A wits end with skimmer
 

Hello,

I currently have been "running" a bubble magus curve a5 since Christmas and it is still overflowing. I have the skimmer in 8" of water, I have tried raising the skimmer so that there is more room below skimmer for water outlet. I have run the skimmer in vinegar mixture, I have cleaned thoroughly, I have done everything I can think of. But to no avail I cannot get the skimmer to stop overflowing. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Anyone here currently use the a5 model and have it work?

Thanks

Suggested height for that skimmer is 9.75" to 10.625" Do this first...

You are adjusting the the standpipe start with it at the lowest setting, and let it run for a day. if it overflows then there is an issue with the water itself.

I once made the mistake of buying Natural salt water at Petco and until I did about a 75% water change is overflowed my skimmer no matter where I set it..

If I put it that deep it just overflows even more. Wouldn't less water make it overflow less? (Sorry new to hobby) and I am using instant ocean reef crystals. I have used a few salts before and salt doesn't make a difference. I'm starting to think I will never get this skimmer to work.


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It's a fairly common skimmer and lots of people seem to like it, so its probably you. :)

just kidding around - did you see this thread? tips and tweaks, and whatnot.

HTH

Thanks, yes I have read that thread. Some people are referencing BM5 and some BMa5. Mine is the a5. Perhaps I'm not understanding the idea behind skimmers. If I increase the depth of water wouldn't that make the skimmer overflow more? I do like the idea of reducing air intake. I have thought about that in the past but never knew how.


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The recommended water height for that skimmer is wrong.. (I swear thats based on running it in freshwater or something)
I have the same skimmer...

Put it in about 5" of water and it will do just fine..
8" is still too much..
It took about a week or so for me to break in but once it did its been rock solid and doing a great job..

Okay thanks, I just didn't want to burn the pump out. Do you have any pictures of yours running? Seems so strange that a skimmer would need only 5" of water.


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Don't have a picture now.. Can get one when I get home if needed..
But you won't burn the pump out and its not that strange at all really..
The pump is pretty powerful on this skimmer and combine that with the cone design and voila..

Just raise it up.. Many users have this same thing.. why BM has that recommended height is beyond me.. Its 100% wrong.. I really think they ran it in freshwater and thats the height they found there..

Okay thanks mcgyvr now I just need to find a way to raise it more. Currently it's sitting on a marine pure block


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PVC stand and eggcrate.


Though, I was going to mention one thing. If you have the valve or pipe set to almost closed, the minimal amount of debri or buildup will cause your skimmer to overflow.

So, you may want to give it a try with a higher depth if raising it to 5 inches doesn't work. With a higher depth, you should be able to operate with a more open valve/pipe and less likely to overflow.

Thanks I already have the valve fully open.


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Not sure what the difference is between the 5 and the A5. My 5 works flawlessly unless I put in any un-rinsed filter media or filter sock. That's only temporary though, not for several months like you. You've probably already checked, but is the plate with the holes in it right above the pump rotated so the area with no holes is right above the pump outlet?

What water level is your curve 5 sitting in?
Height from bottom of rubber feet to top of the water surface?

oh wait.. OP has the A5.. I didn't catch that.. I have the Curve 5 also.. not the A5..
The A5 has a different pump (DC vs AC).. but still... they just need to raise it up so its sitting in less water..

Yup the bubble plate is situated correctly. I think I'm going to try restricting air intake. This pump is too powerful for the skimmer


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Is there a reason you won't just raise the skimmer?
Thats the proper solution..

Because I'm terrified to burn out the pump by having it in only 4" of water. In order for the skimmer to not overflow it would require me to run it at such a level that the water is only 0.5" above the height of the pump.


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That will NOT happen I guarantee it.. You will not burn out a pump like that..
There is plenty of water flow to keep heat from being an issue..

Even if you ran that pump external you will not overheat it..

FYI.. Went home and measured..
I'm running mine (Curve 5) in exactly 6" of water measured from bottom of rubber feet..

Okay thanks, once I find a way that doesn't involve eggcrate I will raise it a bit.


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Nothing wrong with eggcrate either...
Easy to fabricate something with just it and some zip ties..

You can also just cut some PVC tube.. 4 pieces stand it on end and place the skimmer on that..

I make an acrylic stand for mine with adjustable legs via thumb screws

Name checks out

So it's been a few weeks - how's it going?

I raised it and it worked for 5 days but then started overflowing again :/


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Are you using any additives? Some are surfactants and cause skimmers to overflow. How about filter media? Lots of media, floss in particular, contain phenols which make skimmers act up. Polyfilter is another one that makes my skimmer go bonkers.

Only thing I’m using is my filter sock. I think in my case the pump is merely too powerful for the skimmer body.


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