitchen sink with hot (fresh) water, and whatever clogged it is now gone. I noticed that if the air intake is clogged, and the water level is low enough, it will suck in air directly through the pump, so it could have been clogged for awhile and I didn't notice until I increased the water level in the sump.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I appreciate it, even though the problem turned out to be very minor.

 

[Len]

Do the maintenance steps I suggested (every other month is fine) and you shouldn't experience clogging problems too often.

 

[jmeader]

LOL If your going to have problems, then minor ones are the best to have.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah the thing with clogs is that you could change your riser height to compensate not realizing the reason you're not good skimming is because the air is getting slowly clogged... but then when you unclog it... WAMMO.

 

[Len]

LOL If your going to have problems, then minor ones are the best to have.

Hehe. As opposed to doing something like boiling my tank? I think I might be the only person stupid/careless/unlucky enough to have both boiled and froze my tank on separate occasions. I can laugh about it now (sorta )

 

[Sea Turtle]

lightly coated the venturi air intake with a thin layer of vaseline.

Is petrolium jelly ok to add to your wate column?

 

[Anonymous]

lightly coated the venturi air intake with a thin layer of vaseline.

Is petrolium jelly ok to add to your wate column?

It won't mix with the water.

 

[Anonymous]

lightly coated the venturi air intake with a thin layer of vaseline.

Is petrolium jelly ok to add to your wate column?

Minimal amounts will enter the water over time. I only use enough to thin coat the inside of the venturi's air intake(about 1/4").

 

[Sea Turtle]

lightly coated the venturi air intake with a thin layer of vaseline.

Is petrolium jelly ok to add to your wate column?

It won't mix with the water.

 

[Sea Turtle]

lightly coated the venturi air intake with a thin layer of vaseline.

Is petrolium jelly ok to add to your wate column?

It won't mix with the water.

I understand

 

[Anonymous]

lightly coated the venturi air intake with a thin layer of vaseline.

Is petrolium jelly ok to add to your wate column?

Minimal amounts will enter the water over time. I only use enough to thin coat the inside of the venturi's air intake(about 1/4").

It is a surfactant, so the skimmer will take it right out.

 

[gskidmor]

I have this same problem quite often, especially if the power goes out for a few seconds or longer and comes back on - it doesn't start back up nicely. I have to tip it out of the water so that it starts sucking air properly. I don't ever remember having this problem with my euroreef, which I only did maintenance on once a year at best. I've been seriously thinking about swapping out my octo-150 - I would really love to try a new cone skimmer, budget permitting