Protein Skimmer only at night?

Medic3170 · Mar 10, 2021

So my NEW protein skimmer is (I assume) still breaking in because there are still a ton of micro bubbles so I only run it overnight when the lights are off so I can't see it and the fish are hiding. If, and when the micro bubbles stop can I continue to do this? Does the skimmer need to run 24/7?

vetteguy53081 · Mar 10, 2021

I tun 24/7
It may be your sump water level or valve open too much

ReefRusty · Mar 10, 2021

Check seals pr plugs, mine took about 3 or 4 days to break in, and lately if I have it off for more than an hour it goes through a mini break-in. Causing micro bubbles back into the DT for a couple hours. Prob not a bad thing feesing oxygen to the tank

ca1ore · Mar 10, 2021

Not sure what 'breaking in' means for a skimmer ..... give it a good clean to get off any manufacturing residue and that's it.

Waters · Mar 10, 2021

To answer your question, yes, you can run it only at night if you want. Really no reason to not run it all the time though unless you are trying to increase nutrients.

NickTheIrish · Mar 28, 2021

Yeah, I’m having a similar issue with the micro bubbles.
I installed a protein skimmer about a week ago, and ever since then my pump has been spewing micro bubbles into the tank. Is this temporary?

Medic3170 · Mar 28, 2021

NickTheIrish said:
Yeah, I’m having a similar issue with the micro bubbles.
I installed a protein skimmer about a week ago, and ever since then my pump has been spewing micro bubbles into the tank. Is this temporary?

So I am happy to report that YES THIS IS TEMPORARY. It finally started performing properly and micobubbles have diminished to a minimal level!

Medic3170 · Jun 14, 2021

NickTheIrish said:
Yeah, I’m having a similar issue with the micro bubbles.
I installed a protein skimmer about a week ago, and ever since then my pump has been spewing micro bubbles into the tank. Is this temporary?

So I know I'm late with a reply but this was absolutely just a break in period as they call it in the manual. All microbubbles have gone and skimmer is working perfectly. Hope this is also the case for you!