Surface protein bubbles

[TxReefer21]

Already made a thread on this see if I can get anymore answers to why I have so much protein bubbles huddled in a corner I have flow up top and flow in tank. Flow from hob filter. But I’m stumped on why it’s happening also running a protein skimmer so I’m not sure if I need to run Better mechanical filtration in my hob filter or what

 

[blaxsun]

What size is your tank and what are you running for your HOB filter? Is your protein skimmer also HOB?

 

[TxReefer21]

What size is your tank and what are you running for your HOB filter? Is your protein skimmer also HOB?

40g breeder tidal 55 hob and fluval PS1 in tank protein skimmer

 

[blaxsun]

40g breeder tidal 55 hob and fluval PS1 in tank protein skimmer

What’s your flow dial set to for the pump and how much flow is split between the intake and surface intake? Also, what are you using for filter media and how often do you change or replace it?

At first glance it looks like the corner where is kind of a dead spot that’s trapping stuff. Readjusting your wave pump (I only saw the one) to bounce around the flow a bit might resolve that.

You could also trying increasing the flow rate of your Hob filter if that’s not 100%, and also adjusting it so that it pulls more in from the surface than below the surface.

 

[TxReefer21]

What’s your flow dial set to for the pump and how much flow is split between the intake and surface intake? Also, what are you using for filter media and how often do you change or replace it?

I have two wave makers both set at 30% lowest they can go one pointed up other pointed forward straight All I’ve used for media is filter floss only change it when it’s nasty brown

 

[TxReefer21]

What’s your flow dial set to for the pump and how much flow is split between the intake and surface intake? Also, what are you using for filter media and how often do you change or replace it?

At first glance it looks like the corner where is kind of a dead spot that’s trapping stuff. Readjusting your wave pump (I only saw the one) to bounce around the flow a bit might resolve that.

You could also trying increasing the flow rate of your Hob filter if that’s not 100%, and also adjusting it so that it pulls more in from the surface than below the surface.

It’s set at 100% for the hob filter I have one wave maker in one corner and another opposite end on back side so it make circle motion

 

[blaxsun]

I have two wave makers both set at 30% lowest they can go one pointed up other pointed forward straight All I’ve used for media is filter floss only change it when it’s nasty brown

I meant the Seachem HOB. What’s it set to and how much of the intake flow is split between the subsurface and surface? You could try placing them on opposite sides and slightly angling them both up and towards the front of the tank.

 

[TxReefer21]

It’s set at 100% for the hob filter I have one wave maker in one corner and another opposite end on back side so it make circle motion

 

[blaxsun]

Seachem filter on the back left corner and Fluval skimmer in the back center - is that right?

 

[TxReefer21]

Seachem filter on the back left corner and Fluval skimmer in the back center - is that right?

The tidal 55 hob left corner with heater and ps1 fluval skimmer in the middle

 

[blaxsun]

The tidal 55 hob left corner with heater and ps1 fluval skimmer in the middle

How do you have the intake split on the Tidal 55? All below the surface or split between subsurface and surface?

 

[TxReefer21]

How do you have the intake split on the Tidal 55? All below the surface or split between subsurface and surface?

Just like this

 

[blaxsun]

Just like this

Page 9, step 3.

https://www.seachem.com/downloads/instructions/Tidal-Filter-Instructions.pdf

If it were me, I would put the Tidal 55 in the center at the back of the tank beside the Fluval (leave 4-6” between them). I’d also move your wavemakers to the center on the left/right sides, and aim them up and forward to bounce off the front.

I think this would give you better heating and flow in your tank, and probably eliminate any dead spots. You also need to make sure you’re pulling some flow for the Tidal from the surface opening (such that you’re pulling water from below through the pipe and at the surface through the vent just below the waterline).