Selcon + Skimmer = microbubbles?

tur4k

Member
I've noticed that I get a lot of microbubbles in my tank sometimes when I feed. The amount and duration seems to be related to which additive I soak the food in. I almost always soak my food in either Garlic Extreme, Boyds Vitachem or Selcon. Twice now I've tried soaking it in AminOmega and both times the microbubble effect has been really really bad and has lasted a lot longer then usual.
I think the fats and/or oils in the additives are causing my skimmer to produce crazy microbubbles. Has anyone else encountered this phenomena? I'm going to try turning my skimmer off before I feed next time to confirm.
 

meowzer

Moderator
YUP.....happens to me too....but not in the tank that the skimmer is in the sump...only the 2 tanks that have hang ons
Lasts 30 minutes at most....I also use zoe and zoecon.....it bubbles when I add the Zoecon too
 

tur4k

Member
Most of the time it only lasts about 30 minutes. This AminOmega stuff causes it to last for hours. I guess I'll keep it out of the rotation.
My skimmer is in my sump. There is even a baffle between my skimmer and return pump. I still get crazy microbubbles. Even with a sponge in the baffle. Though it seems worse without the sponge.
 

sepulatian

Moderator
It sounds like you are adding too much to the food. A few drops will do and give it time to soak into the defrosted food. Excess will cause the skimmer to react like crazy. Also watch that you aren't adding vitamins to foods that cannot easily absorb them such as krill, shrimp, or anything without a porous texture. If it runs right off of the food then rinse the excess off. The additives will do no good if the fish cannot consume them.
 

tur4k

Member
I scoop a couple of ounces of water out of the tank into a small glass. I put the frozen food cubes into the water to defrost. I add a few drops of selcon, vitachem or garlic extreme to the mixture. I stir every now and then until it is all defrosted and let sit for a few more minutes. I then pour it into the tank.
It is possible that I'm adding too much. Use 1ml of selcon. 4 or 5 drops of garlic. I don't really have a problem when I add vitachem. This is for a 90G tank.
 
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