Euro Reef skimmer micro bubbles

LindaQ · 04/30/2007, 06:53 AM

I've been using a new Euro reef 135 for about 2 weeks and I'm having a problem with micro bubbles. Especially after I feed the tank.

I know the foam drops after feeding or if I put my hand in there, but should it produce so many micro bubbles for so long.

The air intake is open all the way, & the water level valve is almost closed. The water level in the skimmer is about half way up the neck.

What do I need to do to fix this problem ? Thanks for any help.

LindaQ · 04/30/2007, 03:23 PM

I wasn't clear on the micro bubbles, sorry. They're pumped into the tank . . Is it normal to have tiny bubbles in the tank after the skimmer starts working again?

I've never had this problem with other skimmers, so what am I doing wrong?

CarlosS · 04/30/2007, 03:34 PM

That's so weird.

Are you adding another compound to the tank? Calcium, Buffer, phito, zooplackton, trace, etc? Just food?

LindaQ · 04/30/2007, 04:00 PM

No, I rinse the food in ro water. I'm not adding anything else when this happens.

JTEAGUE · 04/30/2007, 04:15 PM

Describe your sump and the way you set up the baffles or filter socks to catch these bubbles. If it is just a plain sump no baffles you will get bubbles with any skimmer. Also it may take a few days to fully break in.

LindaQ · 04/30/2007, 04:40 PM

Half the water drains into a filter sock ,in the sump ,there's a baffle separating the sock from the return pump where the skimmer is. The other half drain through a refugium then into the the sump . The return pump & skimmer drain are as far apart as I can make them.

The bubbles are only happening after feeding. How long does a Euro reef skimmer take to break in? I know they can be "sensitive" .

CarlosS · 04/30/2007, 05:56 PM

Which kind of food are you using?

Sarcophyton874 · 04/30/2007, 06:09 PM

It is common for a skimmer to do that. On my Bermuda skimmer I just put a small filter sock on the exhaust tube. Problem solved lol.

LindaQ · 04/30/2007, 06:10 PM

Frozen food . I had an aqua medic skimmer before & didn't have this problem. So I'm thinking it's skimmer adjustments, not necessarily the food.

LindaQ · 04/30/2007, 06:12 PM

That's worth a try. Thanks

JTEAGUE · 04/30/2007, 08:12 PM

Look at Melevsreef.com especially the sump section. He talks in depth about bubble traps and micro bubbles. I had this problem with a new return pump. It drove me crazy for three weeks and then just went away. It still makes me mad to think about it.

LindaQ · 04/30/2007, 08:32 PM

Thanks , I'll check it out . I appreciate all the help

04/30/2007, 06:53 AM	#1
LindaQ Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida Posts: 60	Euro Reef skimmer micro bubbles I've been using a new Euro reef 135 for about 2 weeks and I'm having a problem with micro bubbles. Especially after I feed the tank. I know the foam drops after feeding or if I put my hand in there, but should it produce so many micro bubbles for so long. The air intake is open all the way, & the water level valve is almost closed. The water level in the skimmer is about half way up the neck. What do I need to do to fix this problem ? Thanks for any help.

04/30/2007, 03:23 PM	#2
LindaQ Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida Posts: 60	Help I'm drowning in bubbles I wasn't clear on the micro bubbles, sorry. They're pumped into the tank . . Is it normal to have tiny bubbles in the tank after the skimmer starts working again? I've never had this problem with other skimmers, so what am I doing wrong?

04/30/2007, 03:34 PM	#3
CarlosS Fighting in Venezuela Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 247	That's so weird. Are you adding another compound to the tank? Calcium, Buffer, phito, zooplackton, trace, etc? Just food? __________________ Regards, Carlos Salas Current Tank Info: Reef, 287g total system, Bare Bottom, Hammerhead w/Oceansmotions in CL, (2) MH 400W 12000K + 14 Leds RB cree 3w, Reeflo Orca 200 Pro. Reef Crystals, Geo 624 Calcium Reactor, Kent Marine RO/DI, Apex full, SPS dominated

04/30/2007, 05:56 PM	#7
CarlosS Fighting in Venezuela Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 247	Which kind of food are you using? __________________ Regards, Carlos Salas Current Tank Info: Reef, 287g total system, Bare Bottom, Hammerhead w/Oceansmotions in CL, (2) MH 400W 12000K + 14 Leds RB cree 3w, Reeflo Orca 200 Pro. Reef Crystals, Geo 624 Calcium Reactor, Kent Marine RO/DI, Apex full, SPS dominated

04/30/2007, 04:00 PM	#4
LindaQ Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida Posts: 60	No, I rinse the food in ro water. I'm not adding anything else when this happens.

04/30/2007, 04:15 PM	#5
JTEAGUE Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: N.C. Posts: 318	Describe your sump and the way you set up the baffles or filter socks to catch these bubbles. If it is just a plain sump no baffles you will get bubbles with any skimmer. Also it may take a few days to fully break in.

04/30/2007, 04:40 PM	#6
LindaQ Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida Posts: 60	Half the water drains into a filter sock ,in the sump ,there's a baffle separating the sock from the return pump where the skimmer is. The other half drain through a refugium then into the the sump . The return pump & skimmer drain are as far apart as I can make them. The bubbles are only happening after feeding. How long does a Euro reef skimmer take to break in? I know they can be "sensitive" .

04/30/2007, 06:09 PM	#8
Sarcophyton874 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 215	It is common for a skimmer to do that. On my Bermuda skimmer I just put a small filter sock on the exhaust tube. Problem solved lol.

04/30/2007, 06:10 PM	#9
LindaQ Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida Posts: 60	Frozen food . I had an aqua medic skimmer before & didn't have this problem. So I'm thinking it's skimmer adjustments, not necessarily the food.

04/30/2007, 06:12 PM	#10
LindaQ Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida Posts: 60	That's worth a try. Thanks

04/30/2007, 08:12 PM	#11
JTEAGUE Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: N.C. Posts: 318	Look at Melevsreef.com especially the sump section. He talks in depth about bubble traps and micro bubbles. I had this problem with a new return pump. It drove me crazy for three weeks and then just went away. It still makes me mad to think about it.

04/30/2007, 08:32 PM	#12
LindaQ Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida Posts: 60	Thanks , I'll check it out . I appreciate all the help