Skimmers & Bubbles

[sandy]

As Ya'll know, I've got a Skilter. (I don't recommend it). It is marketed as a aeriating power filter & protein skimmer. I have the protein skimmer part of the Skilter turned off (which means I simply shut off the air valve) until I finish cycling.
When running the protein skimmer, the air bubbles do not just stay in the tube... the spray out of the filtered water and fill the tank with tiny air bubbles. I can turn it down, but there are just fewer bubbles.
Are these tiny bubbles bad for my critters? Do Prizm and other good protein skimmers do this? Also, the air part of the Skilter is LOUD... are the other skimmers quiet, silent? or what? As always, Thanks!

 

[mr . salty]

Loud,and bubbles in the tank are the two major problems with this skimmer.Quality skimmers are virtually silent,and do NOT put bubbles into the tank....There are ways to quiet your skilter down a bit,but they are still very ineffective skimmers...But on the bright side,they are one hell of a good filter...Just the skimmer that sucks...

 

[sandy]

Mr. Salty: Do the bubbles cause a problem in my tank or critters?

 

[marine fanatic]

My first skimmer was a Aquarium Systems Visi-Jet skimmer that was as loud as a dump truck and pumped enough micro-bubbles in my tank to cloud everything up. I set it at lowest setting and still the problem persisted. I then purchased a Berlin Air Lift 60 and even though there are better skimmmers, this one was really affordable and it's quiet as a mouse, NO bubbles in my tank and it removes about 1/5 cup of waste every 2-3 days. If you are looking for a new skimmer and do not want to spend alot of money.....the Berlin might be just the ticket for you.