Help tuning MARS DIY Skimmer

[kevin95695]

Argh.

I've assembled and disassembled that durn thing a dozen times. I think I've got it to the point where it might produce some good dry foam (it looks good after 20 minutes running now), but no matter WHAT I've tried... I keep getting microbubbles in the output. What seem like too many to me. I tried putting a little eggcrate just above the out-go to break the vortex and trick the bubbles, but it didn't really help.

Is there anyone with this same experience or who has defeated this issue? Is this just the reality of running a skimmer?

Thanks.

 

[Avalanche Wolf]

I think this is why a lot of people run them in sumps to give time for the bubble to get out before hitting the display. I had this problem big time with a catalina skimmer i run. I now have it dumping into a fuge where is has to go through the macro algae which grabs all the bubbles.

 

[kevin95695]

It wouldn't bother me so much if they weren't making it into the showroom tank.

 

[MrMikeB]

DO you have a diffuser running on the output? Also, some pics would be cool to see where your bublle levels are.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Hey Kevin

I've been meaning to PM you. I discovered a mod after you took delivery that affects this. You will see it at the meeting tonight. I'm bringing a few extra skimmers tonight so we should be able to retrofit yours after the meeting.

When the skimmer is running normally, the bottom 1-3" should be clear. This is controlled by the angle of the injection nozzle and how far it is from the bottom of the skimmer.