saphire bc29 Pskimmer installed Problem (1 Viewer)

[gmod]

Just put this in yesterday and now my tank is full of micro bubbles. I followed the directions from sapphire to keep it adjusted all the way down for 1 weeks before adjusting the gate...I cant stand these micro bubbles iam now getting...will these go away or is there something wrong...I can see the bubbles being moved to the 3rd chamber in biocube 29g..

I have a MJ 1200 pump in chamber 3....Thanks for the help...I also have the InTake filter from scottie...just installed this today...

 

[flexrac]

best bet is to contact kyle at sapphire. sure he can help you. after all he built it.

 

[jdeveaux]

Most new skimmers will throw micro bubbles for a few days. It took about a week for the dang things to clear up when I put a new skimmer on my large reef.

No rhyme or reason. The oils and residual chemicals from the build process just need to flush out. I've read that sometimes if you run a skimmer in a tub of vinegar then rinse with fresh water it will break in faster... I've never tried it though.

 

[flexrac]

good advice. fogot to mention that.

 

[gmod]

thanks guys...I did some searching and a lot of people complain about the microfine bubbles witht the sapphire skimmer...I put some poly filter floss in the the return from the skimmer seems to have helped a little..I also replaced the sponge in compartment 3 with 2 pieces of filter floss too...bubbles still appear but are drastically decreased....

 

[flexrac]

you will get complaints about every skimmer, specially from newbies. the key is the break-in period and with some skimmers, a little tweaking as you have done.
always best to have the skimmer in a sump, but i know that's not always an option. should you add a sump, you can still use the skimmer, just transfer it to the sump, then no more bubbles.

I can honestly say i feel your fustration, i had the same issues when i started out with my 55 and a coralife hang-on skimmer. but a few tweaks and it was all good.

 

[jdeveaux]

+1 to tuning in the skimmer. You could have 10 tanks each with the same skimmer and depending on bio-load, chemicals being dosed, salt used for making the water, and top-off water source each tank could react completely different. Once you dial it in to your tank you will be very pleased.

Since I don't have a BC29 I do have one question is the MJ1200 stronger than the factory pump? If so the micro-bubbles could also be due to the greater flow through the back section of your tank. The skimmers are tuned to the factory pumps.

 

[Timanator]

After everything slimes over, the micro bubbles will go away. It took a few days on mine.

 

[gmod]

Ok i will give it some time to break in...ive started to get some brown in the cup but its like liquid...Do i need to close the gate some more...thanks again for the help

And yes the mj1200 is about 60g per hr faster

 

[dreamersdisease]

Your water level might be too low as well. It needs to be at the top of the viewing window on the side, above the maximum level indicator.

 

[goby1kanobi]

Good point on the water level. My 24 gal BC goes thru 1/2 gal. evaporation a day.
I am always amazed how low it is.

 

[gmod]

Well its been over a week now with the Sapphire Skimmer installed and with many adjustments Iam still getting the ugly bubbles in my Display...I Now have it turned off....Personally i really dont think this skimmer was thought our very well...And debating to take it out and replace it with Stevies Fuge basket.....

Iam thinking with my 10g water change Practice every week I really dont need a skimmer anyway...Any opinions would be greatly appreciated...

 

[goby1kanobi]

Maybe, the skimmer you have is not functioning properly maybe it has a flaw?
I disagree with a blanket statement like......

.Personally i really don't think this skimmer was thought out very well...

Consult with Kyle and he will either tell you what is wrong with the skimmer or what is wrong with other parameters.
Kyle (Sapphire Aquatics) is a real pro...I have watched this skimmer evolve in many facets in the last 3 years. Show him what you are having a problem with, 1 week is nothing in the realm of SWF and skimmers.
My 0.02.

 

[gmod]

Well its to late...it out of the tank...And my weekly water changes will make me not miss it....

 

[goby1kanobi]

I have a 24 Nanocube. It has been 2 years now.
I started with weekly water changes of 10 gallons.
I'm not trying to convince you to use the skimmer LMK how you feel about weekly water changes in 3 years

 

[gmod]

not really that big a deal to me...i dont do a lot so its not like i dont have the time on my hands to do so..