Microbubbles From Skimmer

juan jose · #1 10/23/2007, 12:04 PM

I finally bought my long awaited g3 skimmer and installed it yesterday. I don´t have a large sump (23 gallons) for my 95 gallon tank. I place the adjustable cylinder on the highest position like stated on the manual and the cup fills with water (I don´t know why this happens and I had to adjust). I had to really lower it to almost it´s lowest position and had to raise the skimmer 6 inches from the sump´s bottom. A lot of bubbles are coming from the skimmer to almost the top of the cup. Millions of microbubbles are coming from the skimmer and filling my display. All of my corals and fish are stressed out. I had to put the sponge that comes with the skimmer and another sponge in the middle on one of the divisions of the sump. They were reduced but I still have a lot of microbubbles. I don´t know what to do about it. Any suggestions do I have to make special adjustments to my sump. The skimmer appears to be working great the only hazzle are the microbubbles. Help!!!

zotzer · #2 10/23/2007, 12:06 PM

A member of our club had the same problem with that exact skimmer. Turned out he was using something to treat the tapwater he was using in his tank. When he switched to RO, the skimmer performed as it was supposed to.

Are you using any slimecoat or additive in your water?

Tracy

adnup · #3 10/23/2007, 12:19 PM

Skimmers sometimes need a couple of days to "slime up" and should settle down.

Whats the water level the skimmer is in? Mine is in 8" of water. I would also do a GATE VALVE MOD right away. Its a great way to dial in your skimmer. You can use a ball valve instead of the gate valve BUT I would switch to the gate valve asap. You can get one HERE

S_Stoney_S · #4 10/23/2007, 12:26 PM

Gate valve is a must. But you could fit the skimmer outflow tube with a filter sponge in a slotted breeder box. Cut a circle out of the sponge to accomate some of the tube and hang the box from the pipe with cable ties. Should help reduce bubbles getting into your sump then display.

adnup · #5 10/23/2007, 12:30 PM

On your return pump, do you have a downward facing elbow on the inlet? This would help take the water from the lowest point of the sump. Then have the skimmers out put drain on the other side of the sump.

uscharalph · #6 10/23/2007, 01:42 PM

My ASM G1 skimmer had alittle break-in period, but the bubbles weren't as bad as you are describing. The other time I had bubbles like you are talking about was when I used red slime remover and I had to turn off the skimmer for about a week.

jose300z · #7 10/23/2007, 05:05 PM

Also make sure the gasket on the pump inlet is properly seated on the skimmer body. Mine had a small leak and produced a ton of micro bubbles.

juan jose · #8 10/23/2007, 06:05 PM

I will give a check today on everything you guys posted, I think the break in period is important. The gasket you mention is the one that goes on the side of the skimmer and holds the inlet from the sedra?
How deep should I have the skimmer inside the sump.
The only ****ty thing on this skimmer are the instructions they are too vague.

adnup · #9 10/23/2007, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by juan jose
How deep should I have the skimmer inside the sump.

I have mine in 8" of water

juan jose · #10 10/24/2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by adnup
On your return pump, do you have a downward facing elbow on the inlet? This would help take the water from the lowest point of the sump. Then have the skimmers out put drain on the other side of the sump.

ADNUP, I don´t have a downward elbow I think this is a good idea also I will give it a shot. I was yesterday playing around with the skimmer and I think I will have to get more baffles for the sump. There are so many microbubbles being produced that I can only think of this and the gatevalve mod. If it wasn´t for the microbubbles I think everything would be perfect my previous skimmer was not up to the task a 50-250gallon redsea skimmer.