Tunze 9002 microbubbles

[eduardo75]

Hi, im new here, and i have a problem with my Tunze 9002. Im still cycling my tank (3 weeks now), and since i have improved the circulation with a Tunze 6025, a lot of microbubbles are flowing from the skimmer. I can see them clearly going out from the bottom of the skimmer.

As i said, ive running it for two weeks with a little maxijet as the only circulation, and i could see some microbubbles, but just when i installed the other pump lasta week (tunze 6025), the microbubbles have made my tank like an alkaseltzer...

I must say the skimmer is second hand, and i can see that the bottom plate is a little bit "bumped", and is from there where the bubbles are going out.

I have read that maybe the problem is that the tank is still cycling and so the microbubbles wil disappear by itself with time and bioload; but im worried with the possible relation between increased circulation and increased bubbles; or u just think the problem is in the bump in the bottom plate?

Any sugestions would be very apreciated.

Thanks in advanced.

PS: Sorry my English, im Spanish.

 

[rvitko]

It sounds like the pump is not installed properly and that is why the bottom plate is bowed down. This would cause a lot of bubbles. Make sure the pump is installed so the nozzle goes through a hole in a plate inside the skimmer.

If the powerhead is blowing across the back or bottom of the skimmer this would increase the bubbles. It could also be that the high flow and some algae have increased the oxygen level, if this is so, the bubbles will increase the longer the lights are on.

 

[eduardo75]

Thanks a lot. I´ll try to see if the pump is not properly placed (how should exactly be placed? could u give me a more detailed explanation? is there a picture or graphic anywhere about this?)

I have no algae yet, but I´m worried about what u said refering to the increased oxygen level due to increased circulation... in that case the solution would be to decrease circulation (bad for the reef as far as i know)?

 

[rvitko]

The pump should fit all the way inside so the cover closes flat and there is a plate inside with a hole that the nozzle goes through.

The solution is time and possibly less light. A new tank has very clean water which can hold a supersaturation of oxygen and usually a lot of algae growth which produces a lot of oxygen. A shorter light period and letting the algae run its course and be replaced by beneficial bacteria will solve the problem. You want to keep the flow, it is only that the disturbance of the flow and the skimmer degasses the excess oxygen.

 

[eduardo75]

Thanks again. Im gonna try the pump issue, and i will tell u the result.

Refering to my lighting period, its being only 5 hours/day (im still cycling), and i have no macro algae nor (aparently) micro algae...

What u mean with "it is only that the disturbance of the flow and the skimmer degasses the excess oxygen"? How shoul i orientate the pumps flow?

PS: U can not control the water flow with this skimmer, can u?

 

[rvitko]

How much gas water can hold is solution is depends on the temperature and pressure, at a pump the pressure is changed and the gas can longer stay dissolved.

 

[eduardo75]

It sounds like the pump is not installed properly and that is why the bottom plate is bowed down. This would cause a lot of bubbles. Make sure the pump is installed so the nozzle goes through a hole in a plate inside the skimmer.

If the powerhead is blowing across the back or bottom of the skimmer this would increase the bubbles. It could also be that the high flow and some algae have increased the oxygen level, if this is so, the bubbles will increase the longer the lights are on.

Ok, I have tried to clean and rearrange the skimmer, but i have a couple of doubts in doing so:

1.- When u say "Make sure the pump is installed so the nozzle goes through a hole in a plate inside the skimmer", u mean the white silicone tube connected to the blue screw has to go through the hole? or the nozzle with its green short tube has to go through the hole? (if i place the nozzle with the green tube through the hole, it seems that i have to place the pump (is the old model, not the new "silence") in its opposite direction (the cable has tu be turn around the pump to go out the skimmer through its hole) and it seems to blow through the small hole in the housing of the skimmer instead of the two slots in the oppsoite side of it.

2.- When u say "If the powerhead is blowing across the back or bottom of the skimmer this would increase the bubbles", i doubt which has to be the good blowing direction of the pump, i mean: tha pump has to blow through the little hole in the housing of the skimmer? or it has to blow through the two small slots in the opposite side of the housing?

For now, i have placed the pump blowing through the small hole and with the nozzle and green short tube through the hole, and it seems to be skimming but it now blows bubbles through the hole in the housing.

Can u help me, please?

Thanks a lot again.

PS: Excuse my dificulty to explain myself in English.

 

[rvitko]

Yes, the pump has the cord wrapped around and the green nozzle goes through the hole. The slots are not to suck in water, this skimmer works by diffusion and it does not suck in water. If the pump is the other way, this is why there are so many bubbles. If the powerhead is blowing across the bottom or holes in the skimmer it acts like a venturi and sucks the bubbles out of the skimmer. Aim the powerhead so it is not aimed at the skimmer.

 

[eduardo75]

Yes, the pump has the cord wrapped around and the green nozzle goes through the hole. The slots are not to suck in water, this skimmer works by diffusion and it does not suck in water. If the pump is the other way, this is why there are so many bubbles. If the powerhead is blowing across the bottom or holes in the skimmer it acts like a venturi and sucks the bubbles out of the skimmer. Aim the powerhead so it is not aimed at the skimmer.

Thanks... nut i have placed the pump as u says and now the bubbles are coming out through the hole in the housing of the skimmer...

Any help with this?

 

[rvitko]

Do you mean the small hole near the top on the back by the magnet holder?

 

[eduardo75]

No, i mean a hole that is placed down, in one of the narrow sides of the skimmer... just the opposite side where the two slots are.

 

[rvitko]

The only hole should be at the top above the slots on the back. There are two slots that the bottom cover locks into at the bottom, one on the front and one on the back? Do you have a picture?

 

[mbernardo]

No, i mean a hole that is placed down, in one of the narrow sides of the skimmer... just the opposite side where the two slots are.

Hello Eduardo, R U from Portugal?
Have you solved your issue with Tunze 9002? I've got the same problem.

Best regards
Miguel Bernardo