skimmer performance out of whack

[cath]

My Bak Pac 2R is having trouble making bubbles lately. I replaced the Rio 600 power head (yuck) with the MJ1200 more than a year ago. Up until fairly recently, it worked well consistantly, with periodic cleaning of the power head. I cleaned the whole skimmer about a month ago as part of a major mtnce job on my tank. But in the past week, it's been really wimpy (as Doug describes). When it acted like that in the past, I could kick start it by unplugging it for about 10 minutes and then it would be skimming right along, making good bubbles. I've done a subject search here on TRT, but couldn't find an answer. ...sigh..I guess my question is...it shouldn't be so wimpy this quickly after a major cleaning? Is this typical?

BTW...I have very low skimming neads at this point. New DSB in the tank (about a month old or so), 1 wrasse, and a snail. Several nice softies and smaller pieces of LR. The tank is a 29.

TIA

[Geoff]

have you checked the impeller on the pump? it could be dirty. make sure its prefilter is not clogged.

G~

[cath]

Thanks, Geoff!

I'll check the pre-filter this evening. That indeed could be gummed up.

I swear, I'm on my afternoon break

[billc]

try taking the MJ out of the inlet of the backpack and feel if you have good waterflow from the outlet.. If not take the MJ apart and give it a good cleaning with plenty of hot water and a tooth brush.. HTH

[RWD]

I'm not sure exactly how your skimmer works but I'd look for a clogged venturi. It would be a fitting where the air and water mix. Usually an air line is connected to it. IME with other skimmers, the venturi gets clogged with calcium deposits and needs to be cleaned with a nail or piece of wire. HTH, Bob

[cath]

Thanks guys! Those are great suggestions!