JBJ 24 gal nano cube deluxe issues... HELP

[jamiegrl]

OK i have a 24 gal jbj nano cube
the filter is completely messed up
the last chamber has the pump which obviously pumps water to the tank
If you have a nano cube you know what im talking about and if not here's a breif description
the pump peice sits at the bottom of the chamber. A plastic green tube connects it to a plastic elbow which directs the flow into the back of the tank
> directional flow
ll
ll tube
D pump
Ok the tube must be too big because it causes air bubbles to get into the line and blow bubbles all over the tank
I have put zip ties and resecured the tube a hundred times but nothing works
it works for like 5 mins n then leaks again
what can i do it fix this?
is there any type of plastic tube that would harm the tank? is there a certain replacement part I can buy?

 

[jacksdad]

A few things I would suggest, first check the tube itself. See if it has a hole in it or is cut. Second, check to see if the tube is secure at the pump. Also, is the water level in that chamber high enough? Is it covering the pump? If not the pump will suck air and that will cause the bubbles. Are you using the pump that came with the cube? If so you many want to upgrade to a maxijet 1200.
Bob.

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by jacksdad
http:///forum/post/2523086
A few things I would suggest, first check the tube itself. See if it has a hole in it or is cut. Second, check to see if the tube is secure at the pump. Also, is the water level in that chamber high enough? Is it covering the pump? If not the pump will suck air and that will cause the bubbles. Are you using the pump that came with the cube? If so you many want to upgrade to a maxijet 1200.
Bob.
+1 If the water level isnt high enough or there is a hole in your line somewhere. Air bubbles getting pushed into your tank usually means there is air getting in at the draw, not the exhaust. In other words the pump is sucking air and then pushing it out your exhaust line. If there was a hole on the exhaust end I dont think it would pull air in seeing as though its pushing out.

 

[kerriann]

i have a jbj 24 gal too and i had a problem similiar to this...it actually turned out the skimmer was too high so there wasn't enough water getting through...try lowering the skimmer just a bit to see if that helps because if it can't get enough water its obviously going to pump air

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by KerriAnn
http:///forum/post/2523102
i have a jbj 24 gal too and i had a problem similiar to this...it actually turned out the skimmer was too high so there wasn't enough water getting through...try lowering the skimmer just a bit to see if that helps because if it can't get enough water its obviously going to pump air
Ahhhh I didnt know the JBJ had a skimmer in it... I agree to check that first.

 

[jamiegrl]

k i did both suggestions and neither of them are the issue.
The water level is well above the pump and the skimmer isn't it issue.
I took the skimmer off and let the chambers flood and the pump is still blowing bubbles.
I took the pump out of the tank and cleaned it but still bubbles.
the only thing that seems to help is resecuring zip ties but they keep coming loose for some reason.
Even if i get the maxijet 1200 will i still need to purchase a tube to run it to the elbow at the top of the tank
any suggestions on the type of tube to get? are there any types that should not be purchased?

 

[jamiegrl]

and the bubbles aren't constant... they are sporatic for now but if i let it go the bubbles will be constant and then the tube will pop off and water will shoot everywhere
haha i learned that one the hard way and found 2 inches gone from the tank and the floor soaked

 

[kerriann]

try flipping the green tube around...there might be a hairline crack along the top that's causing it to pull air

 

[axle]

if all fails, just buy a new tube at the LFS and see what happens. it should cost like $1.00 for like 12-15 inches of the clear tubing. Cut off what you don't need but not too much. you don't want drive all the way back to the LFS to buy another $1.00 tubing if you mess up.
This way you can also check if there is too much build up inside of the tube and clean it also.

 

[rtspeed]

just cut the tube back some to a new spot that fits tight.

 

[jamiegrl]

all great ideas!!!
I resecured the tube again and increased the amount of water in the tank
the bubbles seem far less and sometimes don't occur at all!!
If it happens again I think I may buy clear tubing
if all that fails looks like I'll be getting a new pump!!!
I did find tubing at the LFS that would work. I was just curious because I know a funny story of college kids making beer bongs out of toxic plastic tubing

my rational guess is that the LFS wont sell toxic tubing but will double check just in case!!!