Surface skimmer bubbles

[marcos77]

Hello. I have a 40 gallon AIO aqua top reef tank. I do have surface film. I purchased the Skim 350 Micro Surface Skimmer - Eheim. Had it for about 1 month and I cannot get this thing to start making micro bubbles. I tried using sponges, different heights and nothing works. Is there a better one to get where I won’t have to worry about micro bubbles that you guys had success with? I don’t have a sump

 

[Quietman]

Start making micro bubbles?

 

[twentyleagues]

Hello. I have a 40 gallon AIO aqua top reef tank. I do have surface film. I purchased the Skim 350 Micro Surface Skimmer - Eheim. Had it for about 1 month and I cannot get this thing to start making micro bubbles. I tried using sponges, different heights and nothing works. Is there a better one to get where I won’t have to worry about micro bubbles that you guys had success with? I don’t have a sump

That is not a skimmer that will produce micro bubbles. It pulls water from the surface and pulls the oils that sit on top to a mechanical filter of sponge. That is a surface skimmer the top part needs to sit at a level of the water surface where it can pull in the surface water to help remove those oils. The very top part should "float" and probably rotate with current that way its pulling in those oils. Calling it a skimmer is probably a bit confusing to some but that is what it does skim the surface water. It is not a protein skimmer or the real name foam fractioning device.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

A surface skimmer is not the same as a protein skimmer, which is what I think you are referring to. A surface skimmer just skims the surface and puts it through the filtration system. A protein skimmer uses bubbles to push the organics out of the water.

A sump is not needed for a protein skimmer, they make several good hob skimmers.

 

[Quietman]

I also see on the Eheim website that it provides high oxygenation. That could also be confusing as it doesn't directly improve oxygen. It removes the surface film and provides some agitation. That film will reduce the oxygen in the air from coming into contact with the water which is the primary means that our tanks get oxygen (surface air contact plus agitation).

I've almost bought these once or twice (and still might for my freshwater). Reviews are high and it does what it does well.

 

[Evil1]

Do not use the black strainer or the clear strainer on top. Just use the grey floating outside sleeve and the provided blue foam sponge.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IMO the best way to prevent that surface buildup is to have a powerhead aimed at the surface, and the surface agitation also helps oxygenate the water.

 

[marcos77]

Thank you for the tips.