Where do micro bubbles come from?

[5881]

Have BC29; started with just BC skimmer and bio balls. I process of slowly removing balls, and then changing to CPR SR3 skimmer . For the first time I inserted the stock carbon pad filter, and presto micro bubbles. Looked at water level, and into pump sump to see if it was low or if larger bubbles were present; nothing. Removed pad, no bubbles. I hear the SR3 can introduce bubbles; would like to get a better understanding of this problem before installing SR3.
Also, how slowly should I remove balls; tank has been running 4 weeks, 2 clowns and some snails.
Thanks.

[The R/C Man]

The oxygen in the water will accumulate on the fibers until the bubbles are large enough to "float" away. We see them as micro bubbles. They can also be caused by cascading/turbulant water and the like.

Do you have live rock in the tank? If not I would add some as that is your biological filtration...... I would just pull the bio balls.

[5881]

Thanks for the reply. I have about 25lbs. of live rock in my BC29. Just put the CPR skimmer in 2 days ago, obviousy removed the balls, and added the stock filter/carbon pad. I am waiting for the skimmer to break in, and then see where I'm at with bubbles.

[The R/C Man]

Personally I try to stay away from filter socks and similar type of filtration only because they hold detritus and become nitrate sinks etc. If you decide to keep it you will just need to clean it all the time......

[5881]

Greg,
Thanks for the info. I removed my stock filter pad because after a few days it gets clogged and reduces the water level in the pump sump of the BC29. So my filtration is the SR3 and 25lbs. live rock, with a coarse sponge in front of the pump. I plan on adding a bag of charcoal to the first chamber. Do I need more mechanical filtration than what I have? I plan on keeping only 3 or 4 small fish, and the balance soft corals.

[The R/C Man]

Hey! Yes the socks just require daily maint. and most people including my self are not that vigilant. The only mechanical filtration I use is the skimmer. I am trying to make the system take care of its self through the use of natural measures. The sand bed, live rock, and the refugium..... Santa Monica has done a nice thread with the use of an algae filter. You could always incorporate that in as well.