some more cavitation and closed loop questions

fla_tony · 03/28/2011, 07:44 PM

So i just ran my closed loop on my 150 over the top. Im running a dart 3400gph pump, 2" intake with a strainer on the end. I have a micro bubble problem, surprise..surprise. Its only been running a few hours but im pretty sure this is more than just a slime coat situation. I know cavitation is loud (like marbles), my pump isnt making any unusual noises but it does sound like water rushing in the intake pipe with air. Can someone elaborate on this cavitation "sound". On the outputs i have hard pipe with loc line but its all submerged. I also have a tee at the top of the intake for priming the pump with a cap, i know that could be leaking or still have air trapped in but the bubbles are bad, so im just looking to eliminate cavitation in case this intake is not sufficient.

All help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Tony

tkeracer619 · 03/29/2011, 06:19 PM

It shouldn't be cavitating with a 2" intake. My first closed loop was as you described. It worked just fine.

Check all the connections again and make sure its not coming from one of them.

Shut down the pump and see if any leaks occur at the fitting going into the pump. They can be tricky to get them sealed up properly. I always use plumbers liquid teflon on the pump fittings.

dulkion · 03/29/2011, 09:34 PM

I'm assuming you have 2" plumbing all the way to the pump. If so that is plenty fine. Most of the time it ends up being the threads at the intake on the pump, although once in a while it ends up being a leaky o-ring on a union.

fla_tony · 04/02/2011, 07:46 AM

I got it all settled. I changed from the tee with a cap to just 2 90's over the top of the tank and pumped water in to prime the pump worked like a charm! Thanks guys for reassuring the 2" piping.

03/28/2011, 07:44 PM	#1
fla_tony Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: naples, fl Posts: 116	some more cavitation and closed loop questions So i just ran my closed loop on my 150 over the top. Im running a dart 3400gph pump, 2" intake with a strainer on the end. I have a micro bubble problem, surprise..surprise. Its only been running a few hours but im pretty sure this is more than just a slime coat situation. I know cavitation is loud (like marbles), my pump isnt making any unusual noises but it does sound like water rushing in the intake pipe with air. Can someone elaborate on this cavitation "sound". On the outputs i have hard pipe with loc line but its all submerged. I also have a tee at the top of the intake for priming the pump with a cap, i know that could be leaking or still have air trapped in but the bubbles are bad, so im just looking to eliminate cavitation in case this intake is not sufficient. All help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Tony

03/29/2011, 06:19 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	It shouldn't be cavitating with a 2" intake. My first closed loop was as you described. It worked just fine. Check all the connections again and make sure its not coming from one of them. Shut down the pump and see if any leaks occur at the fitting going into the pump. They can be tricky to get them sealed up properly. I always use plumbers liquid teflon on the pump fittings. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

03/29/2011, 09:34 PM	#3
dulkion Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Prince lives here, we have 10,000 lakes Posts: 50	I'm assuming you have 2" plumbing all the way to the pump. If so that is plenty fine. Most of the time it ends up being the threads at the intake on the pump, although once in a while it ends up being a leaky o-ring on a union. __________________ Backwards Never, Forward Forever!

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04/02/2011, 07:46 AM	#4
fla_tony Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: naples, fl Posts: 116	I got it all settled. I changed from the tee with a cap to just 2 90's over the top of the tank and pumped water in to prime the pump worked like a charm! Thanks guys for reassuring the 2" piping.