IM mini skimmer bubbles

[rookiereeferchicago]

Hey guys. I need help figuring out why my mini skimmer is dumping soooo many micro bubbles into my display tank. I've been running the tank for 3 weeks now and these bubbles just won't stop. I have a innovative marine nuvo 20 tank, by the way, with the skimmer inside of the back compartment. I even tried jamming piece of sponge filer between the skimmer and the sump wall with no luck. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[w2inc]

You have done all the obvious things. If you are not producing any sludge with your current settings, try adjusting the water intake and the air intake. Do it individually. I would start with the water intake first. Find some way to block it.

 

[lion king]

Those type of skimmer setups are a pita. You will likely need a bubble trap sponge between the skimmer and the overflow to the tank. I have found these skimmer set ups ineffetient and a pita to keep adjusted. If you monitor your nitrates you'll likely not find much difference with or without this skimmer.

 

[rookiereeferchicago]

Those type of skimmer setups are a pita. You will likely need a bubble trap sponge between the skimmer and the overflow to the tank. I have found these skimmer set ups ineffetient and a pita to keep adjusted. If you monitor your nitrates you'll likely not find much difference with or without this skimmer.

I was thinking about giving up on it and maybe run cheato in that compartment. What type of sponge will trap these bubbles? I'd like to give that a chance, at least

 

[w2inc]

I was thinking about giving up on it and maybe run cheato in that compartment. What type of sponge will trap these bubbles? I'd like to give that a chance, at least

Pore size about the size of a pin head. Make sure you the water has to go through it to get to the pump inlet.

If you can adjust the skimmer by moving it upward or downward, you might be able to control some of the bubbles as well.

 

[Midrats]

Also, new sponges often exacerbate bubble problems and act a surfactants for extended periods of time unless it was very thoroughly rinsed. My skimmer foams over for days from certain pads and sponges. Poly-Filter is the worst.

 

[lion king]

I was thinking about giving up on it and maybe run cheato in that compartment. What type of sponge will trap these bubbles? I'd like to give that a chance, at least

I was going to suggest running a algae reactor instead, which is what I did; but I didn't want to get ahead of myself. I've tried a few of these type of skimmers, they really dont provide much if anything. Drop a mj1200 in that back chamber to feed an algae reactor in the cabinet, and you'll be considering "why am I even doing water changes". That's how good your numbers will be, of course for reef you'll need to add back the elements.

 

[w2inc]

I was going to suggest running a algae reactor instead, which is what I did; but I didn't want to get ahead of myself. I've tried a few of these type of skimmers, they really dont provide much if anything. Drop a mj1200 in that back chamber to feed an algae reactor in the cabinet, and you'll be considering "why am I even doing water changes". That's how good your numbers will be, of course for reef you'll need to add back the elements.

I second the idea of some kind of algae grow section. I am not partial to any specific one.

You could also slow down the recirculating pump that moves water from the front to the back. Give the bubbles more time to settle out. The pump inside the display looks like it pushes plenty of water. If it doesn’t, you could always add another one later. I typically push 10x the tank volume per hour past the skimmer. I have have heard 6x is ok, but there are so many variables with each skimmer tank and food set up that you will have to test and see what works for your setup.

I have one tank with no skimmer, and growing Cheato that has been running that way for possibly 4 months. The tank has been established for 3 years and has equal amounts of rock in the sump as the display. I have tried going skimmerless in fresh startups and not had the best luck. I tried it on the same tank a year ago and couldn’t make it awesome, so I am kind of waiting to see if it stays stable on this round. My experience has been that Cheato reactors, scrubbers or any version of them will make your reefing experience way more successsful much earlier in the game.