Microbubbles From Skimmer

[Aquadan88]

I've been playing with this Coralife Super Skimmer 65 for days now, trying to get it to not dump loads of micro bubbles into my tank. It's a hang on back/in sump/hang on sump design. It comes with this box that the return dumps into. Says in the instructions that its designed to prevent micro bubbles from going back into the sump. (instruction manual can be found here.)

I've tried using the stuff they've provided in the return box, I've tried different combinations of filter floss, the stuff that it came with, and Poly-pads. I'm really getting aggravated at the darn thing.

Anyone wanna give me a hand?

 

[biggyclops]

Is it your sump right now?

 

[Aquadan88]

It's hanging on the back of my sump right now. I'll take a picture and post it.

 

[RiverReefer]

i really never had any issue w/ the micro bubbles, is it skimmer properly?

 

[Aquadan88]

Sorry for the crappy angle/picture, my camera is crap and its very cramped back there. Right now the skimmer is off.


Not sure what you're askin River, it skims just fine, its just sending a crap load of micro bubbles back into my sump, which is getting sucked into my pump and circulating round my display.

 

[biggyclops]

anyway you can mod a sock to go over the outlet? do you have a sump? it will be easier to use a sock in the sump... i run my return from my skimmer into a sock that holds an airstone to help with my ph and i have no micro bubbles in my display...

 

[Aquadan88]

lol That is the sump. It's hanging on the back of it.

Why the airstone?

Also, just a regular sock? Like, for my feeties? lol Or a filter media bag type sock. Do you mind taking a picture so I can see how you have it rigged up in there?

 

[bill120mph]

I have had bubble problems myself and found that after they break in it gets better... leave it running for a day or 2 at the setting that provides the least bubbles than start minor adjustments until you "dial it in"

 

[Aquadan88]

I've had it running since Tuesday night, and I clean out the collection cup every night. Even at the most minimal setting, I'm still getting a crap load.

 

[biggyclops]

lol That is the sump. It's hanging on the back of it.

Why the airstone?

Also, just a regular sock? Like, for my feeties? lol Or a filter media bag type sock. Do you mind taking a picture so I can see how you have it rigged up in there?

pics coming right up... its a filter media bag.. i use an airstone to help drive up the ph from my calcium reactor drip.. that goes into the sock..

 

[biggyclops]

on the bottom right of the pic is the sock ... that the etss skimmer dumps into the clear hose going into the sock is from my reactor

 

[Aquadan88]

Lol, Dude, it's like playing Where's Waldo in that picture. I don't see it, but I do understand the concept. What kind of filter bag do you use? Do you think that it would be more effective if the bag were made out of a finer mesh?

Also, tell me, how the ##$@ do you get around that jumble of hoses and wires? lol That would drive me INSANE!

 

[biggyclops]

i meant to say that the etss skimmer dumps into the sock.. the clear hose going into the sock is from my reactor

i had it all nice till i started messing with it it was A LOT WORSE when i had all this stuff under the tank!!!

the bottom right of the rubbermaid is the top of the sock ring... to the left of it is a pvc elbow

 

[Aquadan88]

Yea, I see the elbow, I'm assuming the sock is submerged in the tank.

 

[biggyclops]

yes... every week i will change it for a clean one.. then after a while i will wash them all and start over

 

[JayM]

as an FYI, I had the same issue with my coraldeath stupidskimmer....so I dumped it.

the thing that worked best for me before I dumped it was a piece of a pair of nylons to break up the microbubbles, but I think the filter bag idea would do the same thing.

IMO, it is a crappy skimmer on it's BEST day, esp with the RIO pump. I'm still particularly cranky about that purchase, because I overpaid for it at an LFS in metrowest who shall remain nameless after it was recommended. (pre my discovery of the BRS )

In comparison, other skimmers I've owned:

euro-reef clone I bought from CRA....easy to dial in, no microbubbles, good skimming
an actual euro-reef, same thing
octopus NW-200 skimmer...also easy, meshed and gated
MSX cone skimmer I bought last month....set and forget

I would poke around on the FS forum and plan on a replacement, IMO you'll be happier in the long run

 

[RiverReefer]

yah i was asking if it was skimming properly....put a nylon sock held in place w/ a rubber band over the end of it in the return and that should get rid of it...

 

[Aquadan88]

The problem with skimmers for my setup is I need something that will run as a hang on unit on my sump. I don't want it hanging on my display, and I don't have space in the sump for it.

Lol, Does that LFS happen to be out of business now?

 

[JayM]

yah i was asking if it was skimming properly....put a nylon sock held in place w/ a rubber band over the end of it in the return and that should get rid of it...

you want to be careful with that, because when the nylon gets clogged up with particulate matter, it will block the skimmer output, and it will flood your skimmer, then your stand, then your house. put the nylon on the (totally ineffective) 'anti-bubble' box the skimmer outputs to. That way if it backs up, it just overflows the box, and the worst thing that happens is you get microbubbles back in your display

 

[Brad S]

I set super skimmers up on a daily basis... If it's your sump, get a large filter sock, and push the stock bubble diffuser into it, make sure it's not too tight a fit, as when the sock gets gummed up water will shoot out from the gaps and possibly make a mess.