Skimmer Question

[cbianco]

I have never used a skimmer before my currently tank arrived. I have done some research but I am left with a very important question...

How do my bubbles look? LOL!

I know that bubble quantity and size are important factors in skimming.

Is my new skimmer on track to getting the gunk out?

:)

[LoneStar]

Photos?

[cbianco]

Photos?

Pictures might help!

Sorry bout that. :bigsmile:

[ErikH]

Those look good to me, is it like that throughout the skimmer's body?

[cbianco]

Those look good to me, is it like that throughout the skimmer's body?

The skimmer body is solid with bubbles. Unfortunately, there is no foam buildup once I put the cup back on. I suppose there is not enough DOCs in the water column yet. Oh and the micro bubbles are driving me nuts.

[TexasTodd]

How long has it been running? A brand new skimmer can take a few days to produce and WILL make micro bubbles during this time too.

What skimmer is it?

Todd

[cbianco]

How long has it been running? A brand new skimmer can take a few days to produce and WILL make micro bubbles during this time too.

What skimmer is it?

Todd

It is a Finnex skimmer. A few people have told me (on my tank thread) to expect microbubbles for 1 to 2 weeks while the skimmer breaks in. I have one week down, hopefully only one week to go. LOL

[cbianco]

Now we are at the two week mark.

Still no skim. Still lots of micro bubbles.

I put a filter sock on the output of my skimmer in hopes of reducing the bubbles.

I have done extensive reading on skimmers and their function and I finally came across something that had significant meaning to me.

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/bubbles-my-deltec-skimmer

To sum it up, new water=low/no skim and micro bubbles. "One of the additives introduced to many salts is a conditioning agent which is put in to react with heavy metals and toxins in the water and neutralise their negative effect." It is necessary for the new water to "age" and become relatively dirty before a skimmer produces skim and works efficiently.

Although the above link is in reference to a Deltec skimmer, I am almost certain this is what I am experiencing.

[fishypets]

Are you sure your water level in the sump is at the recommended lever for that skimmer? Also have you tried "tuning" your skimmer?

[cbianco]

Are you sure your water level in the sump is at the recommended lever for that skimmer?

Well... I have the Finnex, which is an all in one. The water in chamber one, where the skimmer is, does not fluctuate that much. Even so, the skimmer came with no documentation.


Also have you tried "tuning" your skimmer?

Not a whole lot to tune on this skimmer. I can raise/lower the water in the skimmer by adjusting the output pipe. When I did this there was no difference in performance. This is the only adjustment I can make.

I'm kind of under the impression that this Finnex skimmer sucks. :at_wits_end:

[mozartkt]

You have their logo in your signature, so does it really suck that much?! :) LOL; give it some time.

[cbianco]

You have their logo in your signature, so does it really suck that much?! :) LOL; give it some time.

The tank and lights rock! It's the skimmer...

I know it takes some time for skimmer to break in and I am trying to be patient.

Oh and by the way, here is the Finnex website,

www.finnex.net

I think they went out of business. Now that is LOL especially considering I just bought $600 worth of their products. :lauging:

[cbianco]

So, it has been about 1 month now that my tank has been up and running. The skimmer has AT NO TIME produced any foam. Is it time to call this skimmer a POS and move on or should I give it some additional time.

Yes, the tank was brand new and I used dead rock to set it up. I imagine that I should have seen some skim-mate by now regardless.

What do you think?

[hobogato]

if there is nothing in the tank but water, sand and rock, then you may not see any skimmate production.

[rz1a]

is this that little skimmer that hangs on the back of the tank? I heard the finnex skimmers arent that great? usually skimmers take 2-3 weeks to produce good foam and some will fully break in about 2 months. I know my octopus took almost 3 weeks until i finally started seeing some good skimmate

[cbianco]

if there is nothing in the tank but water, sand and rock, then you may not see any skimmate production.

I have at least 4 lbs of dirty, murky, live sand and I feed my crabs and snails a piece of shrimp every other day. Granted i do have the chaetomorpha in the refugium, I don't think it pulls everything out.


is this that little skimmer that hangs on the back of the tank? I heard the finnex skimmers arent that great? usually skimmers take 2-3 weeks to produce good foam and some will fully break in about 2 months. I know my octopus took almost 3 weeks until i finally started seeing some good skimmate

This is the finnex brand skimmer that comes with the 30 gallon M-Tank. It seems a bit far fetched to me that the skimmer is not producing some foam.

This is driving me nuts. I wish I had an AquaC Remora to test out and see if the Finnex is right or wrong, lol.