Microbubbles

austinite79 · 05/21/2010, 06:23 PM

I have a 125 Aqueon with dual overflows. They drain into the sump and onto some white/blue filter padding, then through a 5 inch gap at the bottom that has more filter padding before entering the protein skimmer section. The protein skimmer is a Aqua C 180. I have some padding over the gate valve. The water then travels through a bubble trap before entering the return- a Mag 12 that has clear 3/4 inch tubing all the way to the bulk heads. The only hard bit of plastic is the T where it branches to each of the returns. From the bulkheads are 3/4 inch pvc to the loc-line. I think the problem could be in the loc-line. Should I remove those and just use more clear tubing? Also the Mag 12 does not have the prefilter foam attached. Should I get one? The microbubbles aren't too excessive but I can still see them collecting on things in the tank. Thanks in advance.

kc350twin · 05/21/2010, 08:45 PM

IMHO your return pump is way over kill. That's 12x turnover. (before headloss) 3-5x's turn over is less likely to transfer the micros into the tank.

05/21/2010, 06:23 PM	#1
austinite79 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin,Tx Posts: 46	Microbubbles I have a 125 Aqueon with dual overflows. They drain into the sump and onto some white/blue filter padding, then through a 5 inch gap at the bottom that has more filter padding before entering the protein skimmer section. The protein skimmer is a Aqua C 180. I have some padding over the gate valve. The water then travels through a bubble trap before entering the return- a Mag 12 that has clear 3/4 inch tubing all the way to the bulk heads. The only hard bit of plastic is the T where it branches to each of the returns. From the bulkheads are 3/4 inch pvc to the loc-line. I think the problem could be in the loc-line. Should I remove those and just use more clear tubing? Also the Mag 12 does not have the prefilter foam attached. Should I get one? The microbubbles aren't too excessive but I can still see them collecting on things in the tank. Thanks in advance. __________________ 40 Gallon Breeder-Atlantis-Female O. Scyllarus 125 Reef Tank

05/21/2010, 08:45 PM	#2
kc350twin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Severn, MD Posts: 1,579	IMHO your return pump is way over kill. That's 12x turnover. (before headloss) 3-5x's turn over is less likely to transfer the micros into the tank. __________________ 112g Cube 36x36x20= Custom 12x39wPower Module (Par Monster)= Neptune Apex=ATB 840v2=BM Doser= 2 MP-40's

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