How to deal with micro bubbles?

G

gwhunter

Guest
I've got and issue with micro bubbles. I don't have too much room in my sump between my skimmer and return pump. I have a sponge on the intake of my return pump and have changed the orientation of the skimmer and return pump but nothing seems to help. I've just changed over to this system from dual mechanical filters. I've read the bubbles aren't good for the fish and I don't care for the look either. Is this something that will go away?
Matt
 
posiden

posiden

Active Member
They aren't going to go away if they are caused by your skimmer and the skimmer is still running. If the bubbles are caused by air trapped in the foam covering the intake to the pump then they should subside. You need to find the source of the bubbles. Try turning off the skimmer to see if the bubbles go away. If that doesn't help then with the skimmer off, remove the sponge. If this still doesn't help then I would say you are sucking in air from the drain plumbing.
Maybe a couple of pics?? They would help out a lot. If it is the skimmer you ?might? be able to add into the outlet and re-route it to give the bubbles time to disapate.

You might also be able to lower the water level in the skimmer to alieviate the bubbles leaving the skimmer. I don't know the skimmer you have, but either the valve on the outlet or by raising up the skimmer to decrease the water level inside.
 
G

gwhunter

Guest
I've been having a level control issue in the sump,but I think it was from a gate valve on the return line. Today I changed the configuration so the return line is larger with a ball valve instead. I've got a precision 125 skimmer in the sump and notice it's very sensative to water level changes. I've had water in the collection cup a few times. When the skimmer is bubbling how close to the top should I let the water get? I've been trying to run it an inch or so below. Is this ok? My skimmer didn't have any instructions so I've emailed the manufacture for some.
Matt
 
salt210

salt210

Active Member
Ive got the water level on my skimmer set to where it is actually inside the conical portion and I seem to be getting a good amount of very dark skimmate off of a cheaper skimmer.
As for the bubbles are the skimmer and return pump in the same section? Pics if you can get them would be helpful
 
G

gwhunter

Guest
Yes the skimmer and return are in the same section. I don't have any other place to put them. I've got the return of the skimmer and the intake of the return pump as far apart as possible. I've got a lot of surface agitation so I'm wondering if that's where the bubbles are actually coming from. I really don't see any in the sump. I'll try to snap a pic or two. If the water level in my sump moves at all it sends the skimmer into a tail spin.
Matt
 
salt210

salt210

Active Member
it oculd be possible that the bubbles are coming from surface agitation, but IMO it would take a lot to do so. When I had my pump and skimmer in the same area of the sump it would do this as the water coming from the exhaust tube on the skimmer would create the bubbles.
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
The skimmer is going to be an issue for sure. They really should be placed in areas where the water levels don't vary.
How many inches of water is above your return pump. Not enough water and you can suck air down.
 
G

gwhunter

Guest
I actually discovered the source of the bubbles. It's coming from my bio wheel. It looked like it was from the sump return because they were being blown around by the returns exhaust. I'm going to remove the bio wheel once the wet dry is built up it's bacteria.
Matt
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top