9005 in tank and microbubbles

[Blair]

I have a Tunze 9005 skimmer running in the tank. I am getting a lot of microbubbles from the bottom of the skimmer. The skimmer has been running about 2-3 weeks. I have the door on the front about 80% closed and the top air screw is about 3 turns out. The bubbles come out pretty much all the time, but are worse after feeding and using epoxy. It does not look like there is any room to put anything in the bottom to stop the bubbles. Not sure what to do... any suggestions would be appreciated.

Blair

[Aquadepot]

Hi Blair,

When the 9005/9010 are new they do release some micro bubbles in the first week or two this should subside. As you mentioned additives will increase the effect. Super saturation of some gases like CO2 also can be the cause and are then releaed as micro bubbles loooking like they come from the skimmer.

Regards
Graeme

[rvitko]

The epoxy will definitely aggrevate this problem. Has it improved lately?

[Blair]

I has improved a little, but not by much. I moved it out of the tank, bought a sump, and put it in the sump. I am using the sump extension kit, I have closed the door about 50%, have the blue screw three turns out. But am still getting bubbles after about a week. Can I block the little hole in the back? Will that stop some of the bubbles?

Thanks
Blair

[rvitko]

With the sump kit the door should be open 100%. Plugging the hole can be done but it increases the force of the exiting water and the water level should be no more than 8" in the sump if you do so. Any chance you can post a picture?

[Blair]

OK, I have been able to reduce some of the bubbles making it into the tank by reducing the flow through the sump and rearrangeing a few things. However, it seems that I just can't get the skimmer to skim wet since moving it to the sump. I searched and read just about every thread on this section of the forum regarding setting up the 9005/9010.

The sump water level is 8 inches, I have the door 100% open, I have the sponge on the outlet of the skimmer elevated a little to raise the water level in the skimmer, and I have tinkered with the air screw from 2 turns out to taking it off completely and this doesn't seem to change things. But it always seems that after three days all i get is a thick dry layer of film on the inside of the collector, but very little liquid. It seems I should be getting more skim considering I have 6 fish, 3 clams, and about 12 sps frags in a 50 gallon tank. Any advice?

[rvitko]

If the sponge is above the outlet of the pipe the water will be too high inside and restrict the airflow, basically, water backs up into the air intake. Make sure the cover is on the bottom of the skimmer all the way, even a small gap will let water escape and reduce efficiency. Lower the sponge to even with the top of the pipe and use the screw to adjust the skimmer performance by adjusting the air flow.

[Blair]

OK, will try that, but the reason I moved the sponge up was because it was too dry before, as I thought raising the water level would lead to wetter skim. If I upgrade the pump and collection cup to those from a 9010, would I gain more adjustability as far as wet vs dry skim?

Thanks
Blair

[rvitko]

You should have very good adjustability but you want to do the adjustments by adding more air. Open the screw up more and you should get a wetter skimmate.

[Blair]

Roger:

Can you tell me what part numbers I will need to convert my 9005 to a 9010? Also, where can I order these parts?

Thanks
Blair

[rvitko]

9010.015, 0235.12A and 0220.014, you should be able to order all of them on Tunze.com.

[Nizztos]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10806744#post10806744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
9010.015, 0235.12A and 0220.014, you should be able to order all of them on Tunze.com.

I tried to find the above number on Tunze.com, but could not find 0235.12A and 0220.014.

I'm assuming that 0220.014 should be 0220.140 and is the skimmer cup. But what is 0235.12A?

[rvitko]

Correct, 0220.140. Order 0235.120, if you are in the US or a 60Hz country 0235.12A aka 0233.120 will be substitued as this is the proper size for 60Hz. The A stands for America and is the 60Hz designation.