Micro bubbles

Aug 09, 2016

Thomas Hume wrote

I have had my new Classic 1000 HOB skimmer running for a few days and it is producing a tremendous amount of Micro bubbles in the discharge.
I have watched several videos and noticed that most are not generating the bubbles that mine is in the discharge column that mine is.
I don't have any air leaks and it was primed just as the video instructed.
Please help.

10 Answers

Aug 09, 2016

Carlos agent wrote

Your skimmer is breaking in. It takes at least 3 weeks for a skimmer to break in. During this period, micro bubbles are normal and will diminish as the skimmer gets used. You can help the process by running fresh activated carbon.

Aug 09, 2016

Thomas Hume wrote

Where do you place the carbon and how much?

Aug 09, 2016

Thomas Hume wrote

Where do you place the carbon and how much?

Aug 09, 2016

Carlos agent wrote

Do not place the carbon inside the skimmer. Place it in an area of high flow. In terms of how much, depends on your system. It can range from 1/2 cup to a full cup.

Aug 09, 2016

Thomas Hume wrote

Could you please explain what you mean by a high flow area?

I have a 55 gallon tank.

Aug 09, 2016

Carlos agent wrote

Find a location in your tank where there is a lot of flow and put the carbon bag there. The more flow runs through the carbon bag, the more efficient the carbon will be.

Aug 09, 2016

Thomas Hume wrote

I have a normal filter running with carbon in it already. I am not sure what you mean by putting a bag of carbon in my tank. I am also not sure how that is going to help with the excess micro bubble problem.

I also still don't understand what you mean by a high flow area of my tank I am not running a sump.

Aug 09, 2016

Carlos agent wrote

If you have a normal filter with carbon then you are fine. Just make sure that the carbon is fresh and not weeks old. Carbon usually becomes exhausted and starts to release elements back into the water as it gets old. It is better to remove all carbon and not have any carbon at all than to leave all carbon there.

Carbon will help remove any chemicals that may be contributing to the production of micro bubbles.

Aug 09, 2016

Thomas Hume wrote

Well I just did a large water change and new filter carbon when I installed the skimmer. I also watched videos online of new skimmers a few days in and the outgoing water column is clear where mone has microom bubbles and also the inlet side on those skimmers are clear with the bubble layer on top.

Aug 09, 2016

Carlos agent wrote

Yes, but your skimmer is still new so it needs to break in. The micro bubbles are normal during the break in period and will go away as the skimmer breaks in.