Microbubbles from skimmer

Surfside74 · May 21, 2018

I have a reef octopus classic 202-s on my 130 gallon with a 20 gallon sump. Everything is brand new and i started cycling the tank tuesday with dr tims and ammonia. I turned on the skimmer friday and have been running it since. The skimmer is producing tons of microbubbles coming out of the discharge (not the collection cup) and entering the sump and my display. I understand that this may be the skimmer breaking in but how long does that take before the bubbles stop. As i said everything in the tank, including dry rock, live sand, and all piping and equipment is brand new. Thank you.

Dr. Reef · May 21, 2018

At least couple of weeks for it to break in.
Check the water level inside the skimmer without air and make sure it's where the level should be then let air in.

Surfside74 · May 22, 2018

Dr. Reef said:
At least couple of weeks for it to break in.
Check the water level inside the skimmer without air and make sure it's where the level should be then let air in.

What do you mean? You mean turn it off then back on or cover over air line? Its actually producing some foam today which is a first.

Dr. Reef · May 22, 2018

yes cut the air intake off by plugging it with something and test where is the water level at. skimmer should have a water high and low level indicators. keep the water right in middle of the high and low then let air back in and let it run for 2 weeks or so.

Surfside74 · May 22, 2018

Dr. Reef said:
yes cut the air intake off by plugging it with something and test where is the water level at. skimmer should have a water high and low level indicators. keep the water right in middle of the high and low then let air back in and let it run for 2 weeks or so.

Ok. I don't see any indicators on the skimmer unfortunately. Its sitting in about 5 to 6 inches of water in the sump. What would be normal water level inside skimmer? Maybe half to three quarters? Let me see what I can figure out.

Surfside74 · May 22, 2018

Ok I did it. Water is now about half to three quarters way up and I just kept the air back in. The water level before was up in the neck area

Dr. Reef · May 22, 2018

let it run for a week or 2 and then make minor adjustments to raise the water/bubbles up into neck enough to where you like it.

Suggested sump water level: At 200-220mm(7.9-8.7”) for Classic 202-S

Surfside74 · May 22, 2018

Dr. Reef said:
let it run for a week or 2 and then make minor adjustments to raise the water/bubbles up into neck enough to where you like it.

Suggested sump water level: At 200-220mm(7.9-8.7”) for Classic 202-S

I know the suggested water level for sump is above but he problem is I cant raise the water level any more without having to redo some hard plumbing. If i try and raise it then the sump will overflow when the power goes off. So unfortunately 5.5 inches in best i can do. Here's a pic after doing what you said

Surfside74 · May 22, 2018

Dr. Reef · May 22, 2018

can you increase the height of the drain pipe coming out of the skimmer? can you take a pic of the drain and it height.
if you increase the height on the red pipe under the ball valve it will automatically increase water level inside the skimmer. but make sure air is blocked completely before adjusting/leveling water level inside the skimmer.

theMeat · May 22, 2018

Nice skimmer. One of the best bang for buck out there, imo

The water level in sump, for that skimmer, has to be 7-9” to work well.

The water level inside skimmer should be between the two black rings. The one on top of skimmer body, and the one under where skimmate collects.

You adjust the level inside skimmer with airline open as it is when operating normally

theMeat · May 22, 2018

If you still have micro bubbles after you get it in right water level in sump, and after break in, you can place it in a bucket, inside the sump, with holes drilled around the bottom

theMeat · May 22, 2018

Dr reef, you don’t adjust the level with air line blocked.

Surfside74 · May 22, 2018

If I raise the sump water level, which I dont think I can do, then the entire discharge pipe will be under the water

Dr. Reef · May 22, 2018

theMeat said:
Dr reef, you don’t adjust the level with air line blocked.

i always thought you cut air then adjust water lever and then let air in which will increase the level by few inches and then you make minor adjustment to your liking of dry to wet skim.

theMeat · May 22, 2018

Just put more water in sump

theMeat · May 22, 2018

Dr. Reef said:
i always thought you cut air then adjust water lever and then let air in which will increase the level by few inches and then you make minor adjustment to your liking of dry to wet skim.

It’s the other way around. Block the air, water level goes up. Can’t adjust if/ when airline is blocked