Skimmer Sucks!!!

[bcarp]

I have posted before about my skimmer putting a million bubbles in my tank. One person said it was from the stress coat and would go away after a few days. Well it didnt and I shut it off, because somebody on here told me my tank shouldnt have a skimmer running while my tank is cycling. My tank is done cycling (6 weeks)and I have a yellow tang in my tank right now. So I turned my skimmer on and let it run for awhile, still a million bubbles in the tank. I shut it off because it looked like the bubbles were bothering the tang. I am about ready to throw it away. Do i really need it? I bought it from LFS used. They think it is a berlin hang on or American something. I am getting very frustrated with it! I had it tuned in to nice foam bubbles going into the cup, but still those fricken bubbles in the tank! Any suggestions!
72 bow tank
4" DSB
30lbs. LR
20lbs. LS on top of 80lbs.LFS sand
Rena XP3 Canister (350 GPH)
401 Powerhead (200 GPH)

 

[bluemarlin]

Can you cut back on the flow? If the flow is too high, small micro bubbles will get into the water flow. Can you reduce the amount of air that is going into the skimmer? If its a Berlin it should have a control on the air intake and another on the pump. (The pump assumes it is a Berlin Turbo model)

 

[bcarp]

This model has one air hose going to the rio pump and one screw valve on the outake tube. I have tried screwing the out take valve almost all the way in and out tried numerous methods with the air hose still a million bubbles. Does the pump have to be so low or high in the tank. I would say it sits about 4 to 5" in the tank from the top. Very frustrating. I will explain what it looks like and see if you know what kind it is. It is a hang on, round tube shape. The bubble catcher (waste) sits hight above the tank. Has some red and black colors on it. There is no names on it at all! I dont know what to do! Is there a good one on the market that doesnt put so many bubbles into the tank? Its like it gets to much air. I dont know!!!!!!

 

[calvin & hobbes]

Where is your skimmer intake located. Is it near a power head or a return from a filter. If so try an relocate your skimmer to where the intake is not sucking up fast current water.

 

[bubbagump]

i just got my tank set up and i was having the same problems that you are having curently. it was making all of those little freakin bubbles and was getting really anoying. well 2 days ago the little bubbles disapered and someone told me to let the air valve all of the way open so i did that and now it works like a charm. just try and take the air valve off of the air hose and see what it will do thats how i got my to work really good and hope it will work for u

 

[sgt__york]

Can the skimmer be relocated? If so, have it so that the exhaust actually runs straight into the overflow (to the sump). The pump is now grabbing at water just before it goes into the overflow, and it should prevent any bubbles from entering the tank. I doubt the bubbles will survive to the sump, but if they do there - who cares? lol Just an idea. Good luck.

 

[bcarp]

Thank you for all the information. I will try taking the air valve off. Should I run it wide open the out take tube or close it some? There is no fast current by it. There is a power head in the bottom corner under it. I dont have a sump. It is a hang on skimmer. I will let you know what happens. Thanks again!!!

 

[splash1914]

I had the same problem.. Put a filter pad where the water comes out of the skimmer. This will dissolve the bubbles... Allow the water to flow freely out of the skimmer onto the filter pad. I use a rectangular filter foam block. Hope this helps....

 

[bubbagump]

i took the air valve completly off of my seaclone and it works wonders. but watch it for a few minues because on mine when i add water with dechlorinators in it it makes to many bubbles inside the skimmer and the collection cup fills up with water and no protiens just water in about 2 minutes or so. usually in about 3 days or so the dechlorinator goes away and all of those little bubbles goes away and with the air valve all of the way off of the air hose my skimmer works great.HTH

 

[falcon63]

it will tell you on box could take 3 weeks open it 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 this will help. and yes you need it

 

[tiffbritty]

if you are using stress coat it will take more than a few days it took mine a couple of weeks after i stopped using it plus a 25% water change. <img src="graemlins//angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" />

 

[bcarp]

I am starting to wonder if I should just do a 25% water change. I have been running the skimmer for a week now. I still have alot of bubbles. It seemed like they are going away. But when I turn it back on from feeding the fish, it got worse. Should I leave the skimmer on when I feed the fish? I alway shut the skimmer and canister off and leave the powerhead on when I feed the my yellow tang. Do you guys & girls think there could still be stress coat in my water from 6 weeks ago when I started the tank? (I will never put stress coat in a saltwater tank again!!!)Do you recommend a 25% water change this early in the a new setup? It is already cycled! All my water levels are zero and ph is perfect 8.2. I just cant stand these little bubbles!!!!!!

 

[heavenly damsel]

I have no experience with a hang on skimmer. Have skimmers in the sumps on three of my tanks. I have one excaliber and two top fathoms that I am more than pleased with. They run 24/7. I run them even when I feed my tangs....why would you shut it off? Just curious. I have no bubble problems.