Why so finicky?! Bubble Magus G5

[richard king]

I recently purchased a BM G5 (not the curve) and have it in an Escopps small sump. At first, the water level in the skimmer was very low and when the level control knob was turned, it suddenly overflowed. I thought maybe the water's level in the center area of the sump was too high for this unit, so I raised the platform 1.5". While I had to turn the knob some to raise the level in the skimmer now, even when done very slowly, it suddenly wants to overflow once the bubbles near the neck. Then to stop the onslaught, I have to turn the knob very far to drop the level. What am I doing wrong? Do I need to raise even higher?:uhoh3:

 

[richard king]

Update: (since I have no manual and when I go on their web site my virus scanner has a fit).

The water level in the skimmer area is 7.75" and I have raised the skimmer about 1.5".

Need to raise more? I guess I have little to lose?

 

[Tom39]

The suggested water level for that skimmer is 200mm (or 7.87"). So at the full depth of your sump you are really close. If the skimmer is overflowing my first question would be if you gave it a vinegar bath to remove any manufacturing oils or containments before adding it to your system?
If it was thoroughly cleaned prior to adding it to the system. Try removing the collection cup, adjust the valve until the skimmer overflows and let it run for a few hours or even a day just cycling water through the skimmer and pump. I have found this helpful with skimmer break-in and it also getting the skimmer to settle in.
However, if you have added containments to the water, you may want to run some carbon or something like poly filter to remove the containments or you may be chasing the wind until it is pulled from the system.

Hope it helps

 

[richard king]

Thanks Tom.
The tank is in break in mode and the skimmer is used, but went through a vinegar cycle.
I will try your idea of running the skimmer in overflow mode for a day (its not doing anything now anyway, and the tank is cycling).

While the sump water level is 7.75", the water level inside this skimmer is most certainly lower than that. I am used to recirc skimmers, where water level in the sump is not as important. I'm guessing with these types of skimmers, having the sump level higher than the level in the skimmer is a no-no?

 

[richard king]

I could always chop up some poly filter pads and throw in the sock, similar to your suggestion?

 

[Tom39]

I have found that maintaining the water level with a BM is crucial to the function of the skimmer. I have a curve 5 on one of my tanks and it too is finicky when it comes to a constant water level.

Good luck

 

[richard king]

I think its starting to calm down.....
I ran some poly filters in the sock and ran in overflow mode without the collection cup as you recommended for a day. I am slowly working up the water level and now the bubbles are near the top.
Hopefully I'll be out of the woods soon.
Thanks!