Microbubble Madness!

[tonypal85]

Ok well I may be over reacting a little bit, but I do have micobubbles in my tank and I hate it! It isnt really noticeable with only my VHO actinics on, but when the MH;s come on it is very noticeable! I guess because the light bounces off the little bubbles much more. I have a 180 gallon tank with a 40 gallon breeder sump. My skimmer (asm g3) sits in the middle of my sump and the return pumps are on the far right side. The drain pipes are on the far left. I cut a block of foam filter to fit over my drain pipes to slow the water down and cut down on air bubbles entering my sump. I also have one divider betweeen the drain pipes and the skimmer. Then there are 3 baffles betweeen the skimmer and the return pumps. Somehow microbubbles are still entering my tank! Here is what I think I should do, so let me know if you think it is worth a shot. I want to take my sump back out and remove the divider between the drain pipes and the skimmer. I want to widen that section so both my skimmer and drain pipes are in the same section. Then I will re-silicone that divider and add about 2-3 more baffles. Hopefully this will help get rid of micro bubbles. What do you all think??? All suggestions are welcome
~Tony

[reefD]

tough situation. try all options. if pump return area is free of bubbles then they are being created in the loop and may be aggitation. always consider this . pressure builds up and creates this.

[scarter]

I agree reefd, just stare at the sump, watch it and look for the bubbles. do you see them in the pump section? if not it may be the return lines

[AZDesertRat]

You don't mention anything about the return pump or how it is plumbed? If you have microbubbles in the sump they should show up when you shine a flashlight through from side to side. 3 baffles should take care of the bubbles if velocities are not too high and they are configured correctly.

[tonypal85]

I'll shine a flashlight through my return section and see if there are any microbubbles. If there are then I really don't know what to do besides adding more baffles. My drain line is plummed using PVC. I have two 45 degree fittings on each drain line. I'll try to get a picture so you guys can see. As far as return. I have some crappy pumps that I really need to upgrade. RIO 800 gph, however these are plummed using flexible hose.

[scarter]

you shouldent need more baffles then that, especially with the realitively low flow rate through there. I am wondering if the baffles are installed correctly. PICS will help....

[kevensquint]

I had them created by a couple of pin-hole leaks in a few joints on my PVC CL. So, it may not come from the sump at all.

[tonypal85]

Well the water from my drain line dumps alot of air bubbles into my sump, however I have fitted the ends with a foam filter pad to slow the water down and cut down on the air bubbles entering the sump.

[SunnyX]

Add some filter socks, that did the trick for me.

I orderd 10 filter socks, I change them as needed and toss them into the washer once a week. [http://www.filterbag.com/

[tonypal85]

How often do you have to change your filter socks out???

[jester805]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7376665#post7376665 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kevensquint
I had them created by a couple of pin-hole leaks in a few joints on my PVC CL. So, it may not come from the sump at all.

What does the "CL" stand for?

I have some microbubbles and am wondering if it's coming from the plumbing. Most joints I have sealed with PVC cement, but a few are not sealed so I can take it a part for cleaning.

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7377878#post7377878 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jester805
What does the "CL" stand for?

I have some microbubbles and am wondering if it's coming from the plumbing. Most joints I have sealed with PVC cement, but a few are not sealed so I can take it a part for cleaning.

CL= Closed Loop

[Racenrich]

I second the filter socks...i use a 250 micron on my system with about a 1400gph overflow....lots of bubbles come into the overflow chamber i have....one thing i changed that made a HUGE differnce was to have the return PVC outlets to sit just ABOVE the water in your sump.......this allows for more air to escape before it actually makes contact with the water in sump....HTH.

Here is a pic to show you the setup im currently running.
RJK

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/xcmtbkr/ed83edcf.jpg

[tonypal85]

How often do you change your filter sock?? I really dont want to have to change something every other day. Please let me know. By the way thank you everyone for suggestions.

[Racenrich]

hey tony...i end up changing mine about every 3-4 weeks....pretty much when it starts getting to the point it may overflow, i change it.

[jester805]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7377795#post7377795 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Add some filter socks, that did the trick for me.

I orderd 10 filter socks, I change them as needed and toss them into the washer once a week. [http://www.filterbag.com/

Running them through the washing machine doesn't create problems for your tank?? I would think the laundry detergent might not get rinsed out 100%. :hmm1: