Hi all,

I have a Deltec skimmer running 2 weeks now and producing dark skimate from day one - tank must have been manky.

Anyhow I have got over the noise problem by only running it at night or daytime if we are not sitting in the same room.

My main problem is the amount of very fine bubbles that go back into the tank. Not a problem regarding the viewing of the tank but my concern is that there may be too much oxygen in the water as a result of the fine bubbles. My Regal Tang goes down next to a tubeworn at the bottom as if to get away from the more aeriated water above. He/she stays in the same place until the skimmer is switched off.

Also will the skimmer always produce dark skimate or should it go clear with time ?

Many thanks
Processor.

You really cant get enough O2 in the tank not with 1 skimmer, I would guess the tang is just abit worried about noise and bubbles. Will get over it, does it rise for food?

Have you tried a sponge at outflow to grab bubbles, remember to replace/clean it every few days.

It can take up to 3/4 weeks for a skimmer to settle in. But the skum will start to clear soon. And all of a sudden if I remember right.

It the skum wet or dry?. If it's like black coffee it's wet. If like tar it's dry. All it means is that it takes less water out if dry but takes longer to do it. Most people with a new skimmer keep it wet until the shum starts to look more like tea. Then you can adjust the level to make the bubbles traval higher before dumping the skum.

Most new skimmers will produce fine bubbles initially due to the plastics. This should subside over time. Please note though, just because there's bubbles in the tank doesn't mean your water is being oxegenated, you need surface agitation for this and micro bubbles won't cause much of this when they hit the surface.

Also bubbles aren't good for fish or corals, they can agitate them.

The skimmer isn't an MCE600 by any chance. I got one of these second hand and it's still producing micro bubbles, even with the degausing plate attached . I was able to use 40mm PVC piping and a couple of 45 degree joins to stop the bubbles. Only problem is my tank now looks like a building site . I'll probably get rid.

try closing the air inlet for a while (water coming out full flow) and then open valve to desired place....no idea why but this seems to work for me.

Just looked at the date on the original post....8 months ago!!!!!!