Can't get bubbles from my powerhead/skimmer

[ptomoson]

Hello,

How do I get the powerhead to make bubbles for my used HOB skimmer?

[ser_renely]

gonna need a lot more info....

[ptomoson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13358321#post13358321 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ser_renely
gonna need a lot more info....

Ok, no problem. What would that info be so I can give it to you?

I'll try this...bought a used 125g reef setup. In a box were two HOB skimmers. I hung one on the tank, connected a powerhead to the water intake of the skimmer then connected the rubber tube to the powerhead outlet. When I plug in the powerhead it fills the skimmer with water and water discharges but there are no bubbles. I blow into the rubber tube and the bubbles appear but they quit when I quit blowing. It seems like the powerhead is not sucking air from the tube thus my original question.

thanks!

[klaytos]

Try opening up your pump and check your impeller. Mine wasn't making bubbles and when I took it apart my impeller shaft was snapped in half. It was pulling some water but I guess not enough to pull down air.

[Bonneville08]

Please disassemble and inspect the pump. Sometimes the air fittings can get clogged up with carbonate. You can soak them in white vinegar to dissolve the deposits if this is the case.
Hope this helps

[ptomoson]

OK, I've gotten a little further. When the pump is running with nothing attached it will create bubbles but as soon as I connect the tubing it's like the back pressure is too much and it forces water out of the air hole instead of drawing air. How do I fix this?

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq9/ptomoson/0915082042.jpg

[Bonneville08]

Is everything clean?
If so, try closing the pump outlet valve a little bit. That should decrease the pressure at the point the air line is connected. This is just a guess based on the venturi principle. The air line is attached after a flow restriction. The resriction causes a drop in pressure downstream. Closing the valve some will increase the pressure differential and cause more suction at the air line.
How deep is the pump normally? The longer the air line, the less air the venturi will draw.

[ptomoson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13361126#post13361126 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bonneville08
Is everything clean?
If so, try closing the pump outlet valve a little bit. That should decrease the pressure at the point the air line is connected. This is just a guess based on the venturi principle. The air line is attached after a flow restriction. The resriction causes a drop in pressure downstream. Closing the valve some will increase the pressure differential and cause more suction at the air line.
How deep is the pump normally? The longer the air line, the less air the venturi will draw.

I tried adjusting the outlet valve before posting. All I get is less flow, still no bubbles. The pump is only a few inches in the water because I am testing it and the air line is the standard air line that came with the pump. It's something simple...I just can't figure it out. I cleaned out the intake of the skimmer as well.

Basically, without the skimmer intake tube attached the pump creates bubbles as it should...as soon as I attached the skimmer intake tube the skimmer fills with water and creates some sort of back pressure that causes water to come out of the air tube. - insert banging head graemlin here -

[Bonneville08]

One last suggestion, its a little bit of a long shot though. Check manufacturers web site to see which pump they recommend. The pump you are using may be too big for the skimmer. That MIGHT explain the back pressure. I'm guessing I haven't been too helpful, but I'm tapped out of ideas.

[Freed]

I'm gonna bet the output tube you have on the PH is backwards. Did it come like that or did you install the output tube. Next, try cleaning the air line port on the output tube. Might have calcium build up in it.