My skimmer finally had an issue after 3 yrs or so. I’ve fully cleaned it and the Simplicity pump about every 6 months. Never an issue until it stopped making bubbles or running at the right internal water level last week. I thought the pump burned out so I installed the backup and had the same issue.
Figured out with Jeff from Lifereef that it might be the Venturi valve. I’ve not opened the trap to clean it out before. Viola! A snail inside. Cleaned the Venturi body and slapped it back together. Dark skimmate is flowing again.
Love these Lifereef Venturi skimmers. Sooo little maintenance needed. 90% of maintenance is cleaning the skimmer cup and the rest is cleaning the body and pump twice a year. Much nicer than the needle wheel skimmers I’ve had.