Bubble magus curve 7 bubbles

[Eggpaul]

My tank has been running for 5 weeks and it seems the bubbles won't reach the cup on my skimmer. There is junk building up below the cup as you can see here. The water level is 9 inches. The skimmate is seen in the pic. What do I do? Only time bubbles reach the cup is when I change water and shut off the return pump. The level rises in the sump of course when I do that.

@crabs_mcjones See the collar? I have lots of brown skimmate. should be in the cup right?

 

[Crabs McJones]

You can either submerge the skimmer in deeper water, or close your air intake valve so less air is getting in the skimmer raising the water level inside.

 

[Eggpaul]

You can either submerge the skimmer in deeper water, or close your air intake valve so less air is getting in the skimmer raising the water level inside.

Yes, the setting is at #1, which I believe means it is the highest water level. The only way it can be in deeper water is if the water level is higher, but then I will lose the waterfall in the refugium to return. Is that waterfall necessary or can it be like this below?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Yes, the setting is at #1, which I believe means it is the highest water level. The only way it can be in deeper water is if the water level is higher, but then I will lose the waterfall in the refugium to return. Is that waterfall necessary or can it be like this below?

Waterfall is not necessary in my opinion. The only reason I can see for the waterfall is so chaeto or detritus doesnt backwash into your skimmer reactor chamber. You could always get some sponge material to wedge in there to prevent that.

 

[Eggpaul]

Waterfall is not necessary in my opinion. The only reason I can see for the waterfall is so chaeto or detritus doesnt backwash into your skimmer reactor chamber. You could always get some sponge material to wedge in there to prevent that.

Ok great! Thanks for that. I will increase the water level.

 

[Eggpaul]

Ok great! Thanks for that. I will increase the water level.

Waterfall is not necessary in my opinion. The only reason I can see for the waterfall is so chaeto or detritus doesnt backwash into your skimmer reactor chamber. You could always get some sponge material to wedge in there to prevent that.

My Ato is in the return. Usually with a waterfall the 2 sections stay the same and the return shows the evaporation since the level is below the baffle. If the water level goes above the baffle to make the skimmer work, won't evaporation lower the level in the entire sump though?

 

[Crabs McJones]

My Ato is in the return. Usually with a waterfall the 2 sections stay the same and the return shows the evaporation since the level is below the baffle. If the water level goes above the baffle to make the skimmer work, won't evaporation lower the level in the entire sump though?

That is a good question. How much of a fluctuation in level does your ato allow?

 

[Eggpaul]

That is a good question. How much of a fluctuation in level does your ato allow?

It is the Hydor. I would say 1/2 inch.

 

[rainmaker]

You may try running it with a higher water level for a week or 2 so ur bubbles can reach cup then lower water a little at a time an see how that goes
May need to get bubbles higher in neck an let it run like that if you notice it filling cup faster then try lowering water level in sump till you get to a good level

 

[TripleDogDareYah]

I have that same skimmer and it works really well. I'm very pleased with it. I do think raising the water level of the sump is necessary for it though. What does the waterfall give you that makes you so set on keeping it that way? If there is no waterfall then there is less chance of microbubbles reaching the display... which is a good thing.

 

[Eggpaul]

That is a good question. How much of a fluctuation in level does your ato allow?

So I came home and started cleaning the glass with my new Tunze. Added some CUC. Started thinking about this convo and the skimmer. Looked below and the bubbles are at the top! So maybe it just needed some time!

 

[Crabs McJones]

So I came home and started cleaning the glass with my new Tunze. Added some CUC. Started thinking about this convo and the skimmer. Looked below and the bubbles are at the top! So maybe it just needed some time!

Awesome! Glad to hear it