Bubble Magus Curve 5 overflowing constantly

[Sstadler]

Hello. I recently set up a new tank and have been having trouble getting my protein skimmer to function. Everytime I turn on my protein skimmer, the bubbles overflow into the cup, and fill the cup in a few short seconds and push the top lid off. I have adjusted the height of the Skimmer in the water. I have the setting turned up to “max.” If you’re familiar with the bubble magus, you know that the “max” is basically the “low” on other skimmers. Once raising the skimmer, I noticed that the skimmer is flowing a large amount of bubbles out of the bottom of the intake while it is on max. This is causing me to have a ton of micro bubbles in the DT. I have attached photos for reference. Please help! Thank you!

 

[Sstadler]

To add, regardless of how I run the skimmer, or what setting it is on, I have to the leave the overflow tube uncapped and flowing back into my sump or else there would be a ridiculous mess of water and foam overflowing

 

[scottedontknow]

How deep is it sitting in water? Skimmer chamber ALWAYS same water height?

 

[xaflatoonx]

I have a BM elite.
had the same problem.

Did you use dry sand?

 

[xaflatoonx]

Remove the cup. Let the water overflow into the sump. If you have used dry sand and didn’t clean it enough times to see water absolutely clear before you put it in tank - then this will continue for a long time.

if you used live sand. Then that’s not the issue.
Either way - new skimmer will take tome to settle. Longer than what BM thinks.

let the water overflow into the sump. Also lower the sump water level to 6”.
I extracted the skimmed bubbles out for weeks because of my dry sand mistake.

 

[Sstadler]

The skimmer was in approx 9 inches of water but I noticed it runs better (better meaning less overflow) at approx 5 inches. I used Caribsea Life Rock, Live Sand, RODI Water, tropic Marin pro-reef salt.

 

[Sstadler]

Remove the cup. Let the water overflow into the sump. If you have used dry sand and didn’t clean it enough times to see water absolutely clear before you put it in tank - then this will continue for a long time.

if you used live sand. Then that’s not the issue.
Either way - new skimmer will take tome to settle. Longer than what BM thinks.

let the water overflow into the sump. Also lower the sump water level to 6”.
I extracted the skimmed bubbles out for weeks because of my dry sand mistake.

I feel that something needs to be done about the micro bubbles then. They are everywhere. So many that they are going past my baffle

 

[John08007]

I have a curve 7, need to have it dialed down most of the time. It does ocassionally still overflow like this. Id suggest run the overflow tube to a bucket and use it to perform a waterchange. It will soon calm down. Just keep an eye on your bucket and be sure to replace the water you remove.

 

[sporeefer]

I have your solution. The air inlet line runs up to a little clear cup and then there’s a small hole at the top of the ‘cup’ (it’s like a 1-1.5in diameter clear tube, a few inches tall). If you plug the whole with your finger you’ll feel suction.

Turn the control knob to max. Take a piece of electrical tape and cover that little hole securely so air can’t get in. The bubbles will die down a LOT if not entirely. Then take a thumbtack and poke a single hole in the tape. The bubbles will start up a little. When the bubbles are where you want them, let it ride. Check it every day or if you’re like me several times a day. When they’re too low, poke another hole (or several). Eventually you can just take the tape off. It can take a week or two, and the skimmer runs a little louder when the tape is on but it works.

 

[John08007]

Or you can let it run its course for a little bit to remove everything it wants till it calms down. Replace discarded water with new water and move on

 

[Jon Fishman]

Another vote for letting it overflow in the sump for a couple weeks....... That is what it takes unfortunately

 

[Mical]

I have a Curve 5 and for about the first 24 hrs it did that also, it's something in the coating when they built it. As others mentioned just let it overflow and don't be concerned with the micro-bubbles. Let it break in.

As far as depth 8" is the sweetspot and you turn the knob closer to Max (it's backwards type of thinking) Here's mine at the moment