figuring out skimmer

[liquafaction]

A lot of people say it is hard to figure these things out, and get them adjusted right, so now I am paranoid. I supplied 2 pics just to help describe what is going on. The skimmer that I am using is a Berlin Classic. I have the powerhead in the sump of my aquarium. The directions said that I could use this thing outside the aquarium, so I built a shelf to go above the auqarium. The instructions, and some people on the boards, said that small bubbles re-entering the aquarium could be dangerous. Well I have bubbles re-entering the tank, and it does not seem that I can adjust it out enough to keep that from happening. The bubbles are bigger bubbles though. The skimmer also kinda perkulates like a coffee pot, and there are big bubbles inside of it, along with the tiny bubbles. When you take off the lid, it fizzing like a coke (pop for the northerners....lol) can being opened, which I assume is ok. Anyway, here are the pics, and let me know what other info I need to provide so I can feel comfortable with this.

b/t/w, The skimmer is just kinda hanging there in an experimental stage, Nothing is tightened down, or glued, or in "concrete". I am trying to find where I want it before I make it permantent.

thanks guys

[liquafaction]

guess I can only do one at a time

here are the bubbles

thanks again guys

[OrionGirl]

Skimmers usually require a break in period, during which they will do some odd bubbling, and such. I'd let it run for about a week or two before making any serious changes.

Bubbles in the tank are bad for certain corals and sponges. Generally, anything that can tolerate exposure to air won't be hurt by bubbles.

[kreblak]

While I believe skimming to be necessary for a properly run tank, I hate them. I honestly hate skimmers. They are noisy, mine never work properly, and they are noisy. Did I mention that they are noisy? I have had one skimmer go crazy on me, and I've also had one decide that it wasn't really a skimmer, but was instead an $89 low flow powerhead that made a lot of noise, but no bubbles. My current skimmer is adequate, but annoying. Oh yeah, and it's noisy.

The DIY geek within me is coming up with a custom built silent skimmer. If it ever works, I'll post the blueprints. Currently, I have designed and built an impeller driven HOT skimmer that operated quieter than an electric shaver. Unfortunately, it melted down after the first 36 hours. I was using a motor taken from an electric R/C airplane. Turns out that those motors aren't designed for continuous operation in a saltwarer environment. I am now considering using a .40 cubic inch gas powered engine to run the skimmer. :cool:

Of course I am kidding about the gas engine.....

[liquafaction]

lol....

Do you guys think the set up is ok? I am not really worried about the noise, it is not really that loud to me, just sounds like coffe brewing. What I do not like is the air bubbles, and I am tired of doing things 3 and 4 times untill I like it. I am on my second try for this skimmer, so as history would have it, I have another try or two left. Should I just run it for a few days and see if it clears up? I do not have anything in the tank yet, but I do not want to be going through setting this thing up when I have stuff in the tank. One thing that I did notice is that when water flows into the sump, it seams to take all the junk with it, and the sump water is funky. The tank is finially starting to get cleared up.


I kinda thought this skimmer was superquiet in the tank by the way. I could sleep with it going.