Just bought a protien skimmer.. question.

[sepulcherx]

At the bottom allot of bubbles are comming out. THere are two ways to adjust my skimmer.

(1) the amount of air flow
(2) the amount of water flow

Shoudl I have more air flow and less water flow?
Or more water flow and less air flow?

I need to find the best way to set this up so i have the least amount of bubbles leaking back into the tank.


Thanks,

- larry

 

[Anonymous]

A lot of skimmers have a break in period where they give of more bubbles than normal, at least that has been my experience with a new skimmer and what I have heard from others.

I don't know what to say about which variable to adjust, I think the best way to go about it is to fire the thing up and just experiment with manipulating the air and water volume until you get it right.

Or if you post the brand of skimmer you have maybe someone here has that model and can give you specific tips.

 

[damonbrodie]

Some more details would be good. Is the skimmer a HOB or is it in your sump? What brand/model is it?

 

[Mihai]

My logic dictates more air and less water (maximize the air and whatever water you get is OK). But I'm sure you'll hear different oppinions .

M.

 

[Anonymous]

I recently read a few articles (one on reefkeeping.com) that debunked the myth of how air bubbles are dangerous to corals. I always thought that sounded silly, and hey, it is!

The air bubbles are all good man!

 

[sepulcherx]

I recently read a few articles (one on reefkeeping.com) that debunked the myth of how air bubbles are dangerous to corals. I always thought that sounded silly, and hey, it is!

The air bubbles are all good man!

I heard that the bubbles in a saltwater tank caused unwanted salt creep. Someone correct me if im wrong

 

[Anonymous]

I never heard that. Is your tank open at the top? Cords and other stuff sticking out of the water's surface seem to mostly cause the creep, for me at least. Maybe when someone was telling you that they were really talking about surface agitation and spray from the a powerhead or something?

here is that article I was telling you about. look for point 14 abotu micro bubbles.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-01/eb/

 

[Anonymous]

I can't stand bubbles in the tank just from an aesthetic point of view.

 

[Anonymous]

Do you think that because you really think that or do you think that because, like me, you accepted the trend when you got into reefing? I sat back the other day and considered the bubbles. There's a lot to like about them from a purely aesthetic point of view.

1. You can clearly see the water current pattern and intensity in your aquarium by watching the bubbles.
2. They add a little more visual depth to the negative space in an aquarium (by pinpointing locations at a variety of positions, your mind better understands the space inside your aquarium, even if at a subconscious level).
3. They are shiny. What's not to love about that?
4. They can add movement and action to a visually serene tank (if you want action).

Anyhow, not trying to say what you should think, I just like debunking myths and wanna hop on this bandwagon!

 

[Tackett]

everyones allowed there opinion dude let the lady be and leave it at that.

 

[Baianotang]

What skimmers is it?

 

[Anonymous]

? was I being jerkface? didn't mean to!

 

[Anonymous]

3. They are shiny. What's not to love about that?

LOL I do love shiny things!

Now that I think about it, one of my big pet peeves is how hard it is to take a decent picture of the tank with bubbles everywhere. My pics come out with white streaks all over them from bubbles zooming through the shot. YES< I do have a cheap camera, but I blame the damn bubbles.

You would be amazed how long it takes for microbubbles to disperse too once you turn of the offending item that was introducing the bubbles.

I also don't like how if you have a microbubble problem, you must keep your glass squeeky clean, or, bubbles stick to the algae and you really can't see.

Count me in the confirmed bubble hater group, I am much happier now that I have a sump in the basement ans less bubbles make thier way into the tank. Microbubbles + metal halide light = water that looks dirty, full of particles.

 

[Anonymous]

? was I being jerkface? didn't mean to!

I didn't think you were being a jerkface Hwarang, but bubbles in the tank STILL SUCK!

 

[Anonymous]

Now that I think about it, one of my big pet peeves is how hard it is to take a decent picture of the tank with bubbles everywhere.

You know, that's a very good point I have never considered. I think that reason alone trumps everything else, at least in my book!

ps I really like your avatar that illustrates that special number. Is that why you chose it?

 

[Anonymous]

ps I really like your avatar that illustrates that special number. Is that why you chose it?

You know, I never even thought about that.

I choose it because:

1- it is one of the few halfway decent pics I have ever taken, and

2- it was a glorious coral I had that died during my sandbed death episode, alas, I thought it was totally dead when I made that avater from an old pic, kind of a tribute LOL. I have since had a little smidgen of the cap ressurrect itself from really nothing, I now have a quarter sized piece.

LOL, sure have gotten this thread off track. sepulcherx you need to tell us what kind of skimmer you have.

 

[tangir1]

Some of the photo of reef tank were taken with the pump off for a few minutes.... so little or no bubble is present.

 

[DaisyPolyp]

I personally like the bubbles (makes me thing of surf crashing on a coral reef), but I had problems with salt creep, so I made them go away.

 

[sepulcherx]

OMG thanks for the thread jacking guys ; D

Anyways, the skimmer i have is the VISI-JET-PS® protein skimmer.
Yes flame away, its cheap, and i know it sucks. But give me the advice anywayz haha.

Thanks guys,

- larry

 

[ChrisV]

Hmmm that wont do much skimming im afraid, get AquaC hang on or somthing.