I need some help

mtsuguy

mtsuguy

Member
I just hooked up my skimmer and it seems to be running fine, I have the adjustments set so that the microbubbles are doing their job... however, the filter that the water dumps back into before it goes back into the tank is not stopping the bubbles from getting back into the tank. Is there anyway to fix this? I have the top of the filter set .25" above the water, the rest is in the water. If I unplug the skimmer the filter will drain and be ok for e few minutes but after about 5 minutes the water starts pouring out of the top of the filter. The pipe that empies into the filter is exactly 1" from the bottom filter inside of the return. I have no idea whats going on...
 
mtsuguy

mtsuguy

Member
I just called the LFS and they said it was normal to have the micro bubbles but the water should not be spilling over the filter top. Any ideas on how to fix that problem?
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
It would help if you told us what brand the skimmer was and how big it is so that we can get an idea of what the contraption looks like. Then we can take it from there...
The thing behind the inner workings of the skimmer is that it has to be set above the water level, if not, it will squirt water or start skimming out way too much liquid saltwater.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
o, hah. Your skimmer should come with a bubble trap. It's that little grey box like thing with the sponges in it. The little thing that you attach to it and then the aquarium rim may not be enough to hold it on, use some zip ties and tie it in place. You can not put the box too far snug to the outlet pipe or else it will squirt water.
Also, another reason why when you turn it off it starts siphoning water out of the tank is because you are letting your air tube hang over the side of the tank. You need to elevate it and zip tie it in place ABOVE THE WATER LEVEL!
 
mtsuguy

mtsuguy

Member
I have the bubble trap attached to the the side of the aquarium with the attachment it came with. The water isnt overfilling in the skimmer its pouring over the bubble trap. The trap fills with water and then begins dumping into the aquarium.
 
mtsuguy

mtsuguy

Member
this is where most of the bubbles microbubbles are getting into my DT. Is it bad for the fish in the tank?
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
microbubbles aren't really bad for fish, consider it just airation. It is however bad for clams and certain corals and other invertebrates.
Do NOT fit the bubble trap snug on the skimmers output. You can not block the flow of the skimmer or else it will overflow. I think that I had somewhat the same thing happen to me when I first set up this skimmer. You need a ball valve on your pump to throttle back the pump. (the ball valve is that grey thing that looks like a valve, it came with your pump.)
Throttle back your pump, and then finely adjust the water level with the red knob on top of the skimmer. Do not let your air tube hang over the side of the aquarium, or let it fall in the water. You will have a leaking problem.
If you need anymore help, just ask.
 
m0nk

m0nk

Active Member
Originally Posted by mtsuguy
this is where most of the bubbles microbubbles are getting into my DT. Is it bad for the fish in the tank?
I've actually read that microbubbles aren't good for fish as they irritate the gills. This, as with any other stress, could bring on something worse.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by m0nk
I've actually read that microbubbles aren't good for fish as they irritate the gills. This, as with any other stress, could bring on something worse.

Back up what you write...
I have had microbubbles in some of my tanks for a long time, and have had maroon clowns spawn. Fish wouldn't spawn if they are stressed in any way.
 
m0nk

m0nk

Active Member
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
Back up what you write...
I have had microbubbles in some of my tanks for a long time, and have had maroon clowns spawn. Fish wouldn't spawn if they are stressed in any way.
Just info I've ready on here in numerous threads as well as on --. If you do a search you'll see a bunch. I could be wrong, like I said "I read" it.
 
srfisher17

srfisher17

Active Member
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
Back up what you write...
I have had microbubbles in some of my tanks for a long time, and have had maroon clowns spawn. Fish wouldn't spawn if they are stressed in any way.
Speaking or which: micro-bubbles do nothing to "aerate" sw tanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top