MSX200 not making foam

[Jessica]

I just noticed that my protein skimmer stopped making foam for the past few days. The pump is making bubbles in the skimmer but the bubbles are not producing any foam. It's been working great until now.

 

I've taken out the pump and cleaned it and make sure the impeller was intact. The red nipple gets stuck in the pump and doesn't remain on the shaft. I've tried adjusting the open/close valve and that just decreased the water level but no foaming action.

 

My skimmer sits on 8-9" water. I've tried it in 10" of water for a day and that didn't work. I tried repositioning the pump so the water intake is from the bottom, then tried the top without success.

 

Any suggestions?

[jason the filter freak]

clean out the pump? check to see if the impeller shaft, impeller, or magnet is still intact? is your venturi clogged?

[Origami]

Yes, check the venturi first to see if it's plugged with calcium deposits. Check the air-line going into the venturi also for an obstruction. And, check the intake side of the pump for an obstruction while you're at it. Check the impeller to see if it turns freely on the shaft. Finally, does the shaft fit firmly into the red seat or is it rather loose? I've found that the red rubber boot on the Sicce PSK-2500 pumps tend to wear out quickly sometimes reducing the pump's effectiveness. You can get a new boot or try fitting a small bit of air-line tubing between the shaft and the red rubber boot (kind of like a bushing) to firm-up the fit.

[gwweber]

sometimes the skimmers do not work at all after ou clean them and you have to break them in again. Also after you feed, stick your hand in the tank or medicate the tank the skimmers often quit working for a few hours. Perhaps you can get a small amount of skim from another skimmer and pour that near the intake of your skimmer and see if it helps. If you are really stuck i have a skimmer you can borrow till you get yours fixed. Also if you but a bunch of new carbon or a poly pad in the tank it may affect the output also.

[F&Fmgr]

PE mysis?