Why is my skimmer creating so many micro bubbles.

[pcmc3]

It has been a long time since I last used a protein skimmer. So I'm in need of a little help, the skimmer is working well pulling junk out but a little wet. What I'm trying to figure out is why the skimmer is pushing out so many micro bubbles. I have a arched a short video of the skimmer. Thank you for help! https://youtu.be/4V23lWZ2MD0">https://youtu.be/4V23lWZ2MD0</a>


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[enderg60]

That happens on a lot of smaller footprint skimmers.

You need a bubble trap of some kind. A sponge will work fine.

 

[pcmc3]

Any additional bubble trap? There is one built into the sump already. Would it work if I placed one around the pvc where the water comes out?


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[aquaworld75]

You sure all those bubbles are coming out of the outlet pipe and not from the pump? How high is the outlet water relative to the water level in sump?


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[pcmc3]

Yes it's all from the outlet and it is sitting about 1.5" under the water.


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[Adam]

That looks pretty excessive to me but I don't have experience with shimmers that small.

 

[pcmc3]

If I where to completely close off the outlet all the white bubble water dissipates.


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[pcmc3]

anit77;1113845 wrote: That looks pretty excessive to me but I don't have experience with shimmers that small.

That's what I was thinking as well. It is a reefdynamic/euro reefer ins80 skimmer.


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[snowmansnow]

that a LOT of bubbles. i agree. the first thing that comes to mind is to lower your water level in the sump then close off the outlet more to keep more of them inside the body. If you have an adjustment on the air intake you can also choke that down some too.

 

[aquaworld75]

pcmc3;1113844 wrote: Yes it's all from the outlet and it is sitting about 1.5" under the water.


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Is there a way to add PVC to the outlet and add a few elbows upwards and then back down to disperse bubbles before they come out?


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[Adam]

Looks like that skimmer was setup to recirculate at one point and it could be plumbed wrong. Here's some results from a quick google search...

 

[pcmc3]

Aquaworld75;1113855 wrote: Is there a way to add PVC to the outlet and add a few elbows upwards and then back down to disperse bubbles before they come out?


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Yeah I can probably manage to add that. Even if this does not work i cant really see it getting worse lol.

 

[pcmc3]

anit77;1113857 wrote: Looks like that skimmer was setup to recirculate at one point and it could be plumbed wrong. Here's some results from a quick google search...

https://www.google.com/search?q=euro+reefer+ins80+skimmer.&oq=euro+reefer+ins80+skimmer.&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=Reef+Dynamics+ins80">https://www.google.com/search?q=euro+reefer+ins80+skimmer.&oq=euro+reefer+ins80+skimmer.&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=Reef+Dynamics+ins80</a>[/QUOTE]

I look at a few of these yesterday but I did not notice until now that in the video/photos it looks like the air line that is going to the pump is just running to the nipple on the return plumbing. So I am going to turn the return plumbing all the way open and go grab some more tubing so I can hook them up and try tuning it with the return only and maybe add a air shut off valve in between the two if that does not work.

Thanks again for the helps guys!