Skimmer Surge

bamf25 · 04/04/2011, 08:51 PM

I have an ATI Bubblemaster 250. I have not been running it full time yet, as I just started my cycle today, so basically it has only been test run. What I notice is on startup, I get a massive amount of foam and a water surge for the first 5 minutes or so, then it calms down some. The problem being, if I ajust for startup surge the foam column is too low after the startup. If I have the level ajusted well for the settled period, when I restart it it fills the skimmer cup with water fairly quicky and I get an overly wet skim.

Is this normal? If so are there ways to compensate for it? Or is it just it is a new tank, and as it cycles etc it will become less?

funkejj · 04/05/2011, 12:50 AM

Well first off a new skimmer needs a few days to break in. Skimmers are meant to run 24/7 no need to turn them off except for cleaning. After a few days you will get it dialed in and wont have any more surges. So for no just start it after the surge period set it where you want it and let it run. After a week you can shut it off and turn back on no more surge. But let it run all of the time.

PRDubois · 04/05/2011, 12:54 AM

+1 it needs to break in

bamf25 · 04/05/2011, 06:22 AM

Even happens with a used skimmer? Apparently it did sit unused for about 1 year, but it had been used before that. The pinwheeles on the pumps are new however.

Chris27 · 04/05/2011, 06:59 AM

It actually sounds about right.....what is happening is the skimmer pump is drawing in a good bit more water then air right at startup causing it to overfill quickly. It should calm down a bit, but in the interim either leave it running, or adjust for a dry skim....don't worry, it's ok to set it low, the bubbles will eventually make it up the column.

bamf25 · 04/05/2011, 07:20 AM

About what level do people set the bubbles for? With no bioload in the tank it is not like anything is there to be pulled out. In other words, once it has settled how far from the top should the bubbles be.

mcoomer · 04/05/2011, 07:48 AM

Since you're just starting your cycle I'd adjust it so that the cup is filling up every three days or so. Once it's running consistently you can adjust that to suit your tanks needs.

Mike

Chris27 · 04/05/2011, 08:11 AM

Set it initially so that the bubbles - not skimate foam - reach the bottom of the collection cup.....adjust it from there.

bamf25 · 04/05/2011, 08:15 AM

The bottom of the cup or the point at which is overflows into the collection area. In my skimmer those are two separate things.

04/04/2011, 08:51 PM	#1
bamf25 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,419	Skimmer Surge I have an ATI Bubblemaster 250. I have not been running it full time yet, as I just started my cycle today, so basically it has only been test run. What I notice is on startup, I get a massive amount of foam and a water surge for the first 5 minutes or so, then it calms down some. The problem being, if I ajust for startup surge the foam column is too low after the startup. If I have the level ajusted well for the settled period, when I restart it it fills the skimmer cup with water fairly quicky and I get an overly wet skim. Is this normal? If so are there ways to compensate for it? Or is it just it is a new tank, and as it cycles etc it will become less?

04/05/2011, 12:54 AM	#3
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	+1 it needs to break in __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

04/05/2011, 06:59 AM	#5
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	It actually sounds about right.....what is happening is the skimmer pump is drawing in a good bit more water then air right at startup causing it to overfill quickly. It should calm down a bit, but in the interim either leave it running, or adjust for a dry skim....don't worry, it's ok to set it low, the bubbles will eventually make it up the column. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

04/05/2011, 07:48 AM	#7
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	Since you're just starting your cycle I'd adjust it so that the cup is filling up every three days or so. Once it's running consistently you can adjust that to suit your tanks needs. Mike __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

04/05/2011, 08:11 AM	#8
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	Set it initially so that the bubbles - not skimate foam - reach the bottom of the collection cup.....adjust it from there. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

04/05/2011, 12:50 AM	#2
funkejj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 747	Well first off a new skimmer needs a few days to break in. Skimmers are meant to run 24/7 no need to turn them off except for cleaning. After a few days you will get it dialed in and wont have any more surges. So for no just start it after the surge period set it where you want it and let it run. After a week you can shut it off and turn back on no more surge. But let it run all of the time.

04/05/2011, 06:22 AM	#4
bamf25 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,419	Even happens with a used skimmer? Apparently it did sit unused for about 1 year, but it had been used before that. The pinwheeles on the pumps are new however.

04/05/2011, 07:20 AM	#6
bamf25 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,419	About what level do people set the bubbles for? With no bioload in the tank it is not like anything is there to be pulled out. In other words, once it has settled how far from the top should the bubbles be.

04/05/2011, 08:15 AM	#9
bamf25 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,419	The bottom of the cup or the point at which is overflows into the collection area. In my skimmer those are two separate things.

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