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View Full Version : Are micro bubbles really harmful?


Ston3
03/14/2010, 05:24 PM
Hello all,

I was wondering if micro bubbles are really harmful to livestock. Ive read that they can get caught in fish gills. Has anyone had any trouble with them? I'm getting alot of microbubbles from my odyssa ps75 skimmer. I'm using the foam sponge attachment but I'm still getting alot of bubbles. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
ston3

floydie83
03/14/2010, 05:33 PM
nope

jim t
03/14/2010, 05:35 PM
I have read that they are bad on multiple sites

irieef
03/14/2010, 05:44 PM
try and ziptie a nylon stocking over the sponge/outlet where the bubbles are coming out of, this should help..

Jstdv8
03/14/2010, 05:57 PM
it could be becuase of water heig change on your outlet. If you have a sump or canget one. put your skimmer in there for a constant water height. This will likley cure the problem. that or top off your tank 3 times a day.

IslandCrow
03/14/2010, 06:48 PM
Actually, micro bubbles can be irritating to corals.

iap
03/14/2010, 08:39 PM
What is the easiest way to eliminate microbubbles aside from redesigning my sump?

jcmelski
03/14/2010, 08:45 PM
how old is the skimmer? it could be that it isn't broken in yet and once it breaks in it will stop.

br3nt
03/14/2010, 08:47 PM
in large quantities micro bubbles can start to effect fish, they breath in too much air and it get catch inside them. But that would mean lots and lots of bubbles. Unsure what to do about the skimmer.

danielsbees
03/14/2010, 08:52 PM
I've heard that they can affect the fishes eyes but I have never seen it happen.

Ston3
03/14/2010, 09:39 PM
Thanks for the responses all. I bought the skimmer used so I'm sure it's broken in. There's not much evap in my tank so I don't think it's the water height.

I'm in the process of building a sump so I'm going to throw it in there asap. In the meantime, I plan on skimming at night and then turning it off during the day.

Grant W
03/14/2010, 11:31 PM
filter media after skimmer and before return pump

cloak
03/15/2010, 04:24 AM
nope

+1.

"The sea was angry that day my friends..."

lordofthereef
03/15/2010, 06:15 AM
In most corals' natural habitats (aka the ocean LOL) there are generally far more bubbles than those in the tank. I have even seen people inject large amount of air into their pumps daily. This causes select corals to produce a slime coat, which is believed to actually be beneficial to wash off potential toxins/wastes that may have accumulated.

Chris27
03/15/2010, 07:14 AM
+1.

"The sea was angry that day my friends..."

nope +3

A good deal of micro-bubbles - ie. whole tank of bubbles can irritate fish and corals a tad, but generally speaking a few stragglers aren't going to hurt anything. A creative configuration of frequently cleaned sponges, filter floss, and bubble traps can keep things in check.

new2salt09
03/15/2010, 07:47 AM
for now a filter between the skimmer & return pump should help.
on your new sump dont forget the bubble traps

Chi6488
03/15/2010, 09:23 AM
IME yes it can kill. I had trouble dialing in my skimmer for my red sea max and was getting lots of bubbles. It killed my florida blenny and then 2 days later it killed my puffer. Snails, starfish, and hermit crabs were fine though. Water parameters were good as well.

They were gasping for air for some reason with all the micro bubbles. I did not think it would kill them so I left the skimmer on.