[Herefishy2]

I think I am close to my wits end with this protein skimmer at least I have run out of ideas on how to get it to function properly. I might have to declare it dead. I bought a used AqauC Remora Pro w/ a mag drive 3 and skimmer box about 4 months ago. I have never used the skimmer box. The skimmer worked OK for about 2 months (never really pulled a thick skim mate and just a moderate amount) on my 90 g FOWLR and a couple of coral (xenia, colts coral and a Ricordia) I have what I think is a light to moderate bioload of 1 yellow tang, one 3-4" maroon clown, 2 small chromis and a LM Blenny. Also an assortment of cu crew and a brittle star. The tank is 6 months old. Never any problems. Except a protein skimmer that does not work. It stopped pulling anything, just a lot of foam but no skim. I changed the impeller on the MD 3, no luck. Gave the entire unit a good long soak in a vinegar bath and cleaned the inlet with pipecleaners. No luck. Changed the pump out entirely to a brand new mag drive 5 I had lying around. No luck. I get 1/2" of skim mate every week, if I am lucky. And it is watery. I have tried to change the position level of the collection cup to encourage a thicker skim, then I get absolutely nothing. And so I adjusted the level so I at least get a bit of something. I thought the Remora pro was a good skimmer...probably is. Except I fear I got a lemon Is it time to accept defeat and move on to an in sump? Any ideas or similar experiences with this particular PS? Thank you.

[pogodzib]

Most of the AquaC Remora Pro skimmers work good. Even if you have very little fish or feed lightly, you should get more skimmate than that though. Where is your Mag pump located within your tank? The closer it is to the water surface the better it will skim. Do you feed or add any oilly substances to your tank that may cause your skimmer to not function properly?

[wesley6610]

That was going to be my question as well, if you put your hands in the tank, the oils from your skin reduce the skimming for some time. So you may be adding some things that are inhibiting your skimmer potential without even being aware of the fact. I would say do a water change and try to wash your hands and arms before sticking them in the tank as a common practice.

[Herefishy2]

Yes, thank you for the responses. I do feed Prime Reef 1 and 2. But only a couple of times each week. I also feed flakes, pellets and algea sheets. I always try to wash my hands and arms up to my elbows and beyond before going into the tank. I do not put in any additives at all and I just did a water change 1 week ago, no difference. The pump is sitting as close to the surface as it can as per the design of the skimmer. I am quite baffled...

[pogodzib]

Some frozen foods have excess oils that can stop the skimmate for a little while, but since you only feed frozen foods twice a week, that shouldn't be the cause of the skimmer not working and since you've tried a new Mag 5 on it, having too small of a pump shouldn't be the issue either. About the only thing that usually stops any of the AquaC skimmers from skimming is oils in the water, a plugged injector, too little or too much air getting injected (more so with the EV line of skimmers) or too small of a pump. Have you taken the collection cup off of the skimmer when it is operating and looked to make sure that the water exiting the injector is above the water line inside the injection port area and that fresh air can get into that area. If the injector is not above the water level or if fresh air is being restricted then the skimmer body won't have the necessary air inside of it to create enough foam to push it up and into the cup.