For the last 6 months or so I have not been crazy about the production of my skimmer. It just was not hardly putting out enough skimate. The problem was that it was just not producing enough bubbles.
The skimmer is a 5' venturi model built by "Urchin Searchin Ent."
I can't complain to the manufacturer because I own the company.
(No I don't sell skimmers anymore)
The skimmer uses two water pumps and two air pumps. It uses air pumps because of the five foot height it can't pull in air with just the venturi valve.
I am kind of busy so every once in a while I would tinker with a different part to try to fix it. I removed the home made venturi valve and found a large amphipod stuck in it. Removing that helped, but the thing still had very poor action. A few weeks later I opened the venturi again to find another large amphipod. Again I thought I found the problem, but not really.
Some time went by and I re built the both air pumps. They put out what seemed like a lot of air but I could not tell if it was really enough, I tested the preasure which was fine.
That helped very slightly. The thing was really working like a wimp. This skimmer is old, how old? I don't remember, thats how old.
But it is probably older than many members here.
A few days ago I removed the venturi valve and tweeked the design. That actually made it worse.
I had some time today and was looking closely at the collection cup and heard a slight HHHHHHHHIIIIIIISSSSSSS.
Aha. Of course a ten cent tubing coupling had a hair line crack in it.
Stupid, stupid, stupid. I am very mad at myself and should have checked that thing first. Now I am sure I am getting senile. And I would be the first to tell someone, check the easy things first.
The thing is working so well now that the hermit crabs are dancing.
I think they will be on "Dancing with the Starfish" next season

So your old skimmer was all it was cracked up to b?

Glad you found the problem.

__________________
fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden