Coralife Skimmer/Micro Bubbles-HELP!!!

precisionmike · 02/25/2006, 09:44 AM

I recently purchased a Coralife 220 for my 55(a month agao. I don't have a sump, so Iam using as HOB. No matter what I do, I still get a bunch of micro bubbles into the tank-can't stand it! Here is what I tried that works the best, but still sucks...
-I have the return box rim .25" above water line; as per instuctions.
-I have the white padding in the bottom of the return box.
-Here is where it gets weird-I took the black foam and positioned it vertically in the return box and have the return water hose shoved between the foam and the return box wall.
This set up is the best I can do.
Anyone know a way to ELIMINATE these micro bubbles, other than move the skimmer to a sump. THANKS in advance for your advice, mike.

rlschne · 02/25/2006, 11:19 AM

ive got the 65 and havent' ever had a problem with micro bubbles in the tank, but just like any other return you could try putting some netting sort of material over the outside of the return box thing and seeing if that cuts down on them any... kind of to diffuse the flow some more, although im not sure why the pads in the box aren't doing it for you....

precisionmike · 02/26/2006, 05:39 AM

Thanks for the response. ...Im still tinkering. mike

RidgeRunner · 02/26/2006, 08:35 AM

The foam that came with the overflow box on my CSS has a hole in it that the return hose fits in. So the foam fits all around the return hose. I did find here that I needed to make sure that the hose was not shoved all the way to the bottom of the foam. I had to leave a little space at the bottom to keep the skimmer working right.

Hope this helps
RidgeRunner

rioratholenm · 02/26/2006, 09:04 AM

I have a 220 on a 55 gal. and the best way i have been able to cure the micro bubbles was done by doing the following.

1. trim the output hose so that the end is in the middle of the bubble box.
2.Replace the bottom white foam with two peices of wet dry foam custom cut to fit the bottom of the box.
3.Make shure the top black foam has the hole at the right end( the hole is punched out more to one side so make shure the output is on the proper side.
4.raise the bubble box all the way up so the water cascades off the sides, plus this makes more water come out the bottom.
5. Raise the top black foam a 1/4 to 1/2 inch out of the bubble box
6. cut a small piece of wet dry foam and shove it between the hole and hose in the black foam.
7.cut a piece of wet dry foam to sit on the top of the black foam.

I hope this helps you if you have any questions please ask,
Gabriel

02/25/2006, 09:44 AM	#1
precisionmike Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saratoga Springs N .Y. Posts: 123	Coralife Skimmer/Micro Bubbles-HELP!!! I recently purchased a Coralife 220 for my 55(a month agao. I don't have a sump, so Iam using as HOB. No matter what I do, I still get a bunch of micro bubbles into the tank-can't stand it! Here is what I tried that works the best, but still sucks... -I have the return box rim .25" above water line; as per instuctions. -I have the white padding in the bottom of the return box. -Here is where it gets weird-I took the black foam and positioned it vertically in the return box and have the return water hose shoved between the foam and the return box wall. This set up is the best I can do. Anyone know a way to ELIMINATE these micro bubbles, other than move the skimmer to a sump. THANKS in advance for your advice, mike.

02/25/2006, 11:19 AM	#2
rlschne Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: AR Posts: 122	ive got the 65 and havent' ever had a problem with micro bubbles in the tank, but just like any other return you could try putting some netting sort of material over the outside of the return box thing and seeing if that cuts down on them any... kind of to diffuse the flow some more, although im not sure why the pads in the box aren't doing it for you....

02/26/2006, 05:39 AM	#3
precisionmike Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saratoga Springs N .Y. Posts: 123	Thanks for the response. ...Im still tinkering. mike

02/26/2006, 08:35 AM	#4
RidgeRunner Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Logan, West Virginia Posts: 36	The foam that came with the overflow box on my CSS has a hole in it that the return hose fits in. So the foam fits all around the return hose. I did find here that I needed to make sure that the hose was not shoved all the way to the bottom of the foam. I had to leave a little space at the bottom to keep the skimmer working right. Hope this helps RidgeRunner

02/26/2006, 09:04 AM	#5
rioratholenm Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 148	I have a 220 on a 55 gal. and the best way i have been able to cure the micro bubbles was done by doing the following. 1. trim the output hose so that the end is in the middle of the bubble box. 2.Replace the bottom white foam with two peices of wet dry foam custom cut to fit the bottom of the box. 3.Make shure the top black foam has the hole at the right end( the hole is punched out more to one side so make shure the output is on the proper side. 4.raise the bubble box all the way up so the water cascades off the sides, plus this makes more water come out the bottom. 5. Raise the top black foam a 1/4 to 1/2 inch out of the bubble box 6. cut a small piece of wet dry foam and shove it between the hole and hose in the black foam. 7.cut a piece of wet dry foam to sit on the top of the black foam. I hope this helps you if you have any questions please ask, Gabriel