simplicity skimmer leak?

[Lunas_dad]

Hi everyone, very new to this aquarium, it was an established tank I picked up. the skimmer is bubbling and skimming ok, but is also blowing bubbles out of the bottom. I thought this was normal, until a friend said it isn't. Ive had it apart and cleaned it in the past, but it did it before and after. Since its all underwater, I can't see where its coming from. Has this happened to anyone? Any ideas? Its a Simplicity 240. thank you.

 

[ying yang]

No experience with your skimmer but maybe take it out water fill it up with water best you can and look to see of can see water leaking from anywhere or any visible cracks.and check any rubber seals/o rings that are near or below where you can see bubbles ( if any )

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Do you have 10 gallon tank laying around, fill it with SW and try to replicate your sump so you can see it better, that or remove the skimmer and take a picture of it maybe something obvious is wrong.

 

[Gtinnel]

Is there a lot of bubbles coming out of the bottom or just a small amount? If just a small amount I wouldn't worry about it unless it's causing you any other issues.

Also, are you sure it isn't just bubbles making it out through the outlet which is at the bottom of the skimmer?

 

[Lunas_dad]

Hi guys, thank you for the replies. I looked at it closer and was able to feel water coming out of this gray pipe. Is it supposed to be open at the end like this? Thank you for the help. David.

 

[Gtinnel]

Yes water should be coming out of there. I'm not familiar with that exact skimmer but you should be able to turn that pipe to partially block off the pipe to adjust the water level in your skimmer.

 

[Lunas_dad]

Yes water should be coming out of there. I'm not familiar with that exact skimmer but you should be able to turn that pipe to partially block off the pipe to adjust the water level in your skimmer.

thank you very much for your help. I'm just trying to figure everything out with this thing....

 

[Gtinnel]

thank you very much for your help. I'm just trying to figure everything out with this thing....

Again I'm not familiar with that specific skimmer but the way it should work is that you can turn the pipe and it will partially block the pipe coming out of the skimmer. The more the water is blocked from exiting the skimmer the higher the water level will be in the skimmer and vice versa, opening the pipe completely will lower the water level. You want to set the water level to where the foam is just starting to be around the top of the collection cup. Water level too low and the skimmate won't make it into the cup and water level too high and too much water enters the cup filling up your cup too often.

Unless this is a DC skimmer and then there is more options for adjusting it.

Also, if you are happy with the skimmate that it collects then I'd reccomend just leaving it alone.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Is this a brand new skimmer?

 

[branbray07]

Im having the same issue, did it get fixed?

 

[pecan2phat]

Micro bubbles released from the pipe is normal, you just need to let the skimmer break in and most if not all the micro bubbles will go away.

 

[rhostam]

You need to tune your skimmer. If it is set to super high it can “leak“ bubbles. Lower setting, or adjust the valves so this stops. It can take a minute to figure it out after it breaks in. I have the same unit and it works great once you get it setup.

 

[Idech]

You need to tune your skimmer. If it is set to super high it can “leak“ bubbles. Lower setting, or adjust the valves so this stops. It can take a minute to figure it out after it breaks in. I have the same unit and it works great once you get it setup.

@rhostam when you say « lower setting », do you mean turning down the pump with the DC controller ?

Mine is the same. Way too many microbubbles and they are filling the display tank. Skimmer has been on for 6 weeks (and 3 weeks break-in in a bucket prior) and I still can’t find the right adjustment. It also leaks a lot, like 50% of the time when I empty the cup and put it back on.

I’m getting really frustrated with it. Any tips ?