Bubble lock on my my Deltec MCE600

IamBIGGUN · 03/07/2009, 10:53 PM

My Deltec MCE600 takes way too much to maintain, most of the problems are because of my setup. I was hoping to brainstorm with you and maybe solve my problem.

Because of space limitations I have the Deltec on my sump under my stand....this causes all of my problems. I need to work around this as I have nowhere else to put it.

I can get it set up to produce good foam and fill the cup but to empty it I need to pull the inlet, the outlet, push the cup down the whole way, tilt the skimmer to almost 90 degrees and remove the whole thing to even get the cup out. So I decided to use the overflow tube and put a hose from the side of it to a remote bottle.

The hole is about 3/4 of the way up the side of the cup because that is where it clears the body of the skimmer. It is a 3/8" hole with a nipple and 1/2" hose leading to the bottle.

I figured that when the cup filled up to that point the cup would overflow down the hose and fill the easily emptied bottle.

The problem seems to be (???) that once it gets to that level it bubble locks. That's my own made up term for what I believe is the surface tension of the bubbles in the cup stopping more bubbles from rising up into the cup and continuing the filling process.

If I pull the lid and squirt water into the cup to break the bubbles it foams like CRAZY for a bit and then stops.

Do you think I should put something sharp on the inside of the lid near the bubble inlet to burst them as they rise? That's the only thing I can think to do. If you think that's a good idea what do you think I should use?

Thanks for bearing with me in this long post.

Kevin

IamBIGGUN · 03/08/2009, 10:48 AM

Anyone???

Fig · 03/08/2009, 11:19 AM

I guess i don't understand? Did you remove the original overflow pipe?

IamBIGGUN · 03/08/2009, 12:27 PM

Yes the overflow was removed and turned just under 90 degrees. Then a hose was installed and run to my container.

Kevin

IamBIGGUN · 03/08/2009, 03:24 PM

It figures I'm the only one with this foam head problem.

Most people use things the way they were designed......not me!

Kevin

03/07/2009, 10:53 PM	#1
IamBIGGUN Moved On Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 108	Bubble lock on my my Deltec MCE600 My Deltec MCE600 takes way too much to maintain, most of the problems are because of my setup. I was hoping to brainstorm with you and maybe solve my problem. Because of space limitations I have the Deltec on my sump under my stand....this causes all of my problems. I need to work around this as I have nowhere else to put it. I can get it set up to produce good foam and fill the cup but to empty it I need to pull the inlet, the outlet, push the cup down the whole way, tilt the skimmer to almost 90 degrees and remove the whole thing to even get the cup out. So I decided to use the overflow tube and put a hose from the side of it to a remote bottle. The hole is about 3/4 of the way up the side of the cup because that is where it clears the body of the skimmer. It is a 3/8" hole with a nipple and 1/2" hose leading to the bottle. I figured that when the cup filled up to that point the cup would overflow down the hose and fill the easily emptied bottle. The problem seems to be (???) that once it gets to that level it bubble locks. That's my own made up term for what I believe is the surface tension of the bubbles in the cup stopping more bubbles from rising up into the cup and continuing the filling process. If I pull the lid and squirt water into the cup to break the bubbles it foams like CRAZY for a bit and then stops. Do you think I should put something sharp on the inside of the lid near the bubble inlet to burst them as they rise? That's the only thing I can think to do. If you think that's a good idea what do you think I should use? Thanks for bearing with me in this long post. Kevin

03/08/2009, 10:48 AM	#2
IamBIGGUN Moved On Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 108	Anyone???

03/08/2009, 11:19 AM	#3
Fig Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 817	I guess i don't understand? Did you remove the original overflow pipe?

03/08/2009, 12:27 PM	#4
IamBIGGUN Moved On Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 108	Yes the overflow was removed and turned just under 90 degrees. Then a hose was installed and run to my container. Kevin

03/08/2009, 03:24 PM	#5
IamBIGGUN Moved On Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 108	It figures I'm the only one with this foam head problem. Most people use things the way they were designed......not me! Kevin