Tons of micro bubbles from protein skimmer

AtlCpa · 09/05/2016, 06:14 PM

Reef octopus 110. It's not new, bought it used, but looks like new.

When I first set up the tank, it seemed to work fine. A couple weeks later, I
Can't get anything about it right. I've raised to the recommended depth, played
With the intake, etc and it produces massive amounts of micro bubbles so I just turn it off.

LFS said clean it and if that doesn't work they would take a look at it for me. I cleaned the heck out of it and didn't help at all.
I'm assuming they are going to charge me for something probably pretty basic.

Couldn't it only be a problem with the pump? Maybe just a bad impeller, but whatever it is something is wrong with the massive amount of bubbles.

I'm wondering if I can just replace the pump and forgo the hassle of trying to replace a part, trying the LFS and who knows how much they will charge me, etc.

Ztous · 09/05/2016, 06:46 PM

Is it just overflowing the cup non stop? Bubbles are in the return or what? They do function by using micro bubbles to lift organic matter to the surface.

Dkuhlmann · 09/05/2016, 07:55 PM

Producing lots of micro bubbles is a good thing that they're supposed to do. I don't understand your problem unless the bubbles are outside of the skimmer. Can you post a picture or even a video?

AtlCpa · 09/06/2016, 04:27 AM

Yes, they are outside the skimmer, coming out of the return. I'll try to post a vid later today.

It ends up filing my main tank with micro bubbles

A sea K · 09/06/2016, 05:12 AM

Is the pump the original? If the pump has been replaced (with something larger) it may simply be overpowering what the body can handle and releasing microbubbles.
I run this skimmer on my 30gal and have no issues with it at all. I couldnt get mine to exhaust microbubbles even if I tried, I even pulled the exhaust pipe out of the skimmer and it still wont release any bubbles.

AtlCpa · 09/06/2016, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A sea K

Is the pump the original? If the pump has been replaced (with something larger) it may simply be overpowering what the body can handle and releasing microbubbles.
I run this skimmer on my 30gal and have no issues with it at all. I couldnt get mine to exhaust microbubbles even if I tried, I even pulled the exhaust pipe out of the skimmer and it still wont release any bubbles.

I believe it is the original aquatrance pump, but I will double check.

One thing I didn't do is remove and clean the impeller. I would think that's likely the problem. There isn't much that could go wrong in the actual skimmer is there? Seems like there's not much to it.

Seems like the pump is filling the skimmer with bubbles right from the get go.

scooter31707 · 09/06/2016, 06:31 AM

Is the skimmer at the correct water level that the manufacture recommends. Usually skimmers operates efficiency around 6-9 inches of water.

Denbf58 · 09/06/2016, 07:27 AM

are you dosing carbon or any thing some time it can cause micro bubbles have you tried turning down the
tuning of the skimmer run it less wet.you can also try some filter pads before the return.

A sea K · 09/06/2016, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter31707

Is the skimmer at the correct water level that the manufacture recommends. Usually skimmers operates efficiency around 6-9 inches of water.

This could certainly cause problems if it is too deep. FWIW I have mine sitting in 5-3/4" of water. OP, how deep is the skimmer currently sitting?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denbf58

are you dosing carbon or any thing some time it can cause micro bubbles have you tried turning down the
tuning of the skimmer run it less wet.you can also try some filter pads before the return.

And other things as well, fresh filter socks, epoxy for fixing corals to the rocks, additives and medications can all cause these problems.

mcgyvr · 09/06/2016, 08:11 AM

Its also fairly normal for a skimmer to produce excessive micro bubbles during break in/after cleaning,etc.... Could be for up to a week or 2..

Bubbles could also be coming from other things too..

Typically you have baffles in your sump to cause those bubbles to "pop" before making it to the return pump.. But your return plumbing could have a slight air leak or water falling into the return pump section can be sucked up by the pump and produce bubbles,etc..
water height,etc.. can all contribute to it.. A piece of foam on the outlet of the skimmer can help too but that requires maintenance to clean it periodically..

Jah2707 · 09/06/2016, 09:18 AM

I fought microbubbles from my skimmer for the first 2 months. Then out of no where it just quit. I feel part of my issue with water level but the main problem for me was I was adding frags or replacing them in the rock work and I was using different glues. Now I know that each time I use some type of glue to attach frags that I will have microbubble issues.

JMorris271 · 09/06/2016, 10:24 AM

Do you have organics in the water yet?
Too much air and no Docs will cause micro bubbles.

AtlCpa · 09/06/2016, 11:54 AM

pictures may be difficult to see, but hopefully you can see the bubbles coming out of the return. Also, the entire skimmers if loaded with bubbles as if they are coming in straight from the pump.

Ztous · 09/06/2016, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtlCpa

pictures may be difficult to see, but hopefully you can see the bubbles coming out of the return. Also, the entire skimmers if loaded with bubbles as if they are coming in straight from the pump.

They are coming from the pump someone went through a lot of trouble designing it to make as many bubbles as possible. Have you seen a skimmer run before in person? You shouldn't have a ton of bubbles in your return but you will have some most people run a bubble trap to stop them getting to the return pump and into the display.

AtlCpa · 09/06/2016, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ztous

They are coming from the pump someone went through a lot of trouble designing it to make as many bubbles as possible. Have you seen a skimmer run before in person? You shouldn't have a ton of bubbles in your return but you will have some most people run a bubble trap to stop them getting to the return pump and into the display.

no, I really haven't seen a skimmer run in person and thus why this question is in the new to the hobby section.

The LFS said if there are bubbles coming out of the return then something is probably wrong. I watched a BRS youtube video on skimmers and the water in their sump looks crystal clear while the sump is running. Main looks like my 8 year old's bubble bath.

A sea K · 09/07/2016, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtlCpa

pictures may be difficult to see, but hopefully you can see the bubbles coming out of the return. Also, the entire skimmers if loaded with bubbles as if they are coming in straight from the pump.

Your skimmer is too deep in the water. Build a stand and raise the skimmer so it's sitting in about 6" of water. By the picture I'd say it is currently about 9" or maybe a little more even.
It also looks like there may be something going on with the water itself, there are far too many surface bubbles floating in the sump IMO.

Build a stand first and then lets see how it responds.

AtlCpa · 09/07/2016, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A sea K

Your skimmer is too deep in the water. Build a stand and raise the skimmer so it's sitting in about 6" of water. By the picture I'd say it is currently about 9" or maybe a little more even.
It also looks like there may be something going on with the water itself, there are far too many surface bubbles floating in the sump IMO.

Build a stand first and then lets see how it responds.

I think that's it. I raised a couple times already, but not enough. When I hold it higher up, it works much better.

AtlCpa · 09/07/2016, 06:01 AM

Thanks for the help everyone. I thought I had addressed the height of the water issue, but apparently not.

09/05/2016, 06:14 PM	#1
AtlCpa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 21	Tons of micro bubbles from protein skimmer Reef octopus 110. It's not new, bought it used, but looks like new. When I first set up the tank, it seemed to work fine. A couple weeks later, I Can't get anything about it right. I've raised to the recommended depth, played With the intake, etc and it produces massive amounts of micro bubbles so I just turn it off. LFS said clean it and if that doesn't work they would take a look at it for me. I cleaned the heck out of it and didn't help at all. I'm assuming they are going to charge me for something probably pretty basic. Couldn't it only be a problem with the pump? Maybe just a bad impeller, but whatever it is something is wrong with the massive amount of bubbles. I'm wondering if I can just replace the pump and forgo the hassle of trying to replace a part, trying the LFS and who knows how much they will charge me, etc.

09/05/2016, 07:55 PM	#3
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	Producing lots of micro bubbles is a good thing that they're supposed to do. I don't understand your problem unless the bubbles are outside of the skimmer. Can you post a picture or even a video? __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

09/06/2016, 05:12 AM	#5
A sea K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Branford Fl Posts: 3,024	Is the pump the original? If the pump has been replaced (with something larger) it may simply be overpowering what the body can handle and releasing microbubbles. I run this skimmer on my 30gal and have no issues with it at all. I couldnt get mine to exhaust microbubbles even if I tried, I even pulled the exhaust pipe out of the skimmer and it still wont release any bubbles. __________________ I am not a pro so excuse me if I'm wrong. Current Tank Info: 30gal Deep Blue rimless 9/10/2014, 80gal Deep Blue rimless 40gal sump/refugium 9/11/16 LPS reef, 2 x Kessil A160 with a single Maxspect Razor, RO Prime 150INT skimmer, Sicce 3 return pump, Vortech MP40 and MP10

09/06/2016, 07:27 AM	#8
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	are you dosing carbon or any thing some time it can cause micro bubbles have you tried turning down the tuning of the skimmer run it less wet.you can also try some filter pads before the return. __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

09/06/2016, 08:11 AM	#10
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Its also fairly normal for a skimmer to produce excessive micro bubbles during break in/after cleaning,etc.... Could be for up to a week or 2.. Bubbles could also be coming from other things too.. Typically you have baffles in your sump to cause those bubbles to "pop" before making it to the return pump.. But your return plumbing could have a slight air leak or water falling into the return pump section can be sucked up by the pump and produce bubbles,etc.. water height,etc.. can all contribute to it.. A piece of foam on the outlet of the skimmer can help too but that requires maintenance to clean it periodically.. __________________ Who me?

09/05/2016, 06:46 PM	#2
Ztous Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 220	Is it just overflowing the cup non stop? Bubbles are in the return or what? They do function by using micro bubbles to lift organic matter to the surface.

09/06/2016, 04:27 AM	#4
AtlCpa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 21	Yes, they are outside the skimmer, coming out of the return. I'll try to post a vid later today. It ends up filing my main tank with micro bubbles

09/06/2016, 06:31 AM	#7
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	Is the skimmer at the correct water level that the manufacture recommends. Usually skimmers operates efficiency around 6-9 inches of water.

09/06/2016, 09:18 AM	#11
Jah2707 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: springfield Posts: 889	I fought microbubbles from my skimmer for the first 2 months. Then out of no where it just quit. I feel part of my issue with water level but the main problem for me was I was adding frags or replacing them in the rock work and I was using different glues. Now I know that each time I use some type of glue to attach frags that I will have microbubble issues. __________________ 24x24x18 cube tank - set up 4/18/16 (from established tank) led, Jebao RW-4s, Eshopps 20 sump. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2575082 Current Tank Info: 24x24x18 cube

09/06/2016, 10:24 AM	#12
JMorris271 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Foothills of SC Posts: 2,010	Do you have organics in the water yet? Too much air and no Docs will cause micro bubbles. __________________ 120 gal mixed tank. Lightly stocked now but....

09/07/2016, 06:01 AM	#18
AtlCpa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 21	Thanks for the help everyone. I thought I had addressed the height of the water issue, but apparently not.