Simplicity 120 insane amount of bubbles

[branbray07]

Wow. Im at a loss here. I even raised the skimmer with no results

 

[Simplicity Aquatics]

I see Prime in your stand, did you use this to condition the water?
If so, this is why you are having so much micro-bubbles.

There are a number of reasons why microbubbles can occur, many responses on here are correct, many are not. Additives are a huge cause of microbubbles especially in a brand new system with little to no bioload. I saw that you have not used Prime, but MP7 will certainly cause bubbles as well in a brand new system. So does other bacterial supplements, clarifiers that come inside bags of sand, dechlorinators etc. Even fresh mixed seawater often makes skimmers go a bit bonkers.

I think you are expecting to much from a cheap skimmer. This thing is cheap for a reason, the pump and controller are pretty crappy and there are a lot of gaps for the bubbles to get out but it mostly works so decent reviews. A high end skimmer will cost you 2-3x and idk if you really get that much better results

This is flat out false. Our skimmers function just as well as those 2-3x the price and believing the cost determines the quality is just flat wrong. Sure are their skimmers with pumps made in Germany or something that are better? Of course, but a flat statement about the quality of our skimmer based on price is bogus. As you can see from the previous post or two, they do a great job creating some nasty skimmate.


I saw many posts about running the skimmer at lower than full speeds. I highly recommend anyone running a skimmer read our tuning guide as I believe many of you simply do not have the skimmer tuned to operate at peak performance which is why you have bubbles. For example the OP stating he was running the air wide open, this is not properly tuned.

Protein Skimmers: How to Tune a Protein Skimmer - Simplicity Aquatics

Learn how to tune a protein skimmer to ensure you're system is properly setup for successful aquarium skimming.

www.simplicityaquatics.com

Water depth may also be at play here. 9" is great for the 320 as I believe someone mentioned, however the 120 should be closer to 7-8".

 

[branbray07]

There are a number of reasons why microbubbles can occur, many responses on here are correct, many are not. Additives are a huge cause of microbubbles especially in a brand new system with little to no bioload. I saw that you have not used Prime, but MP7 will certainly cause bubbles as well in a brand new system. So does other bacterial supplements, clarifiers that come inside bags of sand, dechlorinators etc. Even fresh mixed seawater often makes skimmers go a bit bonkers.


This is flat out false. Our skimmers function just as well as those 2-3x the price and believing the cost determines the quality is just flat wrong. Sure are their skimmers with pumps made in Germany or something that are better? Of course, but a flat statement about the quality of our skimmer based on price is bogus. As you can see from the previous post or two, they do a great job creating some nasty skimmate.


I saw many posts about running the skimmer at lower than full speeds. I highly recommend anyone running a skimmer read our tuning guide as I believe many of you simply do not have the skimmer tuned to operate at peak performance which is why you have bubbles. For example the OP stating he was running the air wide open, this is not properly tuned.

Protein Skimmers: How to Tune a Protein Skimmer - Simplicity Aquatics

Learn how to tune a protein skimmer to ensure you're system is properly setup for successful aquarium skimming.

www.simplicityaquatics.com

Water depth may also be at play here. 9" is great for the 320 as I believe someone mentioned, however the 120 should be closer to 7-8".

Hello, yes MB7 was used to seed my tank during the first week. However it has not been used in over a week. 0 additives have been added to the tank, besides RO top off and frozen brine for the fish. I have no doubt the skimmer works, but it has not for me. Hence why i need help. I have tried, open closed you name it with no result. To include several water levels. Here are my latest settings

 

[branbray07]

Microbubbles have not improved at all

 

[branbray07]

@Simplicity Aquatics
Ok so as per your email, I will attempt to tune this for the 4th time

1. Set the water level adjustment knob pointing arrow to arrow.
2. Close the air intake adjustment valve all the way and then open it back-up approximately half a turn or 180 degrees. Make small adjustments to the air valve and observe the water level. The goal is to get the highest level of bubbles inside the skimmer body. Do NOT make any additional adjustments for 24 hours.
   

Set Pump to 100%
Wait 24 Hrs

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

I have to use a silicone spatula to clean the neck of the my Simplicity DC 240 on my 120 gallon tank.

 

[Simplicity Aquatics]

@Simplicity Aquatics
Ok so as per your email, I will attempt to tune this for the 4th time

1. Set the water level adjustment knob pointing arrow to arrow.
2. Close the air intake adjustment valve all the way and then open it back-up approximately half a turn or 180 degrees. Make small adjustments to the air valve and observe the water level. The goal is to get the highest level of bubbles inside the skimmer body. Do NOT make any additional adjustments for 24 hours.
   

Set Pump to 100%
Wait 24 Hrs

Any update? If you can provide some additional photos or a video I am happy to offer additional assistance.

 

[branbray07]

Any update? If you can provide some additional photos or a video I am happy to offer additional assistance.

Greetings, well good and bad news.
Good seems like i started to produce some skimmate after the 24 hrs, very milky liquid but something.
Bad, i have a bacteria bloom of some sort, and its throwing everything out of wack..
When it rains it pours. Also Microbubbles remain,that has not seen any improvement . I will continue to update in following days.

 

[branbray07]

Just want to Add, and thank Joel over at Simplicity for taking his time and calling me to help with any issues. Amazing support.!!

 

[branbray07]

Ok so just hrs after speaking with the guys at @Simplicity Aquatics , the improvements are night and day and getting better by the hr. I cant rave enough how much this has helped, and the amazing support that they provided me. Here are some photos of the improvements. Even the dreaded microbubbles have began to disappear I will continue to monitor and update my progress.

Air Valve continues in the same spot, and as of now seems to be what working for me.


Wedge pipe slightly adjusted , from original place. Slowly but surely it seems to be finding its sweet spot.



Water Level Steady at 7 inches , this too seems to be the spot


End Result.. Very Nice Foamy Goodness.



PS. PUMP SPEED CONTINUES AT MAX SPEED.

 

[Speaker]

Ok so just hrs after speaking with the guys at @Simplicity Aquatics , the improvements are night and day and getting better by the hr. I cant rave enough how much this has helped, and the amazing support that they provided me. Here are some photos of the improvements. Even the dreaded microbubbles have began to disappear I will continue to monitor and update my progress.

Air Valve continues in the same spot, and as of now seems to be what working for me.


Wedge pipe slightly adjusted , from original place. Slowly but surely it seems to be finding its sweet spot.



Water Level Steady at 7 inches , this too seems to be the spot


End Result.. Very Nice Foamy Goodness.



PS. PUMP SPEED CONTINUES AT MAX SPEED.

Good to hear you got it working.

 

[Maureen Hey]

Ok so just hrs after speaking with the guys at @Simplicity Aquatics , the improvements are night and day and getting better by the hr. I cant rave enough how much this has helped, and the amazing support that they provided me. Here are some photos of the improvements. Even the dreaded microbubbles have began to disappear I will continue to monitor and update my progress.

Air Valve continues in the same spot, and as of now seems to be what working for me.


Wedge pipe slightly adjusted , from original place. Slowly but surely it seems to be finding its sweet spot.



Water Level Steady at 7 inches , this too seems to be the spot


End Result.. Very Nice Foamy Goodness.



PS. PUMP SPEED CONTINUES AT MAX SPEED.

Thanks for the amazing post...full of great info that has mine finally ( 2weeks of messing around and a CO2 scrubber attached) looking good and nice icky foam LOL...appreciate your help and the pics...is it still working well for you?

 

[branbray07]

Thanks for the amazing post...full of great info that has mine finally ( 2weeks of messing around and a CO2 scrubber attached) looking good and nice icky foam LOL...appreciate your help and the pics...is it still working well for you?

Hey glad is working for you. Take some trial and error but when it you get it dialed on wellll . You tell me @Simplicity Aquatics , is it working right? LOL

 

[branbray07]

That is 2 days worth, and only working for half the day midnight to noon.

 

[Simplicity Aquatics]

Excellent! Glad to hear you are making progress. We appreciate the kind words.

@Maureen Hey Did you determine the CO2 scrubber was causing problems? Would love to hear more so we can help others who contact us with similar issues. I get lots of questions about running scrubbers on our skimmers.

 

[branbray07]

Excellent! Glad to hear you are making progress. We appreciate the kind words.

@Maureen Hey Did you determine the CO2 scrubber was causing problems? Would love to hear more so we can help others who contact us with similar issues. I get lots of questions about running scrubbers on our skimmers.

Likewise. I have been thinking about adding a scrubber for PH boost. I actually added a line to the outside.

 

[Maureen Hey]

Excellent! Glad to hear you are making progress. We appreciate the kind words.

@Maureen Hey Did you determine the CO2 scrubber was causing problems? Would love to hear more so we can help others who contact us with similar issues. I get lots of questions about running scrubbers on our skimmers.

For sure it seems the scrubber was my nemesis...LOL...I a still fine tuning and have used the silencer from my old skimmer in between the scrubber and the skimmer ( waiting for a proper inline air valve to arrive) but am definitely getting some nice skim in the cup and my PH is looking better...will get there ...really appreciate @branbray07 's post...it helped tremendously to drop the water level as well...7 inches of water seems like my sweet spot also... any additional suggestions are appreciated and welcome - pretty new to the skimmer game but do love this skimmer

 

[branbray07]

For sure it seems the scrubber was my nemesis...LOL...I a still fine tuning and have used the silencer from my old skimmer in between the scrubber and the skimmer ( waiting for a proper inline air valve to arrive) but am definitely getting some nice skim in the cup and my PH is looking better...will get there ...really appreciate @branbray07 's post...it helped tremendously to drop the water level as well...7 inches of water seems like my sweet spot also... any additional suggestions are appreciated and welcome - pretty new to the skimmer game but do love this skimmer

Best advise, tune it slowww. Mark the Air silencer like i did. Kinda like a clock or levels i guess. To help you know how much you have opened it or closed it

 

[Maureen Hey]

Best advise, tune it slowww. Mark the Air silencer like i did. Kinda like a clock or levels i guess. To help you know how much you have opened it or closed it

yep...with the co2 scrubber in play it's a little more challenging but more confident I'll get the perfect "tweak" ...sooner rather than later without sacrificing my PH too much...lol