Micro bubble Problem

[Vapour1ze]

What else can I do besides filter socks? Filter sock works great but I have to change often! Like every two days. This is a basement sump that returns to first floor. 30' total run. Obviously there is way too many bubbles without a sock on. Any ideas?

Sump video:
http://youtu.be/tWibwotf2Ts

[Kearnel]

Can you put any sort of a pre filter on the intake of your return. Mine would shoot a load of micro bubbles into DT so thats all I did. It's definitely not 100% but it's a lot better than what it was. Downside i suppose is it has to be cleaned a fair amount or you'll suffer a bit of head loss. Sorry if I'm not answering your questions properly, I didn't watch the video I just assumed that your problem was bubbles being sent to the DT.

[skimjim]

sit back and enjoy the oxygenated water. ever been snorkeling? crapload of microbubbles in nature ;)

[Kearnel]

The damn things stick to everything, thats what drove me crazy.

[Kearnel]

I actually just watched the video. Where your water pours into your sump is just like mine. With mine I took an empty juice container, cut the capped end off so it was square, drilled a hole in the other end that was the size of the pipe, shoved the container over the pipe and put some foam inside the container to catch the water and stop it from splashing and causing those bubbles. It slows the water down, allows a good air/water mix and also helps silence the water coming into the sump. I hope that helps and you can see what I'm trying to explain.

[Vapour1ze]

I actually just watched the video. Where your water pours into your sump is just like mine. With mine I took an empty juice container, cut the capped end off so it was square, drilled a hole in the other end that was the size of the pipe, shoved the container over the pipe and put some foam inside the container to catch the water and stop it from splashing and causing those bubbles. It slows the water down, allows a good air/water mix and also helps silence the water coming into the sump. I hope that helps and you can see what I'm trying to explain.


Good idea!

[Vapour1ze]

Picture is worth a thousand words though :)

Do you have?

[Kearnel]

I'll see what I can do for you.

[Kearnel]

Ok, here goes. If you look at the pic you'll see the bluish color air line then right directly behind it is my water pipe from the tank to the sump. At the end of it you'll see the container I used that's got the pipe shoved through it and inside of the container is foam, the kind that comes with mag pumps. I just got some from Depot, I think it's some kind of gutter filter foam. I cut the pipe so it was above the water line, that eliminates the dreaded gurgle and only put foam in half of the container to get maximum air to water contact. The container is below the water to eliminate any splashing and air bubbles. It works great for me.

[Kearnel]

Ahh, I forgot the pic.

[Kearnel]

I hope it shows up.

[Kearnel]

I know it's hard to see, my sump is a bit crowded but hopefully you get the idea.

[whosurcaddie]

Why dont you just build a second set of over under baffles. You could also raise the water level so its not splashing.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i1/Baffles/bafflesart.htm

[iceet]

Dude that's an awesome DIY protein skimmer stand. Definitely beats my upside down doggy bowl.

[Vapour1ze]

Ok, here goes. If you look at the pic you'll see the bluish color air line then right directly behind it is my water pipe from the tank to the sump. At the end of it you'll see the container I used that's got the pipe shoved through it and inside of the container is foam, the kind that comes with mag pumps. I just got some from Depot, I think it's some kind of gutter filter foam. I cut the pipe so it was above the water line, that eliminates the dreaded gurgle and only put foam in half of the container to get maximum air to water contact. The container is below the water to eliminate any splashing and air bubbles. It works great for me.

So the bottom is cut off the container, water falls from pipe, through the foam mesh stuff, and then down into sump? Correct?

Why dont you just build a second set of over under baffles. You could also raise the water level so its not splashing.


http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i1/Baffles/bafflesart.htm

I could, but that would involve draining sump, re-caulking more custom cut glass that would take time to receive... Lot of work for an already in production sump. I am going to find another work around.

Dude that's an awesome DIY protein skimmer stand. Definitely beats my upside down doggy bowl.

Thank You :)

[Kearnel]

Yes you are correct, bottom of container (actually top) is cut off to make it a square opening or whatever shape the container is. The pipe pokes through about an in or so and I have the foam towards the bottom of the container, maybe 3" of foam inside. I definitely realize it's not the most advanced set up but hey, it works and cost me 12 bucks for the block of foam. Raising my pipe out of the water took my gurgle away, container stops splashing and salt creep, foam slows the water down and removes almost all the bubbles.

[Vapour1ze]

Yes you are correct, bottom of container (actually top) is cut off to make it a square opening or whatever shape the container is. The pipe pokes through about an in or so and I have the foam towards the bottom of the container, maybe 3" of foam inside. I definitely realize it's not the most advanced set up but hey, it works and cost me 12 bucks for the block of foam. Raising my pipe out of the water took my gurgle away, container stops smashing and salt creep, foam slows the water down and removes almost all the bubbles.



Awesome, If I have time this weekend. I know what I'm doing.

[Kearnel]

If beauty is what your after then some plexiglass and a bit of time will get you the same thing but will look like a clean design. I'll likely be doing just that when I change my sump to a Trigger Systems Ruby Sump but that's a couple months away.

[Kearnel]

Just remember to clean the foam every now and then because it'll get dirty. Hope it works for you, it did for me.

[Vapour1ze]

Just remember to clean the foam every now and then because it'll get dirty. Hope it works for you, it did for me.

So how is the foam held into the container? How doesn't it fall right out the bottom from the force of the water crashing down on it?

[Kearnel]

It's not very dense foam so water passes through with relative ease, just cut it so it's a tight fit, it'll stay put but if it doesn't put something across the bottom of the container to hold it in place. Easy cheesy.

[Kearnel]

I should mention to that at the top of the container I drilled two little holes about as round as a pencil or smaller, all that air being caught has to go someplace so drilling those little holes gives it that place to escape and it's no place near the water. I can actually feel the air rushing out of mine.

[Vapour1ze]

Excellent! Thank you!

[shellsea]

I used a pvc pipe filled with live rock rubble vs. the foam. No weekly cleaning. Kind of a poor mans bubble trap like Marc from mels Reef does on his sumps.

[Vapour1ze]

I used a pvc pipe filled with live rock rubble vs. the foam. No weekly cleaning. Kind of a poor mans bubble trap like Marc from mels Reef does on his sumps.


Sounds like a good idea too. Can you post pic? Does the water flow through the rubble and then out the bottom of the rubble or how does this work? I'm interested.

[Kearnel]

As am I, when I redo my sump I'm definitely interested in simplified designs.

[whosurcaddie]

I could, but that would involve draining sump, re-caulking more custom cut glass that would take time to receive... Lot of work for an already in production sump. I am going to find another work around.


No it wouldn't look at the link.

[acorral]

On the video I can see the two problems that you need to correct...

The bubble trap is not working... You can see that bubbles go down after the first glass, that is why I always recommend under - over bubble traps, if bubbles are up the watter you should let pass ti the next section is the water on the bottom... I would just remove the first glass on the bubble trap so it only forces water to get sucked from the bottom and then released from the top.

At the end of your bubble trap the waterfall is generating bubbles... Raise the water level so there is no waterfall.

[acorral]

Quick video of my sump to show you what I am talking about...

https://vimeo.com/109399295

[Vapour1ze]

Thanks, I never thought about raising the water level on the right side. I will have to do that.

[acorral]

Also you can see on the first section where the drain is that having the water flow from the bottom all the bubbles stay trapped on the surface and the water flows bubble-free..

[shellsea]

Sounds like a good idea too. Can you post pic? Does the water flow through the rubble and then out the bottom of the rubble or how does this work? I'm interested.

I drilled several holes in bottom of 3" pvc pipe to allow water out the bottom. Can't do a pic of mine of mine right now but it was poor man's DIY version of

[Vapour1ze]

I drilled several holes in bottom of 3" pvc pipe to allow water out the bottom. Can't do a pic of mine of mine right now but it was poor man's DIY version of

This gives me a great idea! Everyone, thank you so much!!! :)