ETSS 900 single/ no bubbles

fish.freak · 05-25-2007, 06:28 PM

Still having issues with this 'advanced downdraft' skimmer on a 400 gal system. The pump is rated 2300GPH and with 6' lift aprox 1800 gph. Yesterday I had it making tons of fine bubbles but as of this morning it all stopped. The only thing that was done was feeding and calcium dose, but it has been hours since then. What gives???

New pics will be up tonight of the plumbing.

leveldrummer · 05-25-2007, 06:30 PM

water issues change through out the day, ph swings, temperature swings, and lots of other little things, its possible that these changes are affecting the performance of the skimmer, even putting your hands in the tank for a second has been known to kill the head of a skimmmer, so i would just try to keep dialing it in, i have no idea about that skimmer, but i do know that most becket styles require alot more adjustments to keep them working effectively.

fish.freak · 05-25-2007, 10:02 PM

Here are some pics from today.
The third shot is a of a air intake limmiter i added yesterday that made the bubbles fine and produce skimm, but I even removed it today to see if it was the problem and no change.

Could the routing of the skimmer intake be killing the flow?

fish.freak · 05-25-2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leveldrummer

water issues change through out the day, ph swings, temperature swings, and lots of other little things, its possible that these changes are affecting the performance of the skimmer, even putting your hands in the tank for a second has been known to kill the head of a skimmmer, so i would just try to keep dialing it in, i have no idea about that skimmer, but i do know that most becket styles require alot more adjustments to keep them working effectively.

when you say kill the head would it nearly stop bubble production?

This is my first experience with this type of skimmer usually venturi or needle wheel.

leveldrummer · 05-25-2007, 11:55 PM

im not sure if the route could affect the flow in that situation (paging geoff!! skimmer nerd!!)

killing the head means... as the oils on your hands hit the water, it affects the surface tension in the bubbles (like dipping your finger in an overflowing cola or beer to keep the head from flowing over) your neck slowly builds up a foam head that rises up the tube and over. sometimes you can put your hands or certain chemicals into the tank that will make that head break apart and collapse back into the skimmer chamber, it kills the head.

fish.freak · 05-26-2007, 02:26 PM

well...
came in this mrning and there was a 5 gal bucket full of light colored skimm.
As soon as we fed it killed the head, guess its just touchy thanks Andy.