Micro Bubbles

[onux20]

Morning,

 

I did a ~30g water change last night. I changed the filter sock. Cleaned the skimmer cup (ASM-G3). And replaced the foam filter on the skimmer. When I fired everything back up things looked normal. About three hours later I come back in to find the skimmer area of the sump cloudy. I freak out and ran to the tank. The lights were off but best I could tell everything was fine. I go back to the sump and realize they are micro bubbles...a LOT of micro bubbles. I went to bed hoping it would resolve itself by morning. This AM the bubbles are still there. Looks like the baffles are keeping them mostly in the sump.

 

The skimmer if producing bubbles, obviously, but not producing any foam. I pulled the pump to check for obstructions and give a quick clean. Air tube is clear, nothing impeding the operation of the needle wheel.

 

Any thoughts on what's causing this? This hasn't happened in the past. It may take an hour or so to produce foam but never this long.

 

Thanks for looking.

Ron

[Origami]

Salinity? Kink in the air line? Output side of the skimmer too open?

[jason the filter freak]

typically a shift in salinity or contaminant in the water did you wash before playing in your tank?

[onux20]

Salinity? Kink in the air line? Output side of the skimmer too open?

I checked salinity this Am and its good. 1.026. Normally 1.025. I did raise the outlet of the skimmer...no immediate effect.

 

typically a shift in salinity or contaminant in the water did you wash before playing in your tank?

Not sure on washing. I dont think I was any dirtier or cleaner than normal.

 

Could it be the filter sock...maybe some residual soap from the last cleaning? I dont use soap but some may have been left in the machine from the previous load. OR the new foam cover for the skimmer outlet?

 

Hmmmmmm you might be on to something. Thanks.

Ron

[Coral Hind]

Was the new saltwater allowed to age at least a day after mixing before adding?

[jason the filter freak]

anything that changes the surface tension of your tank water. soap from washing filter socks, oil on your hands from cooking, residual oils from machining proscess of that new piece of equipment that u just added, "stuff" in the water from using a lot of frag expoxy and super glue in a fragging and mounting frenzy... etc etc.

[Coral Hind]

Is the water level in the skimmer where it was before? You might have lowered the riser pipe when adding the sponge back on.

[onux20]

Was the new saltwater allowed to age at least a day after mixing before adding?

Added a half cup of salt to get sg up to proper level about 45 min before change.

Edited July 28, 2010 by onux20

[flowerseller]

Added a half cup of salt to get sg up to proper level about 45 min before change.

That's it, you're screwed.

 

Sometimes I get mb's for a while after a w/c for no apparent reason other than I'm expecting guests in a day or two.

 

A water level that is now allowing bubbles or the ability to create a vortex causing bubbles is the likely cause. Like David said, check skimmer output level.

Residue left on fliter socks usually shows up in skimmer going nuts for a while.

I'm having a bbq chicken sandwich for lunch.

[CHUBAKAH]

I'd also check the connection between the pump to skimmer for leaks. The ASM's are notorious for leaking at the grommet and can give the effect you are describing.

 

I had a rib eye, baked potato, and green beans for dinner.

 

In laws leave tomorrow to go back home.

[Amuze]

I second checking the connection from pump to skimmer. Mine pops out easily. I had spaghetti with garlic bread and a salad for dinner.