Skimmer and fresh water

chrismhaase · 04/10/2007, 07:25 PM

Alright I know this is a really really dumb question and I think I already know the answer, but if you do a skimmer test and are trying it out in freshwater, ie the sink, why arent there any bubbles?

I think the answer is that you need the salt water to make the micro bubbles. Right?

Thanks, Chris

skippy2 · 04/10/2007, 07:30 PM

There are no dumb questions. You are right, you need the saltwater.

chrismhaase · 04/10/2007, 07:33 PM

thanks skippy, I appreciate your help. I knew that was the right answer, but I wanted to try my new pump and almost lost it for a minute, then the light bulb went on. Then I figured I should verify on the reef bible aka reef central.

Thanks peggy.

shag26272 · 04/10/2007, 07:40 PM

Ive heard of people using vinegar to make the bubbles not sure if you can dilute it with water or not, maybe someone will chime in that knows

chrismhaase · 04/10/2007, 07:58 PM

Thanks shag. I remember seeing that somewhere also, but I dont have any here at the house. O well.

poppin_fresh · 04/10/2007, 08:09 PM

I think using old tank water is the best. It will allow for bubbles and will help the skimmer to break in. Its the best of both worlds! You get a water change and break in the skimmer.

skippy2 · 04/10/2007, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrismhaase
Thanks shag. I remember seeing that somewhere also, but I dont have any here at the house. O well.

Start stocking up on vinegar

Vinegar is also great for cleaning powerheads, skimmers and the outside of your tank.

chrismhaase · 04/10/2007, 08:32 PM

The problem or answer to both your questions is I am in between tanks and the reason why I don't have vinegar is I was cleaning another one and went overboard. By the way what is a good cleaning ratio of vinegar to water?

drummereef · 04/10/2007, 08:54 PM

I usually use a 50/50 solution. Sometimes I just use 100% vinegar, just depends.

Konadog · 04/10/2007, 10:02 PM

Vinegar is used to cut thru the chemicals left behind during the building process. By cleaning out these chemicals, it helps the break in time needed to get the skimmer skimming.

coast2coast7390 · 04/10/2007, 11:17 PM

i saw someone use dish soap once...it was interesting the bubbles were coming out the top...im not saying to do this...i just wanted to add this little comment

chrismhaase · 04/11/2007, 05:43 AM

Yeah I think I will skip the soap. What happened to the guy's tank? Death?

Paintbug · 04/11/2007, 05:52 AM

you dont want to use soap on anything for a fish tank.

the reason you dont get bubbles with FW like you do with dirty SW is when fish and inverts poo, it dissolves into the water column. these proteins are what trap the air and form the bubbles.

coast2coast7390 · 04/11/2007, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrismhaase
Yeah I think I will skip the soap. What happened to the guy's tank? Death?

he was just testing in his sink

04/10/2007, 07:25 PM	#1
chrismhaase Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,490	Skimmer and fresh water Alright I know this is a really really dumb question and I think I already know the answer, but if you do a skimmer test and are trying it out in freshwater, ie the sink, why arent there any bubbles? I think the answer is that you need the salt water to make the micro bubbles. Right? Thanks, Chris

04/10/2007, 07:30 PM	#2
skippy2 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 3,205	There are no dumb questions. You are right, you need the saltwater. __________________ Peggy Current Tank Info: no tank

04/10/2007, 07:40 PM	#4
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	Ive heard of people using vinegar to make the bubbles not sure if you can dilute it with water or not, maybe someone will chime in that knows __________________ .

04/10/2007, 08:09 PM	#6
poppin_fresh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,982	I think using old tank water is the best. It will allow for bubbles and will help the skimmer to break in. Its the best of both worlds! You get a water change and break in the skimmer. __________________ PBITAWA! Current Tank Info: None now. Past- 180g w/ 100g basement sump and 20g 'fuge. H & S skimmer, T'5s & Tunze

04/10/2007, 08:54 PM	#9
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	I usually use a 50/50 solution. Sometimes I just use 100% vinegar, just depends. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/10/2007, 07:33 PM	#3
chrismhaase Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,490	thanks skippy, I appreciate your help. I knew that was the right answer, but I wanted to try my new pump and almost lost it for a minute, then the light bulb went on. Then I figured I should verify on the reef bible aka reef central. Thanks peggy.

04/10/2007, 07:58 PM	#5
chrismhaase Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,490	Thanks shag. I remember seeing that somewhere also, but I dont have any here at the house. O well.

04/10/2007, 08:32 PM	#8
chrismhaase Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,490	The problem or answer to both your questions is I am in between tanks and the reason why I don't have vinegar is I was cleaning another one and went overboard. By the way what is a good cleaning ratio of vinegar to water?

04/10/2007, 10:02 PM	#10
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	Vinegar is used to cut thru the chemicals left behind during the building process. By cleaning out these chemicals, it helps the break in time needed to get the skimmer skimming. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

04/10/2007, 11:17 PM	#11
coast2coast7390 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Garden Grove Posts: 3,627	i saw someone use dish soap once...it was interesting the bubbles were coming out the top...im not saying to do this...i just wanted to add this little comment

04/11/2007, 05:43 AM	#12
chrismhaase Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,490	Yeah I think I will skip the soap. What happened to the guy's tank? Death?

04/11/2007, 05:52 AM	#13
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	you dont want to use soap on anything for a fish tank. the reason you dont get bubbles with FW like you do with dirty SW is when fish and inverts poo, it dissolves into the water column. these proteins are what trap the air and form the bubbles. __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently