Berlin skimmer problem

[skimmer1]

I am currently running a berlin skimmer which seems to work great until I stick my hands in the water. After that, the bubbles die down and stop for a couple hours until they build up again. Is this from the oils in my skin or is there a problem with my skimmer. Does this happen to anyone else...Is this normal?

~Adam

 

[flameangel1]

Adam,,
This is completely normal and is caused by the oils on your skin.

 

[reefland]

Totally normal. You'll find lots of things can make a skimmer go flat. Oils from your skin, various things sprayed in the room, feeding. Just about everything can effect the surface tension of water. When that happens the skimmer goes flat. It is amazing how fast it goes flat. You'd think it would take some time to reach the skimmer. But it typically only takes seconds.