SRO 5000ext

[garyw68]

I posted the below post yesterday in the sponsor forums under coralvue and haven't had any responses... so I thought I might try here.

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I just received this skimmer last Thursday. I finally got around to setting it up today and took it outside to test. As you can see in the pic... there are hardly any bubble generated from the bubble blaster pump. I know this is not normal but I am wondering if it is because I am running fresh water thru it instead of salt. It doesn't seem to have the power that I thought it would have either. I currently have a XP3000int cone skimmer and that pump runs like a race horse. Also... the eheim 1260 pump that I am using as my feed has a 1/2 outlet. So I went ahead and downsized the input to the skimmer to 1/2 as well. I also downsized the output to 1inch. Will this effect performance in anyway? thanks.

[Gugs Jr]

Well two things.

You do need saltwater since it does react different with a protein skimmer which is why you don't see them on freshwater tanks ( i know some people do use them or have tried it)

You also need something for the skimmer to skim for it to properly work.

You're better off putting it in your sump and adjusting the microbubbles to start at the first black ring.

After it breaks in usually a couple of days you can adjust it to the proper skim level for you tank.

Make sure to look at the coralvue sight to see what the prefered water height is recommended.

[garyw68]

But shouldn't I see a lot more action than what I'm seeing now... Even though it's freshwater?

[Gugs Jr]

I never put a skimmer into a fresh water setup so don't know.

Just put it into your saltwater setup and see what halogens.

[garyw68]

Originally Posted by Gugs Jr

I never put a skimmer into a fresh water setup so don't know.

Just put it into your saltwater setup and see what halogens.

I would rather not. If I did... I would need to take out my existing skimmer (which is a royal pain)... Make saltwater... I still need to drill some holes for the 5000ext and set it up. It's not that I'm lazy... Well kinda... I would just hate to go thru all that just to find out I have a bad pump. If I do have a lemon... I would need to rip out the 5000ext and drain it... Then put back my old skimmer. I would rather know before hand that the bubble blaster pump is bad so I can replace it before doing all that.

[Gugs Jr]

Make a small batch of saltwater add some melafix or something that makes skimmers go crazy (give it something to try and skim out). See what happens.

[lhm nole]

Pump is fine ... Thats what it look like running freshwater through it

[sacalaitman]

I agree. A skimmer in freshwater will not produce micro bubbles at all.

[garyw68]

Cool... Thanks

[david_lee]

Or you can put some vinegar in freshwater and it'll foam up..

[dunk373]

i did the same thing with my skimmer no small bubbles at all in freshwater I was like wth this thing sucks! once I put it in saltwater everything is fine. I just got another skimmer for another setup and did the same thing again forgot that it won't work in fresh. that thing will produce gobs of bubbles.

[garyw68]

Gents.... You all are right. Just finished installing that beast and it is producing tons of micro bubbles... Blows the 3000int away. Now I just need to sit back and watch it break in. Thanks everyone!!!

[Gugs Jr]

glad its working out