Micro Bubbles Galore...Unfortunately

[yannifish]

My sump has been running for about two months now, and I recently switched pumps to a Mag-Drive 7. Since then, there have been tons of micro bubbles being pumped into the tank. I know it isn't the skimmer, so I don't know what else would be causing the bubbles. Any suggestions?
The pump is plumbed with hard PVC.
Thank you in advance!

 

[ladyreefseeker]

I have actually had the same problem for about 10 years! The problem for me came with the tank...I'm interested in the advice too. Your sump is new but is the set up new too? What did you have before the Mag7?

 

[spanko]

Air leak in plumbing from putting in new pump especially if the bubbles weren't there before.

 

[acrylic51]

Agree with Henry.....What type of plumbing are you running? Glued joints, or threaded? Is it a straight shot from the output of the pump back into the tank?

 

[yannifish]

It is glued joints.
There are two 45 degree elbows between the pump and the tank (and a check valve), plus the u-tube to go over the edge of the tank (its not drilled).

 

[spanko]

Yeah, I think you jarred a joint enough changing the pump out to cause an air leak.

 

[yannifish]

What can I do to fix that?
Smear some silicon on the joints?

 

[2quills]

I suspect that if there was a comprimised joint somewhere that you'd see water leaking since there is pressure on that line. Are you sure that your pump isn't sucking air? Sometimes a larger pump can create a vortex in the return section and ingest some air.

 

[yannifish]

Upon inspecting all the joints today, I did notice some strange salt creep formations that weren't there before I installed the pump.
The pump isn't sucking in air, I know that.
Maybe the bubbles are just in the sump. Coming from the tank, the water flows through PVC, and then enters the sump through a large cut in the side of the PVC (so the end of the pipe is resting on the bottom of the sump, with a large notch cut out for the water to flow through). The notch is under the water level, so all air in the pipe is forced under the water. Could this be a cause?
How could I prevent bubbles from entering the system at this location?

 

[acrylic51]

With jarring a joint you wouldn't necessarily get a water leak. You could use silicone to try to pin point the air being sucked but ultimately you'll want to replace the section.

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/381936/micro-bubbles-galore-unfortunately#post_3330446
With jarring a joint you wouldn't necessarily get a water leak. You could use silicone to try to pin point the air being sucked but ultimately you'll want to replace the section.
I don't know man, I can't see how air would be being pulled in on a line under pressure.

I could be wrong though. On a drain line with an external overflow I can totally understand since the syphon would create a vacuum.
Yannifish, we need some pics bud...asap! Head to toe shots of the set up!
Definately look for any bubbles that might be making their way to the pump because if they are then that is probably what the problem is.

 

[al&burke]

I guess the only way a leak would be a problem on the positive (discharge side) would be either right at the outlet of the pump or any of the outlet piping that is underwater still in the sump, bubbles would then get into the pump and be forced back into the display. Definatell look for vortexes (eddy's) at the inlet to the pump, as Corey stated. Good luck. I had huge problem with my Coral life PS when I first set it up - it works good now, as long as I watch my Ca & KH.

 

[yannifish]

I'll see what I can do for pics.
What can I do to prevent bubble from entering the sump from the overflow? Upon closer inspection, I noticed there are tons of bubble in the main section of the sump, before the pump.
So, it's not the skimmer, therefore they have to be coming from the overflow pipe.

 

[acrylic51]

If there is no bubbles being sucked in at the intake of the pump, then somewhere on the retun line back to the tank the line/fitting is sucking/drawing air introducing the bubbles. Is there micro bubbles in the return section of the sump where your pump is located?

 

[yannifish]

There are micro bubbles everywhere in the sump, I can see them going through the baffles. Isn't the purpose of the baffles to keep micro bubbles out of the return section (and maintaina constant water level)?
The bubbles are coming from the drain. Would a filter sock stop this?
Can I make one?
Does a filter sock have to be replaced, or just rinsed daily?

 

[acrylic51]

So your saying the bubbles are being introduced through the drain from the DT? A filter sock could possibly help, and yes they need to be cleaned regularly!!!! The purpose of the baffles to to make the bubbles pop. I'm having a brain fart so what are the dimensions on the sump and what flow rate are you running through the sump. If the flow rate is to fast through the sump the baffles aren't given a fair shake at making the bubbles pop. Is your drain line submerged in the sump or above the water line dumping the water in?

 

[yannifish]

The sump is a standard ten gallon tank, with the baffles one inch apart. The pump is 700gph, so at a four foot head that's probably about 300-350gph.
I placed a filter media bag over the end of the drain pipe, and even though it has holes big enough for the bubbles to get through, it still helped.
The end of the drain is below the sump water level.

 

[acrylic51]

Any new updates on the running of the sump?

 

[yannifish]

Not really.
I'm going to re plumb the drain to allow for an algae scrubber, so I'll let you know how that goes, and if it makes any difference in the micro bubbles.