skimmer ?

DRC Archive General Saltwater Discussion
1

I have the g2 skimmer and my pump won’t come on. Not sure if its the plug or the pump itself. Does premium aquatics sell pumps of that sort? I was gonna go thru champion lighting as I purchased it thru them.

Since I will be replacing the pump I was gonna put a larger pump on the g2. My 2nd ? Is will it produce more skimate than before or the same amount just faster.

Also does anyone have a favorite pump they prefer for a return? They sell so many I was wanting to hear some opinions on the pro’s & con’s of different pumps.( Example) internal or external. Head amount on plumbing. Any other points that I need to take into consideration when purchasing a new pump.

Thanks to all in advance!

2

I think either way you’re producing the same amount of skimmate - a larger pump will probably mean your going to produce it faster - meaning more frequent emptying of the cup. You may also have more difficulty trying to skim dryer with a larger pump.

As far as return pumps go I just switched to a mag 9.5 for my return and love it. I think it’s quiet, produced a good amount of flow when it was in the 92 and pumped directly back in to the tank, now with the 75 it pumps about 5 feet straight up to the fuge and I had to dial it back with a ball valve and a T to allow the 1.5" return to keep up.

3

[quote=“Cdangel0, post:2, topic:715”]
I think either way you’re producing the same amount of skimmate - a larger pump will probably mean your going to produce it faster - meaning more frequent emptying of the cup. You may also have more difficulty trying to skim dryer with a larger pump.[/quote]
not always. Skimmer pumps are a little different then a return pump.The pumps used on ASM skimmers are matched for the proper flow and amount of air flow drawn into the skimmer. Not that you can’t switch it out but your goal is too keep the water in contact with the bubbles to allow the exchange of waste. Too fast and the water leaves without being skimmed. Also the Sedra 3500 pump had the venturi built into the output of the pump. If you change the pump you will need to replace the venturi

4

Al do you think I should get the same pump it came with or the next size up? I believ the only difference fron the g2 to the g3 or whatever is the next size is the pump size that is different

5

The skimmer is also taller which means you will be waisting some power as you wil run the gate valve more open

6

You say the pump wont come on? did you take out the impeller and clean it? they plug up with carbonate deposits all the time and freeze.

7

What cause a mass amount of micro bubbles to come out of the exhaust flow out of the skimmer. Its doing it so bad it clouds up my dt

8

too much air??

9

I put that gate valve mod kit on there and the pipe where the water coming out of the skimmer is throwing out a mass amount of micro bubbles. I tried to cover the tube that air gets sucked through and no difference

10

[quote=“tat2tillidie, post:9, topic:715”]
I put that gate valve mod kit on there and the pipe where the water coming out of the skimmer is throwing out a mass amount of micro bubbles. I tried to cover the tube that air gets sucked through and no difference[/quote]

Ok That’s really weird. Clean the pump there may be a sea grass in there thrashing the water and causing the bubbles.

11

What’s the water level like in the sump when it does this? If you’re covering the air tube, that should eliminate the venturi, and thus eliminate any bubbles at all. It’s got to be sucking air in from somewhere. Is there airline cracked, the bbody of the skimmer?

Have you tried letting it run for a few minutes? When I first plugged my G3 in I got the same problem as there was an air-pocket trapped somehwere, after a few minutes it cleared right up, now I have no microbubbles at all.