Reef Pack 200

[The Computer Ox]

I have a Reef Pack 200 in a 20g long. I have had pretty good success so far, except for a few issues. Starting with the filter, the output has a very slight curve but it needs a sharper elbow. The stream that comes out is so powerful and straight it blows sand everywhere. Is there any way to add a 45 or 90 degree to direct the flow upward? It would be ideal if I could add some lineloc tubing and direct the flow better.

Now for the skimmer. I run it rather dry since the slightest movement of the knob could send it overflowing. I don't mind running it dry, I actually prefer it. The issue is that there are micro bubbles coming from the bottom of the skimmer. Any way to fix this as they really cloud the tank?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[rvitko]

That spoon bill is the only outlet we have, have you tried rotating it so it is mostly deflected upwards? I am sure it could be modded but we don't have any stock fittings that are different. You can also turn the pump down if you open the filter. It does have a flow adjustment.

If it is less than 2 weeks old, the microbubbles will diminish in time. Especially with new aquariums the skimmer produces microbubbles for many reasons.

1) New water will be oxygen saturated most likely and the skimmer will degas the excess, this especially so if say the water was 65 degrees from the tap or RO and is being heated to 78 or so in the aquarium, by Boyles law, the excess dissolved gas must escape and the pressure change at the skimmer encourages this.

2) Various additives change surface tension and cause bubbles to travel further. Stress coat, dechlorinator, new filter floss, all have these surfactants which affect how far bubbles travel as well as the size of the bubbles.

3) The new skimmer is very clean, after 2 weeks the plastic will be seasoned and not repel the water and the pump will be a bit weaker from biofilm and debris and reach its more optimal level of functions.

The only mechanical issues that can cause the bubbles escaping are strong flow by the skimmer, especially across the back or bottom and having the airline to the pump draped infront of the venturi jet nozzle.