Coralife HOB Super Skimmer 65G

[Dekz]

So I just set this thing up and I'm having some pretty serious issues. Even with the valve closed all the way, it is putting out an insane amount of foam/water. I set up a tube to just drain it back into the tank for now because otherwise I have to unplug it and drain the cup literally every 30 seconds.

The "bubble diffuser" is doing absolutely nothing. My tank looks like champagne.

 

[Dekz]

Videos of what I'm talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzrlPLZLGVI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngEgB6GGrPY

 

[leocom2000]

yep, it will take a day or two to brake in. these are total crap as HOB.I know, I have one. there will be a lot less bubbles as well when it brakes in, but there will be some.

there is a hole after the valve for air, try closing it with your finger. Also, try sliding the skimmer body on the mounting ring up or down and slide the basket up or down. Did you cut that flex hose on the output per instructions? It should be just under water or so. If it is too long, there will be too much back pressure.

 

[Narwhal72]

1. Make sure the outlet valve is completely open (the red knob on the outlet).
2. Make sure the outlet pipe is not stuck down at the bottom at the bubble trap restricting water from exiting the skimmer. You may have to trim it a little bit.
3. Close the valve on the water inlet (between the pump and the skimmer) to reduce the water flow.

Once the skimmer breaks in you will probably have to open this valve. Then use the valve on the outlet for fine tuning adjustment. New Superskimmers have some dramatic improvements from the original versions including a new more reliable pump and a larger diameter collection cup neck which improves the number of bubbles and reduces the overfoaming issues.
Andy

 

[Sploke]

This is why there's a little ball valve on the output of the pump. If you adjust that, you should be able to control the influx of water to the skimmer body, and as long as the outlet is not blocked and flowing freely, you should be able to maintain an appropriate water level in the skimmer. You should be able to close that valve all the way an completely stop water from entering the skimmer altogether.

 

[Dekz]

2. Make sure the outlet pipe is not stuck down at the bottom at the bubble trap restricting water from exiting the skimmer. You may have to trim it a little bit.

I trimmed it quite a bit, there is at least 1 inch of clearance (per the instructions) and tried moving the silencer down, no improvement.

3. Close the valve on the water inlet (between the pump and the skimmer) to reduce the water flow.

Once the skimmer breaks in you will probably have to open this valve. Then use the valve on the outlet for fine tuning adjustment. New Superskimmers have some dramatic improvements from the original versions including a new more reliable pump and a larger diameter collection cup neck which improves the number of bubbles and reduces the overfoaming issues.
Andy

This is why there's a little ball valve on the output of the pump. If you adjust that, you should be able to control the influx of water to the skimmer body, and as long as the outlet is not blocked and flowing freely, you should be able to maintain an appropriate water level in the skimmer. You should be able to close that valve all the way an completely stop water from entering the skimmer altogether.

Apparently Coralife skimmers have not come with this valve for some time. Mine doesn't, and my friend bought a used one a few weeks ago and it didn't have one either. There is no mention of it in the instructions.

 

[leocom2000]

I don't have the valve either. It takes a couple of days to brake in, that is how long it took for mine. I thought of returning it, but it started working. Is there an improvement with yours?

 

[Dekz]

I don't have the valve either. It takes a couple of days to brake in, that is how long it took for mine. I thought of returning it when it started working. Is there an improvement with yours?

I assume you mean that you were thinking about returning it, but then it started working? Not that once it started working, you thought about returning it?

No improvement yet, but it's only been 24 hours.

 

[leocom2000]

You assume right, thanks for clarifying it. i don't know if it is of any help, but would a picture of my skimmer help?

 

[leocom2000]

I hope it is useful