Getting rid of microbubbles...

[palmer]

I've got a 50gal bo-tank with a QuietOne 3000 pump, 780gph. I have a ball valve inline with the pump. Regardless if I have the valve at full flow, 3/4 or 1/2 flow I've still got bubbles. For the drain line into the refugium, there is a micro catch bag on the end of that and I have the sponges between both baffles before the water returns to the pump, and a sponge around the pump intake. Any suggestions as to how to get rid of the bubbles???? Could the bubbles be forming as a result of turbulence at the 90 degree elbow for the flow return to the tank? If so, then wouldn't everyone have bubbles?

 

[skiutah]

I have a 120 reef and I was getting a lot of microbubbles too. I thought it was my skimmer, but it wasn't. Come to find out, I had a small leak in my return up to the top of the tank. It was sucking in a small amount of air and kicking the bubbles into the tank. Just an idea you might want to check out.

 

[palmer]

I'll check on that and respond...

 

[jupoc911]

i would defintily check the tubing for an air leak. it sounds like as venturi pump in which the valve is open all the way.