Tunze 9012 microbubble issues

[scottmckinney67]

I just got a 9012 and it's been up for almost 2 days now. New tank here. It's spewing bubbles out of the overflow part. I've seen other threads where it came out of the side or bottom but not the top. Am I just experiencing break in or do I have it assembled incorrectly?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[rvitko]

If bubbles come out the top it is too deeply submerged, a waterfall into the skimmer will be visible at the top when the depth is correct.

 

[scottmckinney67]

Got it, thanks. It's tricky for me because the magnet is hitting the tank lip in order to get the level right and not see the waterline. I've got an osmolator 3155 on the way. I do want to get some wave action going in my tank. Is that going to be an issue? It's a 40 gallon breeder, no sump. I had planned on jabeo rw8 (dialed back some) on a front edge firing the length of the tank, skimmer back middle and osmolator sensors close to skimmer. Should I put the eye right in the skimmer?

 

[rvitko]

If you will have a wave the skimmer will need to be in the middle of the tank where the water level won't change much to work at its best. If you add the optic sensor to the back of the skimmer it will keep the water level where it needs to be, but that is likely to be much lower than you have it, basically their will be a visible water line, it will be below the trim.

 

[scottmckinney67]

Roger, I'm still having issues. The only way I get reduced (always some) microbubbles out of the front skimmer is to have this thing barely in the water. I'm wondering if something's missing or broken...

 

[rvitko]

Any chance of some photos?

 

[kinnadian]

I have similar intermittent issues with my 9012. I have the water level about half way up the grill on the front.

The bubbles appear to be coming out of the front (at the grill) where the skimmer cup sits on the body. The cup correctly seats but the pressure build up from the foam generation causes microbubbles to come out here right at the water level.

@scottmckinney67, mine clear up after a few days, I assume there is some buildup or film where this join is and eventually it self seals. Each time you clean the cup it will come back for a day or 2.

 

[rvitko]

Raise the skimmer or lower the water level so only about 1/3rd of the grate is submerged, I am pretty sure this will solve it. You should have nothing but a waterfall into the skimmer at the top, if that is correct, nothing can exit the top.

 

[scottmckinney67]

I've got the grate almost out of the water. Very little wave action and still microbubbles. If I were to go 1/3 of the way up, I'd have massive amounts. Do you have a high res photo of the inside of the skimmer? A high res of what the waterfall should look like? I'm starting to think it's assembled wrong or missing a part. Thanks.

 

[rvitko]

In the photo it is running with just a 1/4 of the grate submerged, a waterfall is slightly visible and the surface skimming is strong, you see the water being drawn in, especially if there is any dust on the surface. On the back is a waterline mark that is equal to about 1/2 the intake grate being submerged, that would be the maximum that is ideal, lower gives stronger surface skimming. Excess bubbles are usually due to air restriction, the air should be open close to all the way if not all the way. As you restrict air flow, you increase water flow so the bubbles move much faster and further.

 

[scottmckinney67]

Thanks Roger! Excellent customer service!

Scott