Snowing when skimmer is on

RothChyld

RothChyld

AC Members
Feb 16, 2003
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Tampa, FL
www.cboss.com
I live in Florida and the only snow I seem to get is in my tank when I put the protein skimmer on. If its not on then the main pump does not shoot out the snow. The skimmer output goes into a bunch of liverock then down into the wet dry where the main pump takes it out.

My question is could the skimmer be causing my calcium to precipitate?
 
It could be but when they come out of the main jet they stay all over the tank. Ive seen my tank precipitate before and it sure looks like that to me but it could just be air bubbles (really small ones). I will try to put a rock or something closeby and see if air gathers under it or something.

I may increase the water level a little to see if that is all it is. *Potentially* the water coming from the skimmer contains so much air that its catching in the jet. Would that amount of air be detrimental in a reef tank? My sponge is at the bottom and probably far enough away that I doubt that would get air trapped in it.
 
I'd guess the stuff is very small bubbles. Despite all the hubbub about "microbubbles," there is not much evidence that they cause any problem except aesthetic issues.

You might try catching some of the output of the skimmer in a small jar, and see whether the stuff sinks (precipitate) or floats (bubbles).
 
Yes it does sound like bubbles.
What kind of skimmer do you have, cheap skimmers generally are crappy made and will blout out huge amounts of microbubbles, you can try a bubble trap if your skimmer is in sump.

I have heard of fish getting pop eye disease with microbubbles in the tank for an extended period of time. (may be untrue)

Otherwise buy a new/good quality skimmer if that is the issue.
 
Definitely bubbles. My skimmer doesn't have a brand name on it as I got it years ago when I was very green to the industry. Its fairly large but the brand may be a bad one. It might be time to invest in another one or try the bubble trap.
 
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