micro bubbles just won't quit !!!

[Tangster]

I ran a X-L for yrs still do on another system I have.. How is the two discharge tubs plumbed ? Art you just letting the water run out and fall into the sump ?
I use a hang on box a specimen display cup and fill it with carbon and floss the let the tube dump into that .
I silicone 2. 1.5 inch PVC couplings and sections of pipe to make the box set just above normal water level of the sump..
Or you can just add some male adapters and pipe the outlet down to just above the sumps water line. that should do it. Also how old is this tank ? If its still rather a new set up then the water is not fully cured and aged and that will cause bubbles ..

[smitty65]

The tank is about 3 weeks old. I have tried the discharge tubes just under the water line, just above the water line and inside a tall tupperware so that the water would flow over the top. The latter caused the skimmer collection cup to overflow quickly so I yanked them out. I tried sponges on the tubes to help eliminate the bubbles but that didn't work either. I have an extra cup from a hang-on Typhoon and will try that but I hope it doesn't cause another overflow. I am wondering if having to plumb the skimmer outside the sump could be the culprit? We are going to replumb it as it is in a bad spot for the time being. I would say that the length of tubing ( I am using the flexible pond tubing. The black kind that is flexible but won't crink. ) is roughly 12" from pump to skimmer. The skimmer sits just above the sump as drilling is not an option. If this is the trouble than I am up the creek. The place we have to move the skimmer to will lengthen that tubing to about 16".
Also, even though it is doing a great job skimming, it is surging. I read the instructions for correcting this but they are vague and hard to understand. Finally, everytime I have to unplug the pump for dumping the cup, I have to pull the pump out for it to restart. Is this normal ?

[Tangster]

your problem is new water my friend it will get better as they water ages all mixed saltwater is fizzy for about 10 weeks that raw stingy smell will fade and the bubble will fade.. You can not have the discharge tubes blocked or submerged and the little vent ports onto at the ells also can't be blocked . The red sea Berlin is dual chambered to prevent the bubbles I have never had an issue with them in any tank after the tank was aged. How do you have the sump piped from the tank down ? Can you post a picture for me to see of the sump ? I'd also add at 3 weeks you have little need to run a skimmer really.. The reason you have to cut the skimmer off to remove the cup is the water is to fizzy and you have the air to open and to much water entering it .. What is the Salinity of the water ? and what pump did you get not the turbo needle wheel ? I hope

[smitty65]

Thanks again Tangster for the help. The pump is the turbo and the fact that it won't start back up after having the power shut off makes me a little nervous. I have used coral life super skimmers and a HOB Typhoon in the past with no problem. I am so disgusted with the bubbles that I am considering using my coral life ss 125. I know it isn't large enough but I read somewhere that microbubbles were very bad for the fish. As of now, I have shut off the skimmer and am watching for bubbles in case the skimmer isn't the culprit. I won't know until I turn the lights on before I leave for work.
If the skimmer isn't the cause what in the name of Fred could it be????? I have a carbon filter in one of the baffles leading to the output and I have the flow turned down as low as I can get on the fuge. I am also using the slip on sponges on the returns. I have set up 4 different tanks in the past and have never had this much trouble with bubbles. Then again, I am new to using a sump and have a sinking feeling that's where I am screwing up. I will try and get a picture of the sump soon. The tank was painted black and I am still scraping off the remainder of the paint on the side I work from.