Cali Kid Corals

Protein Skimmer DOA?

sfboarders

sfboarders

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I have an old euro-reef es5-2 protein skimmer that is BNIB. My wife bought it for me 4-5 years ago and it's been sitting in storage since the past couple of weeks. I set my tank up yesterday and fired the protein skimmer up and the pump has a good amount of humming to it. Also I barely see any bubbles and I don't hear any air sound. The manual says the water level should be 6-8" and I have it at 8". Raising the riser tube basically raises the water level in the skimmer and adjusts how much comes out of the tube. I don't want to have to get a new protein skimmer because to me this thing might be an old model but it's brand spanking new.

Am I suppose to see bubbles right away for a newly cycled tank and new skimmer? Am I just tripping? User error? Heh! :)
 
I don't think that's enough bubbles. Have you take the pump apart and check out the air intake section? check the impeller like Mario said.

What is the salinity?
 
You should be able to take it apart without any tool..
The impeller looks like the one below. There shouldn't be any broken pin since this is brand new.
AG1651_1.jpg
 
Also the impeller magnets tend to swell up over the course of time and need replacement every few years, see if you can borrow one to check if that is the problem.
 
Check the part on the pump that connects to the air hose and make sure it is clear for air to get through to the impeller. Mine had some excess glue or something and I actually had to drill it out. The air hose needs to be nice and round with no kinks.
 
can you post a picture of where you have the airline attached?
I have one model like that and when the pump gave me issues re-starting I just blew into the hose and is started the way it was supposed to, then again, the issue was due to the impeller being old. One more thing, the magnet if you take it out, should freely spin over the ceramic shaft.
 
May seem like a lame answer, but you are testing this on a tank that is filled with salt water? If you put the skimmer in fresh water it won't do much.
 
xcaret said:
can you post a picture of where you have the airline attached?
I have one model like that and when the pump gave me issues re-starting I just blew into the hose and is started the way it was supposed to, then again, the issue was due to the impeller being old. One more thing, the magnet if you take it out, should freely spin over the ceramic shaft.
Click to expand...

Mario, here's a pic. I blew into the hose and air is coming out. The airline is attached to the nipple on the pump to the protein skimmer. I also took the magnet out and it spins freely over the shaft.

@Raddogz, yes saltwater tank that I just started yesterday. Still in the cycling stage.

http://www.bareefers.org/home/sites/default/files/IMG_2737.JPG
 
I think you need to do the following...


Give it a Vinegar bath... 1 part vinegar 2 parts water in a bucket... Wash the Impeller and Turn the Pump on.

I think since it's 4-5 years old. The Pump may have lost it's kick... So it's possible you can either change he pump if the bath does not work or the cleaning could do the trick.

Now the issue is make sure you run it in hot water (from the hot water tap) after the vinegar bath.
 
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