Problem with my Deltec Skimmer!

[ReefRockerLive]

When I get a full cup of skimmate I completely close the feed valve and remove the collection cup for cleaning. When I place the cup back into the skimmer and re-open the valve as it originally was (fully open), the skimmer begins to collect water every time and this is starting to be a pain! The air valve is fully open for wet skimming so all air is let into the skimmer. The feed valve is originally fully open.

I am running this skimmer externally with a 3 ft drain. Could this drain be too long for the skimmer to properly start up?

My issue is kind of hard to explain, but hopefuly this isn't too confusing.

What can I do to fix this problem??

Thanks

[moonpod]

open up the feed valve gradually.

[ReefRockerLive]

That's exactly what I am doing at the moment, but the bubbles right now are about 3" from the cover of the collection cup.

Is having such a long drain a part of the problem?

[Heinz]

can you post a picture ?

[Detritivore]

IME, it will act up for a little after you clean the neck

[ReefRockerLive]

Sure, just give me like 3 minutes. BTW, the bubbles in the neck of the collection cup are big!

[Fins Reef]

When you send pictures, make sure you send pictures to how the drain is run.

[ReefRockerLive]

Notice that the large bubbles are in the neck of the collection cup, they should be tiny ones not large one. How do I fix this?

[Fins Reef]

Reef,
Reefcentral will not allow links to pictures on there server, try using photobucket. Or e-mail them to me and I can get them up for you.
[email protected]

[Heinz]

you can't crosslink from RC, you can either attache the picture(go Advanced, click on Attachmend) or upload em in the Z.com gallery and link em to the thread

[ReefRockerLive]

Brian, I just send you the email

[Fins Reef]

Here's the pic's

[Fins Reef]

A couple issue's I see.
1. It's a Deltec (just kidding)

1. It looks like you do not have much downward run on your plumbing from the skimmer into the sump.
2. It appears that you downsized the output of the skimmer.
3. It is a long run form the skimmer to the sump.

These all add to backpressure in the unit. What I think is happening is that when you start up, it is easier for the water to run out into the cup, then out you output.
This can also happen if you let the water exit under the water in your sump. I would try upsize the output from the skimmer ti maybe 1'1/2", and keep that size all the way to the sump. That should help some. You can try to cap the top of the riser tube w/ your hand when first starting up in order to the the water flowing out the output pipe.
It is not a problem with the skimmer, but mainly the way it is plumbed. If you can put the skimmer up on a platform to allow for a greater downflow on the output tube.

A couple more questions, What skimmer is it, and how much flow are you running thru it.
HTH,
Brian

[moonpod]

I think Brian hit it on the head. Never downsize the plumbing, and always put some downhill in the drain line.

Looks like an AP or APF600

[Heinz]

Brain said it all,
when you rise your skimmer you should plum your return like that in the picture, to get a better flow back to your sump