microbubbles from remora protein skimmer

[daisy]

Wondering if anybody can give advice on microbubbles coming from a remora hang-on protein skimmer??? (as in, how to get rid of them...) (other than the obvious, replace the skimmer and put it in the sump!)

thanks!

-daisy

 

[chazertis]

is it new? sometimes they go away after the break in period. if not, maybe surface skimmer box?

 

[tosiek]

Make sure the return from the skimmer is submerged. If not then add a piece of plexi to it to get it going right into the water without splashing. Other than that these skimmers always let out bubbles even after beeing broken in. Usually its not like OMG! MICRO-BUBBLES EVERYWHERE! but its enough to make you notice them.

Put this in the sump and you won't notice any bubbles =0)

 

[Deanos]

Try a search for Remora micro bubbles. You'd be surprised at the results.

 

[daisy]

Deanos,

thanks -I'll be putting it in the sump when the sump is connected to the tank, which will hopefully be soon. In the mean time, I"ll put something over the return, which, btw, is submerged....

Thanks!!!

 

[Alexxn]

Good luck with that. Mine has always had bubbles - I called Aqua C and done EVERYTHING they have suggested - pre filter box, putting in more sponge, putting some fiberglass screen material (which they sent me) right at the top of the box where the return is and nothing works. As soon as I setup my sump I have a EuroReef skimmer and the Remora is going bye bye. Never again.

 

[daisy]

I hear you. this was (is) the first protein skimmer i ever bought. the technology seemed right-on to me, but I guess not. I will put it into my sump and when I get a bigger tank (when i get a bigger home....) I will get a better skimmer.

...unless a friend talks me into a better skimmer sooner, which may just happen....

 

[daisy]

It seems to me that the worst thing about the bubbles is that I can't take any nice close-up pix of my tank - the water looks dirty!!!

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

My remora is great. Micro bubbles were only for the break in period for about 5 days then all gone. They sometimes return when I clean the unit but after an hour or so they're gone.
My Cleaning method for it:
Take it out, clean it with hot water and a toothbrush, run it in a bucket mixed with hot water and vinegar then run it with hot water only for 3 more buckets to make sure it's clean then put it on with the collection cup as high as it can go then lower it gradually over the next few days.

 

[daisy]

hmmmm good to know it's working well for you - seeing as how it will be a long time b/4 i replace it...

I cleaned it a few weeks ago before putting it on this tank (which is newly cycled/livestock added) it's been running on this tank for about three weeks, and the bubbles have not let up at all.

i'll try changing the cup height. (i can remember how to do it...)

 

[daisy]

hmmmm good to know it's working well for you - seeing as how it will be a long time b/4 i replace it...

I cleaned it a few weeks ago before putting it on this tank (which is newly cycled/livestock added) it's been running on this tank for about three weeks, and the bubbles have not let up at all.

i'll try changing the cup height. (if i can remember how to do it...)

...yeah - i don't remember. i just tried, and it seems that there's only one setting...

also, the skimmate is greenish/brownish and totally watery. hmmmmmm....

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Is there an O ring going around the outside of the collection cup?

 

[Deanos]

It seems to me that the worst thing about the bubbles is that I can't take any nice close-up pix of my tank - the water looks dirty!!!

:idea: Turn off the skimmer and any powerheads/pumps to take nice close-up pics :shhh:

 

[daisy]

Deanos -- lmao, of course!!!

Brendan - I remember now that there was one there... I wonder what happened to it!!! Hmmmmm... I bet I can order a new one. I'll check on that.

 

[digitalreefer]

The o ring doesn't have to hold any water, so you can wrap a piece of airline tubing around it and tie it with a plastic cable tie... works like a charm. It's cheaper than an o ring and you probably have this stuff laying around.

Credit where credit is due... Brett gave me this tip for my urchin.

 

[daisy]

GREAT idea! And yes, I have lots of this stuff hanging around.

Someone has a sig line that the real reefers are the ones who do water tests -- I'd say they're also the ones who throw NOTHING away!

...what are those suction cups for? beats the heck out of me, but don't throw them away!!! four inches of 1' tubing left over? You never know when you'll need just that much for ......um, something!

 

[tosiek]

the waste is always going to be watery. IMO it cleans for longer before cleaning out the collection cup if its a little on the wet side. Otherwise your getting a SUPER dry buildup on the tube and in the cup and it'll stop skimming in a way. You'll never get that perfect medium.

 

[daisy]

the truth is, there is a dry scum on the inside of the tube leading to the collection cup, and there is more of that scum on the lid to the collection cup as well as on the outside of the tube.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I clean my collection cup every 2 or 3 days with my kids toothbrushes (gives them a little extra protien in their diet :joke

 

[daisy]

OMG! so funny, Brendan!!!

I do have a brush for it... And will use it more often!

dear Lord! Protein!!! I'll be chewing on that visual for way too long