Microbubble problem getting old.....

the_bandit

the_bandit

Member
OK this is going to be complicated so please, stick with me. I absoluetly hate microbubbles. I have them because my protein skimmer in my 55g and I hate it. Now since starting up another tank, I have microbubbles. This is not because of my protein skimmer. I dont have one for this tank. Its a 40g with a 20g long sump/refugium. For some reason I cannot explain, the intake is dumping alot of air with water into the sump instead of all water. These arent just microbubbles. When I open it up all the way, large air bubbles are getting in too. The water could be crashing into the water via the overflow but Im not sure. I have a Mag 9.5 return pump if that matters.
What I have done to try and fix it:
1. Taken off PVC intake and return pipes, inspected them, and resilconed them back in place.
2. Put a normal clean sock on the intake tube to the sump to catch bubbles.
3. Made a heavy material sock to catch bubbles.
4. Bought a filter sock.
5. Used maxi-jet sponges in between baffles to catch bubbles.
6. Used new household sponges to catch bubbles.
7. Growing macroalgae to catch bubbles.
Im REALLY at a point where I am completely lost for answers. I have attatched a picture of what it looks like. Im postitive someone has an answer. Ive seen beautiful tanks microbubble-less.
Please I need an answer! Im counting on my favorite saltwater forum


 
the_bandit

the_bandit

Member
Ok. So Im kind of a retard and did a little more explore with the intake PVC pipe and narrowed it down to something wrong with the PVC. The water going into the black pvc piece is crashing and making the bubbles.
Is there some sort of thing I can make that will stop this? Basically so the water smoothly goes into the sump.
 
calbert0

calbert0

Member
have you tried venting your drain line by drilling a hole in the cap on your standpipe? Look up durso style standpipes
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
Do you have an actual pic of your sump? Im trying to follow but not sure I am. Where your water returns INTO the sump,is the pipe ABOVE the water line OR below? If it is below,how far below is it?
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
From the picture,everything looks ok. Your bubble traps look to be correctly set-up. Can you physically SEE the bubbles in the return section of the SUMP?.or are you seeing them as they RETURN INTO the tank? You will always have bubble in the return area...but for them to travel thru all your bubble traps and into the return section is doubtful. I am guessing you are sucking air in from one of your lines..could be a bad pvc connection or your pump has an air pocket in it.
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
Heres some good things to consider also.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/367860/tiny-bubbles-from-return-line
 
rigdon87

rigdon87

Member
hey bandit hows that sock workin out for ya? iv'e been debating whether to get one or not,but if i can save the extra 50 bucks and just use a regular sock then i will.
any info is appreciated.
 
posiden

posiden

Active Member
Are the bubbles in your sump or the display?
I would also get your heater in the water more. I am pretty sure it needs more coverage on it.
 
the_bandit

the_bandit

Member
Yeah there are bubbles in the sump itself. I can see them travel from the intake pipe all the way to the pump.
A sock works good good but microbubbles still get through. I suggest gooing to a sewing store and buying Interfacing. Its a thick material that captures the bubbles very well. And doesn't cost $50 to my knowledge. All you have to do is sew or have someone you know sew them together. I would make it 2 or 3 layers thick. That works for me. The sock was originally made to put over a pool cleaning device but we had a spare one and it works good for me.
When I remove the black PVC piece off the intake from the overflow box and there is about an inch of just watch going straight to the sump, there are no bubbles. Its got to be the PVC. Is there any other way I can get the water from the overflow box into the intake pipe smoothly so there is no crashing.
 
rigdon87

rigdon87

Member
Originally Posted by The_Bandit
http:///forum/post/3161469
A sock works good good but microbubbles still get through. I suggest gooing to a sewing store and buying Interfacing. Its a thick material that captures the bubbles very well. And doesn't cost $50 to my knowledge. All you have to do is sew or have someone you know sew them together. I would make it 2 or 3 layers thick. That works for me. The sock was originally made to put over a pool cleaning device but we had a spare one and it works good for me..
Ok kool,I'm not worried so much about the bubbles as its not an issue for me.I was juss gonna get one to remove the larger particles out of the water column as i'm not running any filter pads,socks or carbon.Does that regular sock work pretty good at doin that?
 
rigdon87

rigdon87

Member

Originally Posted by The_Bandit
http:///forum/post/3161091
OK this is going to be complicated so please, stick with me. I absoluetly hate microbubbles. I have them because my protein skimmer in my 55g and I hate it. Now since starting up another tank, I have microbubbles. This is not because of my protein skimmer. I dont have one for this tank. Its a 40g with a 20g long sump/refugium. For some reason I cannot explain, the intake is dumping alot of air with water into the sump instead of all water. These arent just microbubbles. When I open it up all the way, large air bubbles are getting in too. The water could be crashing into the water via the overflow but Im not sure. I have a Mag 9.5 return pump if that matters.
What I have done to try and fix it:
1. Taken off PVC intake and return pipes, inspected them, and resilconed them back in place.
2. Put a normal clean sock on the intake tube to the sump to catch bubbles.
3. Made a heavy material sock to catch bubbles.
4. Bought a filter sock.
5. Used maxi-jet sponges in between baffles to catch bubbles.
6. Used new household sponges to catch bubbles.
7. Growing macroalgae to catch bubbles.
Im REALLY at a point where I am completely lost for answers. I have attatched a picture of what it looks like. Im postitive someone has an answer. Ive seen beautiful tanks microbubble-less.
Please I need an answer! Im counting on my favorite saltwater forum

lkm
 
rigdon87

rigdon87

Member
I "think" i may have just solved your problem.there is air that get stuck in the top of that cap and its like gurgling and theres no where for that air to go and thats why you see air bubbles from the over flow
 
rigdon87

rigdon87

Member
Try drilling a hole on the top of the cap and instert some airline tubing and smear some silicone around it,this will let the air escape instead of being sucked down into the sump.give it a try and ill bet that will fix it


should look something like this.
 
the_bandit

the_bandit

Member
Well I already drilled holes in side the cap but I did what you suggested. I put the tubing inside it pretty far. Not sure if it did the trick but Ill wait and see. Im not sure how far I am suppose to put it down. It doesnt look like it is making a difference.
Thanks for all your help though I really appreciate it
 
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