Too Many Dam Bubbles

Wavey Gravey · 03/19/2007, 09:18 PM

Hello,
I have a setup I got used, had it for about a month. It's a 72g with a 15g sump, a Rio 32HF and a ASM G1 skimmer. The skimmer is creating lots of micro-bubles in the tank.
Any ideas on how to stop it? Or, should I think about replacing it.
If so, any recomendations?
Thanks,
Hank in SoCal

Randall_James · 03/19/2007, 09:22 PM

pics and a bit more info would help. How much flow through sump? where does the skimmer exit ?

A filter sock on the skimmer outlet can help
Too much flow through sump is typically the biggest culprit IME

rafa316 · 03/19/2007, 09:22 PM

If the skimmer is new it might need some time to break in. The only other thing I can think of is regulate the water intake

Wavey Gravey · 03/19/2007, 09:40 PM

I hope this is the info you need. The overflow line is 1 1/4" and the return line is 3/4", the RIO 32HF return pump is rated at 1500 GPH. I took a picture of the sump too.
Thanks,
Hank In SoCal

amike5 · 03/19/2007, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rafa316
If the skimmer is new it might need some time to break in. The only other thing I can think of is regulate the water intake

Yes, you may have too much flow going through it allowing the bubbles to exit through the drain instead of moving upwards.

Wavey Gravey · 03/19/2007, 10:16 PM

OOPS!
I didn't get the photo on, I'll try again.
Hank inSoCal[IMG]Use this in img tag: http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...37the_sump.JPG [/IMG]

Wavey Gravey · 03/19/2007, 10:18 PM

How do I regulate the water flow?
Hank in SoCal

amike5 · 03/19/2007, 10:29 PM

You should already have a gate valve on the output that you use to keep the water level at the right height. If you can't correct the problem with that, install a valve on the input side to restrict the flow going into the skimmer. Do you have a bubble trap between your skimmer chamber and return area in your sump?

Wavey Gravey · 03/19/2007, 10:33 PM

I'm lost

There is no gate valve, only a plastic pipe that can be moved up or down with a foam sleeve on it.
Hank in SoCal

amike5 · 03/19/2007, 10:41 PM

I assume that would be an equivilant of a gate valve if it adjusts the water level in your skimmer. The water level should be about half up the neck of the skimmer; at least this is the case with most skimmers.

Wavey Gravey · 03/19/2007, 10:42 PM

The bubbles were so bad, I pulled the plug on the skimmer. Now the tank is clear. How long can I leave the skimmer off before it will cause problems?

Randall_James · 03/20/2007, 08:06 AM

Still waiting to hear how much flow through sump... what return pump are you running?

Wavey Gravey · 03/20/2007, 10:40 AM

I sent that info in a post on 3/20 at 4:40am. If you need anything else,
just let me know.
Thanks,
Hank in SoCal

Randall_James · 03/20/2007, 03:38 PM

well I missed that and it is most likely the issue....

1500Gph is astronomical flow for a sump...(sure see why you have bubbles for sure)

you need something along the lines of 350Gph and that might even pull some bubbles.

sump flow should be around 5X turnover for system.

In Deep Water · 03/21/2007, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by amike5
I assume that would be an equivilant of a gate valve if it adjusts the water level in your skimmer. The water level should be about half up the neck of the skimmer; at least this is the case with most skimmers.

The water level on my skimmer is almost to the top. Is this incorrect?

plummike · 03/21/2007, 04:22 PM

sump is to small for the flow. Need a little space and a particulate filter between skimmer and pump. The bubbles can't go through a filter with the water.

03/19/2007, 09:18 PM	#1
Wavey Gravey Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tustin, CA. Posts: 9	Too Many Dam Bubbles Hello, I have a setup I got used, had it for about a month. It's a 72g with a 15g sump, a Rio 32HF and a ASM G1 skimmer. The skimmer is creating lots of micro-bubles in the tank. Any ideas on how to stop it? Or, should I think about replacing it. If so, any recomendations? Thanks, Hank in SoCal

03/19/2007, 09:22 PM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	pics and a bit more info would help. How much flow through sump? where does the skimmer exit ? A filter sock on the skimmer outlet can help Too much flow through sump is typically the biggest culprit IME __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

03/19/2007, 09:22 PM	#3
rafa316 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 411	If the skimmer is new it might need some time to break in. The only other thing I can think of is regulate the water intake __________________ "if I asked the general public what they wanted they would have said they wanted a faster horse" Henry Ford Current Tank Info: 75g. - Rena xP4 Canister Filter - 65w T5 -2 inch sandbed - 60lbs live rock - 2 Ocellaris Clownfish - 1 Yellow Watchman Gobie - 6 Nassaiurs Snails - 1 Bumblebee Snail - 2 Emerald Crabs - 1 Red Legged Hermit Crab

03/19/2007, 09:40 PM	#4
Wavey Gravey Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tustin, CA. Posts: 9	More Info I hope this is the info you need. The overflow line is 1 1/4" and the return line is 3/4", the RIO 32HF return pump is rated at 1500 GPH. I took a picture of the sump too. Thanks, Hank In SoCal

03/19/2007, 10:16 PM	#6
Wavey Gravey Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tustin, CA. Posts: 9	Bubbles OOPS! I didn't get the photo on, I'll try again. Hank inSoCal[IMG]Use this in img tag: http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...37the_sump.JPG [/IMG]

03/19/2007, 10:18 PM	#7
Wavey Gravey Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tustin, CA. Posts: 9	Bubbles How do I regulate the water flow? Hank in SoCal

03/19/2007, 10:29 PM	#8
amike5 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 724	You should already have a gate valve on the output that you use to keep the water level at the right height. If you can't correct the problem with that, install a valve on the input side to restrict the flow going into the skimmer. Do you have a bubble trap between your skimmer chamber and return area in your sump?

03/19/2007, 10:33 PM	#9
Wavey Gravey Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tustin, CA. Posts: 9	Bubbles I'm lost There is no gate valve, only a plastic pipe that can be moved up or down with a foam sleeve on it. Hank in SoCal

03/19/2007, 10:41 PM	#10
amike5 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 724	I assume that would be an equivilant of a gate valve if it adjusts the water level in your skimmer. The water level should be about half up the neck of the skimmer; at least this is the case with most skimmers.

03/19/2007, 10:42 PM	#11
Wavey Gravey Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tustin, CA. Posts: 9	The bubbles were so bad, I pulled the plug on the skimmer. Now the tank is clear. How long can I leave the skimmer off before it will cause problems?

03/20/2007, 08:06 AM	#12
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	Still waiting to hear how much flow through sump... what return pump are you running? __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

03/20/2007, 10:40 AM	#13
Wavey Gravey Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tustin, CA. Posts: 9	INFO I sent that info in a post on 3/20 at 4:40am. If you need anything else, just let me know. Thanks, Hank in SoCal

03/20/2007, 03:38 PM	#14
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	well I missed that and it is most likely the issue.... 1500Gph is astronomical flow for a sump...(sure see why you have bubbles for sure) you need something along the lines of 350Gph and that might even pull some bubbles. sump flow should be around 5X turnover for system. __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

03/21/2007, 04:22 PM	#16
plummike Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: near Pittsburgh Posts: 271	sump is to small for the flow. Need a little space and a particulate filter between skimmer and pump. The bubbles can't go through a filter with the water.