Quesiton about microbubbles.

nevolved · 05/15/2008, 06:40 AM

Hey everyone,

Ok, some basics that should help with this problem:

65gallon DT
20Gallon sump (with bubble trap, and a filter bag for the overflow)

flow = 2 koralia 2s, 6025 with mod, rio 1700 return
3000gph or so

I have microbubbles =(!

I can observe that no microbubbles make it from my skimmer/overflow past the baffles. But, when entering the tank my return puts in lots of bubbles. (I do have a small hole in the return line for a siphon break.) So, is there something wrong with my return pump, or can the high amount of flow that meets in 1 area cause the bubbles?

Thanks,

jansenwrasse · 05/15/2008, 06:51 AM

Cavitation may be a cause. Do you use any gate/ball valves?

Sometimes new tubing can take some time to "break in". Sometimes turning off the pump to allow it to back siphon can sometimes help. I usually just tap the hosing to see if it gets worse. There may also be a leak somewhere that is allowing air into the tubing, try covering your anti-siphon hole to see if that helps

Good Luck!

nevolved · 05/15/2008, 06:54 AM

Hmm there is a ball valve that I have connected to the return pump at its base. I'll try to cover the break, then remove that if it's still a problem. Thanks!

splateee · 05/15/2008, 08:34 AM

Depending on how your return nozzle is you can try placing a foam pre filter that you can buy for water pumps. I have one on my return that was from my mag 3 pump and it cuts way down on the micro bubbles.

05/15/2008, 06:40 AM	#1
nevolved Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 59	Quesiton about microbubbles. Hey everyone, Ok, some basics that should help with this problem: 65gallon DT 20Gallon sump (with bubble trap, and a filter bag for the overflow) flow = 2 koralia 2s, 6025 with mod, rio 1700 return 3000gph or so I have microbubbles =(! I can observe that no microbubbles make it from my skimmer/overflow past the baffles. But, when entering the tank my return puts in lots of bubbles. (I do have a small hole in the return line for a siphon break.) So, is there something wrong with my return pump, or can the high amount of flow that meets in 1 area cause the bubbles? Thanks,

05/15/2008, 06:51 AM	#2
jansenwrasse Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Irondequoit, New York Posts: 1,042	Cavitation may be a cause. Do you use any gate/ball valves? Sometimes new tubing can take some time to "break in". Sometimes turning off the pump to allow it to back siphon can sometimes help. I usually just tap the hosing to see if it gets worse. There may also be a leak somewhere that is allowing air into the tubing, try covering your anti-siphon hole to see if that helps Good Luck! __________________ "Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value." Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: I am allergic to seafood ... yup its that bad epi pen and all so I cant have a tank.

05/15/2008, 06:54 AM	#3
nevolved Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 59	Hmm there is a ball valve that I have connected to the return pump at its base. I'll try to cover the break, then remove that if it's still a problem. Thanks!

05/15/2008, 08:34 AM	#4
splateee Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flower Mound, Texas Posts: 561	Depending on how your return nozzle is you can try placing a foam pre filter that you can buy for water pumps. I have one on my return that was from my mag 3 pump and it cuts way down on the micro bubbles.