New Skimmer stressing fish

[sheeba]

I recently added a hang on Gebo 180 skimmer,(LRS said good one) On a 30gal (130 litres) tank with 20kg L/R -2 p/h's - Penguin bio-wheel 170. The tanks approx 10mths old.
The skimmer is producing an enormous amount of bubbles in the tank, can't see much through it.. I was told to wait 3 -4 days for the skimmer to settle in, it's been 3 days and no difference, only slight green color in cup, no foam etc...Though my Nitrates have dropped to 0 from 10ppm.
The bubbles are causing the fish distress, the Ocillaris are hiding in a corner not moving much (I thought they were sick) and I don't see the Dottyback as he's hiding in the rocks and he's usually very visible. Bubbles exploding on the anemone can kill it.(re: LRS)
When I turned it off they all started to swim around normally.
I added some filter from an old box filter to the inlet on the P/H and added some more that attached to and covered the outlet.
This seemed to reduce the mass of bubbles to a mist and the fish seem happier.
There is only one control for air inlet that also adjusts the water flow, I've adjusted the inlet for min bubbles without too much water flow as it's very noisy and annoying.
I've looked to see if any of my other p/h's will fit it and no luck.
Have my adjustments made the skimmer any less effective than it already seems too be?
Will these bubbles stop, the stress they cause on the fish is unreasonable.
Any help is much appreciated

[Poseidon]

I would return it...

Bubbles in the tank do you no service and waiting 3-4 days did nothing (not sure why they told you that in the first place) the Bubbles need to be in the reaction chamber for the skimmer to be effective and 3 days with no production means this skimmer will not work for your application. I've read good things about turbo floaters maybe you can try one of those....

Mike

[sheeba]

Thanks for the response
I called the LRS and they dont want to give me a refund.
There is bubbles in the chamber, and they spill over profusely into the tank.
I think the model is faulty and the LRS highly recommend the Gebo product.

[Reefland]

Hi sheeba and Welcome to Reefland!

Well it is not surprising that the local shop doesn't want to let you return the skimmer. I have not heard of Gebo so I am guessing it is a product made in Australia? You might want to try and locate the manufacturer to see if they have some type of bubble trapping device.

It is not uncommon for skimmers to release bubbles they produce from the output. In fact, it should be expected to do so. A product produced here in the US by AquaC has a bubble trapping device that attaches to their hang on the tank skimmers to prevent all of the bubbles from being returned into the tank.

About half way down the page you will see a Surface Prefilter Box which is also intended to remove the bubbles.
http://www.proteinskimmer.com/accessories.htm

Hope this helps,
Scott Z.

[madman19710]

I recently added a hang on Gebo 180 skimmer,(LRS said good one) On a 30gal (130 litres) tank with 20kg L/R -2 p/h's - Penguin bio-wheel 170. The tanks approx 10mths old.
The skimmer is producing an enormous amount of bubbles in the tank, can't see much through it.. I was told to wait 3 -4 days for the skimmer to settle in, it's been 3 days and no difference, only slight green color in cup, no foam etc...Though my Nitrates have dropped to 0 from 10ppm.
The bubbles are causing the fish distress, the Ocillaris are hiding in a corner not moving much (I thought they were sick) and I don't see the Dottyback as he's hiding in the rocks and he's usually very visible. Bubbles exploding on the anemone can kill it.(re: LRS)
When I turned it off they all started to swim around normally.
I added some filter from an old box filter to the inlet on the P/H and added some more that attached to and covered the outlet.
This seemed to reduce the mass of bubbles to a mist and the fish seem happier.
There is only one control for air inlet that also adjusts the water flow, I've adjusted the inlet for min bubbles without too much water flow as it's very noisy and annoying.
I've looked to see if any of my other p/h's will fit it and no luck.
Have my adjustments made the skimmer any less effective than it already seems too be?
Will these bubbles stop, the stress they cause on the fish is unreasonable.
Any help is much appreciated

I BOUGHT THE SAME SKIMMER cheap huh well i hope it was 35 bucks on e-bay the bubbles will reduce alot but never go away it really did skim great after about two weeks of messing with it if you can find the exact setting with the air valve.If you keep the skimmer just a hint unplug it to empty the collection cup dont turn it down instead the thing is a pain to set again it is really just a seaclone knockoff and comes with all the same problems i went ahead and upgraded but you can get by with it .

[stang69]

You might want to try puting a air regulatator on it from a old powerhead that may help



Jeff

[Poseidon]

Bummer on the NO RETURN... I guess its time to start making Mods to the skimmer then... CAn you fashion some sort of foam block for the water to pass thru b4 it gets to your tank? that will greatly reduce the bubbles into the tank. Also you could try to make some sort of "stepped" return like the one on the Turbofloater... I don't knw what the skimmer looks like or maybe I could help you come up with more ideas Is there a link you could post with a picture?

Mike

[Stagefright13]

I had a similar skimmer. The seaclone. When I put it in my sump I rubber banded a whisper power filter foam to the output tray and helped drastically. I have since upgraded to another skimmer tho

[SteveP]

No return on the skimmer ? Sheesh - that would be the last time I ever did business with that store (and I would make a point of telling them, and everyone else I knew exactly that).

Too many bubbles generally implies either a bad design (not unlikely) or too much water flow flushing the bubbles out of the skimmer.

Did the LFS also recommend the powerhead that went with the skimmer, or did this one come in the box ? Is the powerhead built into the skimmer itself ? Can you add a pipe to the inlet and use it to connect up to one of your smaller powerheads ?

I feel your pain - I have a Red Sea Prizm skimmer that is basically a pretty piece of smoked acrylic...cost me over $100 on a LFS recommendation - thing is useless, but they wouldn't take it back either. Haven't spent a penny in that store since.

Steve

[kenn157]

I have a SeaClone 100 tiny bibbles but nothing to outrages. The cup is colecting a green slime with some foam. I've cleaned it twice already. Its new and I didnt know what to expect from it. New to the world or marine fish. Is the green stuff normal?

Kenn

[patsfan1130]

I have a SeaClone 100 tiny bibbles but nothing to outrages. The cup is colecting a green slime with some foam. I've cleaned it twice already. Its new and I didnt know what to expect from it. New to the world or marine fish. Is the green stuff normal?

Kenn

I've checked into this Ken. Although most of us produce brown skimmate. It is not uncommom to produce green from time to time. The additives you add could possibly be the reason for green. On a side note..I think we should look into a better skimmer.

Mark

[kenn157]

I'm glad you came over yesterday to check out my set up! A new one eh? I just spent $130.. something for this one. Tom from the pet store said he'd oreder one. Thats what he got me.

[patsfan1130]

I'm glad you came over yesterday to check out my set up! A new one eh? I just spent $130.. something for this one. Tom from the pet store said he'd oreder one. Thats what he got me.

Very typical for a LFS

In a word...Seaclones suck.

[kenn157]

ratz!!!

[kenn157]

see what is says about the Seaclone...

The SeaClone Protein Skimmer is taking the science of marine fishkeeping by storm. Superior to air-driven protein skimmers, it's got the exclusive Turbo-Venturi® Injector System, an extra-large collection cup, and a custom Vortex Reaction Chamber that creates a powerful waste-removing "cyclone" effect to efficiently remove dissolved organics from your marine aquarium

The SeaClone® protein skimmer utilizes the forces of nature to effectively draw wastes out of your aquarium. The tornado-like motion inside the SeaClone® protein skimmer removes organic wastes from your aquarium. The SeaClone® protein skimmer has been developed and tested in different aquarium environments. As a result, its design is simple and user-friendly. SeaClone® requires no airstones and is more efficient than air-driven protein skimmers. SeaClone protein skimmer has versatile dual design — it functions as either a external hang-on or internal sump model. A Maxi-Jet®PH aquarium pump is included with each SeaClone® protein skimmer

[Reefland]

There are much more effecient skimmers available on the market today that will do a lot more good for your system. Skimmers that are powered with a relatively small pump, utilizing an injector (whether beckett or other) produce a million bubbles and do a fantastic job. $130 for a skimmer isn't a lot; this along with lighting is one thing you should spend the most money on and get something that will perform.

Popular brands today include:
Euro-Reef
AquaC
My Reef Creations


Scott Z.

[kenn157]

Thanks ScottZ! I think Patsfan1130 and I will get me a good one.