Deltec Skimmer not working as it should do

Question:

Hi Stuart-I have a TS1250 that's between 2 and 3 years old. I've been having some issues with it and I hope you can help.

1. One problem is that the pump does not restart after a power outage unless I blow down the suction pipe. I've read that I need to get the red bearings for my aquabee pump. I've also read that I have to do something to the stators (whatever they are). What do I need to do to get these parts and are there detailed instructions anywhere on how to replace them?2. I can't get the skimmer to adjust properly anymore. I have the water lever in the skimmer at the collar, and when I open the air valve to 2 o'clock.....the bubbles just stay where they are. Could this be related to the above problems or is this something else?

Answer:

Steve couple of questions

1 - did it do this from the start?
2 - when was the last time you stripped and cleaned the pump?

I am going to forward this to Marvin who will help you out with your problem as you as a USA customer but my suggestions to the problem are as follows.

On the assumption that the skimmer has not had this issue of non starting from new, then I suspect that either the bushes at either end of the shaft are worn and not holding the impellor in the centre of the electric field' or that the impellor is glued to the ceramic shaft with calcium and is not free running as it should be.

The bushes are a simple strip and fit job and can be obtained from Marvin and the sticky impellor is a matter of stripping the pump and cleaning the shaft and impellor in acid or ezeclean available from many dealers or Marine Depot online in the States.

I also suspect as your bubble level seems to have decreased that you need to clean the little flap in the outlet of the pump as if this is not moving from side to side depending on which way the pump starts that the output could be reduced by 50%

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/mce600-loss-performance

The final place to clean would be the venturi pipe at the pump end of the black silicone hose - this collects a salt and calcium build up and can be scraped clean or immersed in the same acid to clean it These options should work for you.

Stuart