SWC-230 Extrem - Micro bubbles

[Bubblewood]

Well... I picked up a new SWC 230 skimmer for my 240 reef. The skimmer works great producing lots of micro bubbles. They just need to stay "Inside" the skimmer. I'm having a problem with the coming back out the outlet pipe.
So here's the facts:
- Skimmer has been running for about 3 weeks - (Should be thru the break-in period)
- Depth is at 9" - Top of the outlet pipe is right at the water level.
- No medication has been used at all in the tank.
- I have bi-passed the "air chamber" Have a direct line going outside for incoming air to the pump.
I'm not having have bubbles going back into my tank...but my other pumps feeding my reactors don't like it.

Any ideas how to reduce these bubbles and keep them inside the skimmer?

Thanks!
Joe

 

[Reefing Madness]

Play with the depth of the skimmer itself. Go from 6" up. Also, is there anything blowing directly at the intake of your skimmers pump?

 

[TJ's Reef]

I run the SWC Extreme 200 on my system and have no micro-bubble issues, depth is 9.5" and outlet pipe is approx 7" down/deep. Also running it somewhat on the wetter side being only 1/4 open if that.

Cheers, Todd

 

[FishHead85]

I'm having the same issue with my 150g. Mine just throws out a ton of micro bubbles.

I ran the swc 160 on my last tank and I never had any issues.

 

[Saltgator]

I too run a swc 230 on my 240g. As Todd stated, I run mine wet too, probably @ 1/4 open as well. I also run a deeper depth, I think like 11 inches. I'll double check when I get home though to confirm.

 

[jgraz]

230 cone here and no bubbles anymore. It did produce a lot when first added to my very light load system then subsided as it found something more to skim. Then produced a lot again when i tied in my new 180G tank with the system. Diluted water equaled more micro bubbles in my case. Again as the water became more "dirty" the micro bubbles subsided and skimming went up. As far as depth, the water line is about 1/4" above the top of the outlet which i believe is less then 9" so I would check that figue again. I absolutly love the skimmer and having probably the best skimmer pump on the market makes it even better. That said, the air line and venturi does have a tendency to clog with buildup. That will also cause the bubbles and a bad case of overflowed cup. I clean mine about once a week or when i clean out the cup. Takes only a few min. First I pull out the venturi and scrape any build up out even if I don't see any. I do this while the skimmer is running and it seems to make it easier to replace as it kind of gets sucked right back into place. Then I take a few cups of RODI and heat it just shy of a boil. Again as the skimmer is running I pour that slowly through the opening in the air adjustment valve. The skimmer may overflow very breifly as the water get pulled through the line. That should keep the skimmer clear.
My recommendation:
Check the level as stated above I would start at the 6"-7" range then lower as needed. or vice versa.
Check the air line and venturi and ensure that there is no build up.


Added:
Also remember skimmers are going to put out micro bubbles its what they do. Its why we use bubble traps. I dont have a bubble trap in my sump as its a stock tank. I built up a rock wall around my pump to help keep mirco bubble from getting through. The maintence i described above broght me from some bubbles to a few. Moving the pump and adding the trap of sorts with the rock pretty much eliminated the bubble altogether.