CPR skimmer going nuts when feeding tank

[gramma royale]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the help so far, I've been keeping everything I'm doing in a log as well as the suggestions you're all offering. I've recently added a new CPR backpack skimmer to my 18 gallon. Now, I know it has a 48 hour breaking in period, so I'd expect that after three days, there would be little or no bubbles shooting out of the output tube. This is not really the case. When I get home everyday at about 5:30 pm, there are no bubbles coming out of the output. But as soonas I add my reef additives, calcium, and food, the skimmer goes nuts and starts spewing out bubbles like there's no tomorrow! It does this for the whole night! Finally, when I wake up at about 7 am, the skimmer has calmed down a little and the bubbles have lessened. Now, my question is what is causing my skimmer to freak out like thaT? I don't move the skimmer or touch it when I add food and additives, could it be a chemical reaction that causes the bubbles to lose cohesion in the skimmer cup? I've been calling my LFS for help, but they're ALWAYS swamped. Thanks again for your help.

[scout]

gr
I never have had bubbles develop when adding reef complete or calcium, but do notice more during my weekly water changes. I did purchase the cpr bubble trap some time ago and have really had no bubble problems since.
Also you might want to check out the message boards at cpr's site. It's at www.cprusa.com. They talk alot about the different resaons for bubbles there.

HTH
Mike

[Reinhold]

Most high efficiency skimmers like the CPR or the Remora series will stop foaming temporarily when you add food, Micro-Vert or other filter-feeder foods, or when you do a water change. They will temporarily spew bubbles in the return water.

This is a result of the "anti-surface-tension" properties of the additives. There is nothing wrong with your skimmer.