Micro bubbles

[trish&dave]

We currently have a WD running off our 120 gallon with a dart return pump. The plumbing from the dart runs to a 3 way splitter with 2 going to the built in overflows and one to a middle outflow that is behind the rock work. The 2 going to the overflow are "y'ed" off with two loc-lines. One is extended to about 12" and the other is around 6". The dart has a flow regulator before the actual pump that is probably 1/2 to 3/4 open.
What could be causing micro bubbles in the tank? There is plenty of water in the sump and no micro bubbles when the water reaches the outflow area of the sump. I know that is not good, but what will it actually do to the tank? What should I look out for?

 

[fishfreak1242]

Is the return pump completely submerged in water? Does it suck in air as it pumps water? Are all of your connections between your pipe completely glued and solid?

 

[mkzimms]

sounds like flow regulator sitting in front of the pump could be the issue. when a pump has restricted flow coming in its suction side it can create a cavitation around the prop. try opening the flow regulator all the way and see if the bubbles stop. you would be better to regulate the flow after the pump than before it.

 

[trish&dave]

Everything is hard plumbed back to the tank then I am using thick spa tubing running from the hard plumbed "y" to the outflow. I cranked the pumb and regulated each outlflow and still have ALOT of tiny bubbles. It is frustrating! The tank is beautiful but you have to look at all the micro bubbles floating around!

What will this do to my water quality until I can have someone look at it? As I promised in my other thread, I will post pictures today, got busy yesterday painting my sons room.

 

[trish&dave]

Here is a close up picture of the bubbles, you have to look closely. You can see pictures of my tank in my other post "help needed setting...filtration". Sorry could not resist putting one picture of the tank!

Honest feedback welcome!

 

[fishfreak1242]

Those micro bubbles are nothing to worry about. There are barely any based on your pics. They shouldn't be much of a problem unless you start seeing a lot more.

 

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by fishfreak1242
http:///forum/post/2679132
Those micro bubbles are nothing to worry about. There are barely any based on your pics. They shouldn't be much of a problem unless you start seeing a lot more.
The picture does not do it justice. It looks like a sand storm, but I know it is not blowing sand.

 

[mkzimms]

i know exactly what your dealing with, im going through the same thing now on my new project. its like the really small bubbles look like dust in a sunny room. in front of the power heads you can almost see the current in them. mine are so small and so many of them it almost looks like the water is cloudy. im breaking down all my plumbing this weekend and re-doing it.

 

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by mkzimms
http:///forum/post/2679186
i know exactly what your dealing with, im going through the same thing now on my new project. its like the really small bubbles look like dust in a sunny room. in front of the power heads you can almost see the current in them. mine are so small and so many of them it almost looks like the water is cloudy. im breaking down all my plumbing this weekend and re-doing it.
Exactly! That is why I am asking about what it might do to the water quality and my corals. I am switching to a refugium this weekend and I am not willing to redo all the plumbing for a temporary fix unless necessary. I have a brand new dart that I can use temporarily if necessary.

 

[mkzimms]

there are a few reasons why the bubbles are bad... they look like crap, can get stuck in fish gills, and have the potential for killing hard corals. but they will not affect your water quality.

 

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by mkzimms
http:///forum/post/2679223
there are a few reasons why the bubbles are bad... they look like crap, can get stuck in fish gills, and have the potential for killing hard corals. but they will not affect your water quality.
Well I have alot of hard coral, how does it hurt the coral? Fortunately we have not been able to catch the fish out of our 56, so fish are not a concern. I can deal with looking like crap until the weekend, I think I am going to try and fire the CL (see my other post) and maybe shut down the sump until I get the refugium set up. Any thoughts?