Micro Bubbles and Tunze 9006

[DiscusHeckel]

Hi Roger,

I have recently purchased a second hand Tunze 9006 skimmer with the sump conversion kit. I started to operate the skimmer in the sump of my newly set up tank (230 litres after displacement). ALL the LR came from my previous set up. In addition, 35% of the volume came from my old set up. Hence, I would say that there must be plenty of organics to skim.

I am experiencing two problems:

1. Despite producing a lot of bubbles inside the neck of the skimmer, no foam is rising in the neck. I am aware that skimmers need to break in, but my old Tunze 9002 started to produce foam within hours.

Are the instructions in the manual on the adjustment of the air valve accurate? What is your advice on air valve adjustment?

2. I get A LOT OF micro bubbles from the tiny hole at the back of the skimmer. I can't help wondering if there is any point in using the sponge on the outlet pipe when there are micro bubbles escaping from the back hole?

What might be causing micro bubbles?

The skimmer is in the first chamber of my sump and submerged in about 7" of water.

I hope you can offer some advice.

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[rvitko]

1) For air adjustment, start with the air screw open 3-4 turns wait 48-72 hours before further adjustment. If after this time period nothing or very thick skimmate is collected, open the screw 1/4 to 1/2 turn every 24hrs, close it in the opposite scenario of very watery skimmate, but always allowing 24 hours between adjustments.

2) Direct this outlet at the glass wall of the sump so the flow slowly trickles down the wall and the bubbles can escape. The bubbles will reduce after 1-2 weeks as the skimmer breaks in, a full break in takes 2 weeks. It should generally be skimming in an established system after 72 hours. Be sure that water is exiting the pipe in front, it will be a slow trickle, but if water is not exiting this pipe, the skimmer cannot work and some part is improperly installed.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

Hi Roger,

Thank you for your reply.

My skimmer has eventually bedded in. I got fed up with waiting and opened the air valve to 6 turns yesterday. The skimmer then showed signs of "waking up". I then very slowly turned the valve down (1/4 turns at a time). The skimmer is now running on 4.5 turns and is producing plenty of foam. I could turn it down further but I prefer slightly wet skimmate.

If I find that the collection cup is too small for my needs, can I replace it with Tunze 9011's cup? You told me in the past that both skimmer's neck sizes and lengths are the same except that 9011 has a bigger collection volume.

:thumbsup:

 

[rvitko]

9011 cup will generally require the stronger pump, the 9006 pump will struggle to produce skimmate with the taller foam riser of the cup.

Thanks!