Comline 9001 - I can't get it to work right

[McFly09]

I've had this skimmer for 1 month, I ran it in a diluted vinegar solution for 24 hours when I bought it new. I have not been able to get it to work acceptably.

It produces lots of liquid but no dry-ish foam. I have to empty it 3 times a day. Currently the skimmer water level line is 3/8" - 1/2" above actual tank water level. I've been working with it trying different heights for the skimmer and adjusted the air valve back and fourth, and in between.

It also rests at an angle or sags as some others have mentioned. I don't mind but I thought I would mention that in case it's an important detail to why it's not working.

I'm using the surface skimmer attachment.

 

[rvitko]

It will tend to skim wet, if the skimmate is about the color of lighter ice tea, that would be correct but I would expect it to take at least a day or two to fill. Do you use any additives or filter medias such as- dechlorinator, stress coat, amino and vitamin supplements any medications or algae killers, filter floss, Purigen?

 

[McFly09]

Currently I'm adding .5 mL of Red Sea NO3O4-X daily, and a small amount of Red Sea KH Coralline Gro, around 1 mL. In my Aquaclear 50 filter I have a nano sized bag of Chemi-Pure Elite, a bag of carbon, and the water passes through Poly-Tech "super filter" detoxifying pad.

When I open the air valve, I get too much wet foam, when I close it down a bit it's better but I get quite a few micro bubble and larger bubbles coming out of the bottom of the skimmer.

 

[rvitko]

Both of the Red Sea additives are probable culprits, the one is likely a carbon source and the whole point is to have bacteria build a larger molecule that is skimmed out from the phosphate and nitrate. It will result in a lot of wet skimming. The other is likely an amino acid and will also cause a strong reaction from the skimmer. I would bet ceasing use will remedy the skimmer function within a week, you could then resume use at a lower dose if you feel it is needed.

 

[McFly09]

Is there a configuration that results in the least amount of micro bubbles?

I'm using the surface skimmer attachment which seems to work well but I'm wondering if the factory configuration would give better results.

 

[rvitko]

The more you raise it and the more the air is open (within reason) the less you should have bubbles escaping. As you close the air, you increase the water flow so the bubbles travel faster and further and escape. The stock (out of the box) configuration with the deflector aimed at the pump intake produces the least bubbles. If you bought it within the last few months it should have included a couple of small foam blocks for bubble trap use, one has a hole for use with the surface skimmer.

 

[McFly09]

I returned it to the factory configuration and I have the skimmer water mark 3/8" above actual water level and the air is 100% open. There are less micro-bubbles and the cup fills more slowly. I have also not added anything to the water so that might be the real difference. The skimmate is still pretty thin, it basically looks like green tea. I miss the surface skimming feature because now I have a film, but the skimmer seems to be performing a little better.

Does the surface skimmer attachment effect the quality and quantity of the waste/skimmate produced? Do you expect more air bubbles with the skimmer attachment?

 

[rvitko]

It is entirely probable that given some time you can reinstall the surface skimmer but it will result in a few more bubbles exiting the skimmer. It will tend to produce more concentrated waste if it is used. I suspect the root cause is the additives. Most organic additives act similar to detergent, they make the water more "slippery" so bubbles travel further and faster.

 

[McFly09]

I reinstalled the surface skimmer after just one day. It does a pretty good job of keeping the surface clear and I do not have an overflow so it's necessary in my case. There are more micro bubbles than the factory default setting, but it's not causing any problems than I can tell. The skimmer is working better, and I'm still using a small amount, .5mL of the Red Sea NO3O4-x. It seems as like a finer foam block might decrease the micro bubbles. The blue foam block seems to let a quite a few bubbles through. Is there a reason Tunze uses this particular foam block?

 

[rvitko]

A finer block will tend to clog and be high maintenance. It sounds like we are on the right track though and it will improve in time.