TurboFlotor 1000 Problem

[TomW]

I'm having trouble with my protein skimmer that I bought a while back &
was wondering if anyone can help me figure out what's wrong with it.

I'm getting columns of bubbles running through the output tubes causing
a massive amount of microbubbles. Also, the skimmer cup is overflowing
with "wet" bubbles, filling the cup in a matter of minutes.

It had been working fine. I turned it off for feeding and tank
maintenance and when I turned it back on, I got the above result. I
have disassembled and cleaned everything, including the pump. I did not
notice anything clogging the pump (inside or out). My only guess is
that the pump has some sort of problem, but I can't figure it out.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in Advance.
-TomW

[Marc Levenson]

Tom, does it use a venturi tube? Is that tube clear of any
saltcreep? Can you blow into it and create the bubbles in
the right area?

Keep in mind that when you feed your tank, the water tension
changes and skimmers react differently for a brief period.

Or is this a bigger problem that has been occuring for a while?

Marc


TomW wrote:

> I'm having trouble with my protein skimmer that I bought a while back &
> was wondering if anyone can help me figure out what's wrong with it.
>
> I'm getting columns of bubbles running through the output tubes causing
> a massive amount of microbubbles. Also, the skimmer cup is overflowing
> with "wet" bubbles, filling the cup in a matter of minutes.
>
> It had been working fine. I turned it off for feeding and tank
> maintenance and when I turned it back on, I got the above result. I
> have disassembled and cleaned everything, including the pump. I did not
> notice anything clogging the pump (inside or out). My only guess is
> that the pump has some sort of problem, but I can't figure it out.
> Any suggestions?
> Thanks in Advance.
> -TomW
>

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[Mislav]

Is anything obstructing the output valve?


"TomW" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> I'm having trouble with my protein skimmer that I bought a while back &
> was wondering if anyone can help me figure out what's wrong with it.
>
> I'm getting columns of bubbles running through the output tubes causing
> a massive amount of microbubbles. Also, the skimmer cup is overflowing
> with "wet" bubbles, filling the cup in a matter of minutes.
>
> It had been working fine. I turned it off for feeding and tank
> maintenance and when I turned it back on, I got the above result. I
> have disassembled and cleaned everything, including the pump. I did not
> notice anything clogging the pump (inside or out). My only guess is
> that the pump has some sort of problem, but I can't figure it out.
> Any suggestions?
> Thanks in Advance.
> -TomW
>

[TomW]

If you mean the adjustable knobs on each output tube, they are both
clear. I've removed and inspected them & they were clean. The
unexplainable "bubble column" is pretty unifom up each of the two
output tubes.

The venturi tube is clean and clear. In fact, it seems to be producing
too many bubbles, which is why I mentioned the pump. I actually put an
airline valve on the input to the venturi to see if I could limit
bubbles, an idea posted somewhere else to someone having a similar
problem, but that really didn't help.

Again, this happened quite suddenly. I'm not feeding anything unusual.
I thought a piece of algae may have become entangled in the needle
wheel, but I've taken the pump apart and cleaned it. I didn't find any
obstructions there either.

[Leftovers]

TF1K's in general have bubbles rising up through the output tubes, that
is their biggest issue, how to remove the micro bubbles from a tf1k.

Most folks remove the adjustment tubes and let the water flow freely out.

If this is a multi unit there is little that can be done other than
having the output be vented as far from your return pump as possible,
ditto that with standard tf1k. The standard model can have the air
limited but thats really not a good idea if anything you want more not
less air going into a turbo floater.

You may want to instead control the amount of water feeding into it as
too much will force water/foam out. You need to find a medium where you
are getting 25-50gph through the unit.

Also the standard does its thing best when its sitting ~6" of water in
the sump.

enjoy



TomW wrote:
> If you mean the adjustable knobs on each output tube, they are both
> clear. I've removed and inspected them & they were clean. The
> unexplainable "bubble column" is pretty unifom up each of the two
> output tubes.
>
> The venturi tube is clean and clear. In fact, it seems to be producing
> too many bubbles, which is why I mentioned the pump. I actually put an
> airline valve on the input to the venturi to see if I could limit
> bubbles, an idea posted somewhere else to someone having a similar
> problem, but that really didn't help.
>
> Again, this happened quite suddenly. I'm not feeding anything unusual.
> I thought a piece of algae may have become entangled in the needle
> wheel, but I've taken the pump apart and cleaned it. I didn't find any
> obstructions there either.
>

[Henry Etteldorf]

> I'm getting columns of bubbles running through the output tubes causing
> a massive amount of microbubbles. Also, the skimmer cup is overflowing
> with "wet" bubbles, filling the cup in a matter of minutes.

I have that skimmer. Been running it for over 5 years.

To suggestions.
1- I had to be able to throttle back the input. Started with a ball valve
but switched to a gate valve for much easier setting.
2- I used vinyl hose on the output tubes to extend the outflow to the back
of the sump where the overflow emptied. This gave the maximum time for the
bubbles to dissipate. If you wanted to go further you could create a
"bubble trap" (see reef central and search the DIY).

Good luck.
Henry

[TomW]

When you say "throttle back the input" which input do you mean? The
input to the pump or the input to the skimmer chamber?

I considered diverting flow to the chamber, but I don't really have
anywhere to divert a micro-bubble-filled stream of water. My skimmer
hangs off the back of my tank. I'll be able to put it in my sump once
its complete (need some warm weather to complete that project).

I'm still completely baffled (no pun) as to why after almost a year of
good operation this has suddenly become a problem.
-TomW <--- still not skimming!

[Henry Etteldorf]

My previous comments were for a sump model of skimmer. You need to control
the amount of water going into the skimmer, not the pump integral to the
skimmer. If too much water goes through then the bubbles don't have time to
float to the top of the skimmer, they get sucked into the output.

If you have the Hang on Back version you can get a bubble trap. I believe
Reef Fanatic sells one. It is essentially two settling chambers that attach
at the output of the skimmer.

A piece of foam on the output would trap most bubbles. But you will need to
clean this daily.

Henry
"TomW" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> When you say "throttle back the input" which input do you mean? The
> input to the pump or the input to the skimmer chamber?
>
> I considered diverting flow to the chamber, but I don't really have
> anywhere to divert a micro-bubble-filled stream of water. My skimmer
> hangs off the back of my tank. I'll be able to put it in my sump once
> its complete (need some warm weather to complete that project).
>
> I'm still completely baffled (no pun) as to why after almost a year of
> good operation this has suddenly become a problem.
> -TomW <--- still not skimming!
>
>

[TomW]

Thanks. I'll check on the bubble trap. I've tried the foam. It helps,
but not enough.

As of now, the unit is "offline," sitting in a bucket on the floor. I
plan to hang it off my sump/refugium (under construction).

I still don't understand why this became a problem after so many months
of great operation.

-TomW

[Henry Etteldorf]

One other thought. Is it possible that there is an air leak. Maybe in the
inlet to the recalculation pump. That would suck in micro bubbles, which
would not rise as fast as normal bubbles and would likely be sucked into the
output with the normal water flow.

You MIGHT be able to check for this by submerging the whole unit. Make
sure you won't damage anything or get a shock. Don't electrocute yourself.
Even easier may be to wrap the joints in plastic warp. That may cause the
plastic wrap to suck tight and plug any air leaks.


"TomW" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Thanks. I'll check on the bubble trap. I've tried the foam. It helps,
> but not enough.
>
> As of now, the unit is "offline," sitting in a bucket on the floor. I
> plan to hang it off my sump/refugium (under construction).
>
> I still don't understand why this became a problem after so many months
> of great operation.
>
> -TomW
>