Microbubble problem getting old.....

the_bandit

the_bandit

Member
Sorry Posiden it doesn't make much sense to me. Is there any way you can show me what you mean? I'll link a pic of the sump. Maybe you can edit it in paint.
I did go through today and take apart the plumping to check for leaks. There didn't seem to be any. I took off some of the zip ties that weren't doing anything and just usedthe tightening clamps. I really cranked on them to make them as tight as possible. I resiliconed some areas to see if that would help but it didnt seem to make a difference.
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
Bandit,like renogaw said...you will get bubbles in your sump where the water enters the sump, no matter what (almost). However,that is why you have a sump and all those baffles to diffuse them. You say the bubbles are in the "intake tube"...Im not sure what you are refering to.%%
 
the_bandit

the_bandit

Member
Hope this helps with confusion
Ive pretty much accepted the fact that I will have microbubbles to a certain extent. There has got to be something I can do that will help though.
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
mag 9.5 is way too big of a return, i only have a mag 5 in my 20 gallon regular. the only thing you need to do to fix your sump is to get a piece of glass cut, the width of your tank and about 6" tall. just silicone it in on the last part. or if you just want to try it, get a piece of plexiglass and do it. 5 bucks max.
you could also just flip the supply and return and see if that fixes it, but that baffle is way too high.
and i wasn't thinking your sponges would be causing micro bubble issues. think on what i said (household sponges have antibacterial agents in them), and then think on what we DEPEND (bacteria...) on in our tanks...
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
Originally Posted by ifirefight
http:///forum/post/3163107
You will have them in your sump,but there is NO reason to have them in the display tank.
sure there is, he's got his water flowing too fast through the sump and they cannot dissipate before getting sucked into the tank
 
the_bandit

the_bandit

Member
So what you are saying is just add another baffle where the return pump is?
What size pump should I have on this tank?
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
mag 5 will give about 350gph, mag 7 about 500. mag 5 is a little too slow for me, i get cyano buildup on my chaeto, so you may want a mag 7. i personally don't care, since my tank has way too much flow already.
i could go take a video of all my bubbles in the inlet chamber, and show you the little to no bubbles in the outlet if you want.
 
the_bandit

the_bandit

Member
My problem is I have to keep the intake valve open all the way in order to keep the return pump from running dry from lack of water flow. The bubbles are moving too fast to pop inside the sump so they return to the DT.
This is what you are saying, correct?
And about the baffle. You said I should just add another baffle to the return pump side?
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/3163109
sure there is, he's got his water flowing too fast through the sump and they cannot dissipate before getting sucked into the tank
I meant that there is no reason to settle for micro bubbles in the display. It can be fixed. I believe you are correct with the pump size theory.
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
Originally Posted by The_Bandit
http:///forum/post/3163123
My problem is I have to keep the intake valve open all the way in order to keep the return pump from running dry from lack of water flow. The bubbles are moving too fast to pop inside the sump so they return to the DT.
This is what you are saying, correct?
And about the baffle. You said I should just add another baffle to the return pump side?
yes, i feel your water is moving too fast through the sump to pop. try choking down the return ball valve
yes, i feel you should add another baffle to the return pump side.
 
calbert0

calbert0

Member
I just made a diagram to help explain what poseidon is saying....
This way you reduce the flow to the DT without restricting your pump.
 
the_bandit

the_bandit

Member
Ok. So.
I put my Mag 9.5 on CL to trade for a Mag 7. Hopefully I'll get some hits.
I have fine tuned the intake and return enough so there isnt any bubbles coming through the intake and the return isnt running dry.
I am Houdini!
Now, the tank is cloudy. Really cloudy. I placed a sock of carbon in the sump a couple days ago. I removed all sponges and gates so there is no extra detrius build up. I haven't stirred up the SB or moved the rocks.
Its a type of murkeyness that I cant remove. I have a filter sock on the intake and a small sponges for Maxijets on the return pump. The glass is as clean as its ever been and there isnt any film algae on the tank.
I just cant catch a break.
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
you need the prefilter on the mag pump to help clear up your water, plus i put bonded filter material in the return baffles and it gets rid of a ton of nastiness.
 
posiden

posiden

Active Member
Bandit,
I wouldn't stress too much about the water being cloudy. Since this is a new setup I would say that it is just a bacteria bloom from the bacteria getting settled in. It should clear up.
You also showed a pic of where the bubbles started in the drain. You indicated that they happened right after the ball valve. It is possible for the valve to leak in air. I am not sure how you got it all running smooth......But, good job in what ever it was. Glad you are bubble free.
Calber0,
Thank you for drawing that up. That is exactly what I was talking about.
 
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