SCA-302 Microbubble Issue

[Struggler]

So I am brand new to the hobby and have just set up a 90 gallon tank with no live stock yet. Currently my SCA 302 is going wild with microbubbles out of the adjustment pipe on lower settings and crazy overflow from the collection cup on higher settings.

At first I thought that it was from the large amount of epoxy I used for my rock structure, but that was three days ago. I used the two little fishes epoxy I believe, and it recommended turning off the skimmer for 36 hours. Anyone experience this issue before? Any suggestions to what I can do?

 

[TheEngineer]

Welcome to R2R! I have the SCA 301 on my 50g cube. You’re likely just going through the break in cycle on the skimmer. It takes some time before it runs well.

Post a picture of the side of the skimmer and we can see if you’re set right.

 

[Struggler]

Here is a picture of the skimmer

 

[Daltrey]

It will take a week or two to break in. I run mine on 3. Make sure the long blue pipe is pushed all the way in. Your water level looks high also. It needs to be in between 8 and 9 inches of water. You could try putting something under the skimmer to raise it and see if that helps.

 

[TheEngineer]

+1.

That also looks like there’s something causing it to foam more. Like a surfactant of some sort. I’d get the height set and let it run for a couple weeks. Should wear off.

 

[Struggler]

It will take a week or two to break in. I run mine on 3. Make sure the long blue pipe is pushed all the way in. Your water level looks high also. It needs to be in between 8 and 9 inches of water. You could try putting something under the skimmer to raise it and see if that helps.

Ok any suggestions for what is safe to use to raise it?

 

[Struggler]

+1.

That also looks like there’s something causing it to foam more. Like a surfactant of some sort. I’d get the height set and let it run for a couple weeks. Should wear off.

Yeah I had used a small container of aquastick epoxy to hold some rock together. The package says to wait 36 hours and the picture I posted was after 3 days

 

[Daltrey]

Ok any suggestions for what is safe to use to raise it?

Here is an old post from melev with one for sale. I'm sure you could google skimmer stand and come up with a few ideas. My sump has an adjustable chamber to raise and lower the height of the water in the skimmer chamber.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/custom-skimmer-stands.58838/

 

[TheEngineer]

Ok any suggestions for what is safe to use to raise it?

Something plastic is fine. Doesn’t need to be elaborate, just stable and it should allow water to move around it.

Yeah I had used a small container of aquastick epoxy to hold some rock together. The package says to wait 36 hours and the picture I posted was after 3 days

Doubt it was that. Could be , but I haven’t had that problem. I think it is the height of the water and the fact it is a new skimmer.

 

[Struggler]

Thanks @Daltrey and @TheEngineer I'll post what I end up doing and if it is resolved

 

[Struggler]

Ok so here are the pictures of the new water level that it is at as well as how the skimmer is working on the max setting

 

[TheEngineer]

Looks like that should be at 7” max according to a quick google search.

 

[Struggler]

Looks like that should be at 7” max according to a quick google search.

Yeah I've seen conflicting posts on the height for the skimmer. Daltrey suggested between 8-9 so I started there. If I dont see a change by the end of the day I may move the level to 7 inchs

 

[TheEngineer]

I looked up the specific skimmer. It should be at 7”

 

[JacklePappy]

@Daltrey , it looks like you've got the drain line from the skimmer going somewhere... is that to a drain or...?

 

[pickupman66]

mine is in the 6-7" area on its height. I placed a PVC drainage grate under mine and it works great. you have it set too deep and it is brand new. I had microbubbles in mine when it was new for a week or so. they tapered off. it can also be the epoxy too. skimmers can be very sensitive beasts. that said, once dialed in, this is a pretty darn good skimmer. I have had mine for 3 years of flawless performance. I wish I had the bigger cup like you guys. mine usually runs around setting 3 and produces some seriously stank nasty funk.

 

[Daltrey]

Yeah I've seen conflicting posts on the height for the skimmer. Daltrey suggested between 8-9 so I started there. If I dont see a change by the end of the day I may move the level to 7 inchs

Yes, I am in the process of switching tanks right now from a 155 gallon bowfront to a 750xxl so my skimmer isn't running or I could have measured it exactly. I do remember when the water level was too deep that it would overflow. Try 7".

Just took down last weekend

Setting up now

 

[Daltrey]

@Daltrey , it looks like you've got the drain line from the skimmer going somewhere... is that to a drain or...?

I have it running into a gallon jug and open the john guest valve once or twice a week to let the skimmer cup drain. I also have the air inlet running thru the wall to outside. It keeps my ph around 8.1

 

[Struggler]

Right now the I have the drain line plugged because it was draining way too much water for me to feel comfortable to just leave it while I'm off at work or school (I leave my house at 5 am and not back until 10pm). Im going to raise the skimmer to 7 inches when I get home today, and I guess I will try attaching the drain line to some left over air line I have laying around and then to an empty 10 gallon tank so at least it wont over flow.

 

[Struggler]

Yes, I am in the process of switching tanks right now from a 155 gallon bowfront to a 750xxl so my skimmer isn't running or I could have measured it exactly. I do remember when the water level was too deep that it would overflow. Try 7".

Just took down last weekend

Setting up now

that looks beautiful!