I did a water change last night and afterwards bubbles are pouring out of my skimmer. It wasn't as much of a problem before last night, but they have always been there. I checked everything and it seems hooked up as I would think it should be (green tube up hole, airline connected on the top and on the pump output). I even get microbubbles when I close the screw down all the way. I don't understand how I can get bubbles if there isn't air fed into the water. What can I do? Please help.
9002 Skimmer Microbubbles
- Thread starter Esabasard
- Start date
There are two possibilities, the first and most likely is the water change raised the oxygen level dramatically, you probably added cooler saltwater that was mixed vigorously and so it was super saturated with oxygen. Inside the skimmer the pump is creating a pressure change that degasses the excess oxygen. That is why even with no air flow you get bubbles.
The other possibility is the new water had some sort of stress coat or dechlorinator or vitamin additive that acts a surfactant so the bubbles carry further, much like adding soap to water. Even with the venturi screw closed completely there is some air that gets to the venturi, it isn't an airtight seal.
In either case the problem should solve itself within a few days. If there are just too many bubbles you could shut the skimmer off for a day or two.
The other possibility is the new water had some sort of stress coat or dechlorinator or vitamin additive that acts a surfactant so the bubbles carry further, much like adding soap to water. Even with the venturi screw closed completely there is some air that gets to the venturi, it isn't an airtight seal.
In either case the problem should solve itself within a few days. If there are just too many bubbles you could shut the skimmer off for a day or two.
I think the first possibility is the most likely since I used RO water so there is not any additives, other than the I/O salt. If the increase in oxygen is the problem, then how can I prevent this with future water changes? Should I just turn off the skimmer after a water change?
This will probably be less of an issue as the water warms up with warmer weather. How much gas dissolves in water is dependent on temp and pressure, colder water, holds more gas. Letting it warm up and sit for a day with the mixing pumps off will likely be the only change needed.
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