how can i test to see where air is entering return pump line?

E-A-G-L-E-S · 04/12/2006, 10:25 AM

it comes up to a "T" and the extends 3' each way to a set of 90's and then loc-line....

E-A-G-L-E-S · 04/12/2006, 12:24 PM

i put extra glue around the hard pvc joints and duct taped over that....i also checked to see that the clamps on flex hose were tight.......and i STILL have a storm of microbubbles from it?

MayoBoy · 04/12/2006, 12:31 PM

They would be coming from the suction side - not the return side. If there was a leak on the return side, you'd have a stream of water coming out. Bubbles are from air being sucked in.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 04/12/2006, 12:40 PM

o.k. ... so where on the intake side could they be coming from?
sump is drilled well below water level?

mr pink floyd · 04/12/2006, 12:46 PM

what size pump, and what size tubing, someitmes if pumps are too strong for the diameter tubing, they can suck the mixture right out of the water, so you get microbubbles.

pvc should be at least an inch, for a large pump id go incha nad a half

E-A-G-L-E-S · 04/12/2006, 12:50 PM

well...the bulkhead is 1", then on the outside of the sump there is a barbed hose fitting - 3'4" hose - barbed fitting - gate valve - intake of pump............
....how can i use 1" or 1.5" hose and fittings and then get back to 3/4" for the pump intake?
-GRI 520(1600gph) ... with 4 durso drains feeding sump from 210g.

MayoBoy · 04/12/2006, 12:51 PM

The most likely culprit would be any threaded connections. Did you wrap well with teflon tape? Or, as Mr. Pink Floyd said, the suction size could be inadequate and the line could be vortexing.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 04/12/2006, 12:52 PM

yup...teflon'd and clamped? i'm missing something??

MayoBoy · 04/12/2006, 01:05 PM

3/4" suction is WAY to small for 1600 gph. That's about 27 GPM. My chart doesn't even show what the friction is for 3/4". With 1" line, you're moving about 10 fps.

You need to go minimum 1" from tank to pump and use a 3/4x1 bushing right at the pump

E-A-G-L-E-S · 04/12/2006, 05:20 PM

i will try that.....

dippin61 · 04/12/2006, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MayoBoy
The most likely culprit would be any threaded connections. Did you wrap well with teflon tape? Or, as Mr. Pink Floyd said, the suction size could be inadequate and the line could be vortexing.

think its cavitation that occurs from too small of return, or drain lines. and if thats the case, only thing that will help is to up your pipe size.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 04/12/2006, 08:12 PM

well...i have 2-3/4" drains AND 2-1" drains, so idon't think thats the problem.....but i'm hoping by replumbing to all 1" on the intake side will help.

04/12/2006, 10:25 AM	#1
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	how can i test to see where air is entering return pump line? it comes up to a "T" and the extends 3' each way to a set of 90's and then loc-line.... __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

04/12/2006, 12:24 PM	#2
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	i put extra glue around the hard pvc joints and duct taped over that....i also checked to see that the clamps on flex hose were tight.......and i STILL have a storm of microbubbles from it? __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

04/12/2006, 12:31 PM	#3
MayoBoy Movin' on Up Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Webster Groves, MO Posts: 2,282	They would be coming from the suction side - not the return side. If there was a leak on the return side, you'd have a stream of water coming out. Bubbles are from air being sucked in. __________________ Getting sucked back in slowly but surely. Current Tank Info: 27 gallon freshwater planted cube. Amazonian biotope

04/12/2006, 12:40 PM	#4
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	o.k. ... so where on the intake side could they be coming from? sump is drilled well below water level? __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

04/12/2006, 12:50 PM	#6
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	well...the bulkhead is 1", then on the outside of the sump there is a barbed hose fitting - 3'4" hose - barbed fitting - gate valve - intake of pump............ ....how can i use 1" or 1.5" hose and fittings and then get back to 3/4" for the pump intake? -GRI 520(1600gph) ... with 4 durso drains feeding sump from 210g. __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

04/12/2006, 12:46 PM	#5
mr pink floyd Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: west hartford, CT Posts: 3,480	what size pump, and what size tubing, someitmes if pumps are too strong for the diameter tubing, they can suck the mixture right out of the water, so you get microbubbles. pvc should be at least an inch, for a large pump id go incha nad a half

04/12/2006, 12:51 PM	#7
MayoBoy Movin' on Up Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Webster Groves, MO Posts: 2,282	The most likely culprit would be any threaded connections. Did you wrap well with teflon tape? Or, as Mr. Pink Floyd said, the suction size could be inadequate and the line could be vortexing. __________________ Getting sucked back in slowly but surely. Current Tank Info: 27 gallon freshwater planted cube. Amazonian biotope

04/12/2006, 12:52 PM	#8
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	yup...teflon'd and clamped? i'm missing something?? __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

04/12/2006, 01:05 PM	#9
MayoBoy Movin' on Up Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Webster Groves, MO Posts: 2,282	3/4" suction is WAY to small for 1600 gph. That's about 27 GPM. My chart doesn't even show what the friction is for 3/4". With 1" line, you're moving about 10 fps. You need to go minimum 1" from tank to pump and use a 3/4x1 bushing right at the pump __________________ Getting sucked back in slowly but surely. Current Tank Info: 27 gallon freshwater planted cube. Amazonian biotope

04/12/2006, 05:20 PM	#10
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	i will try that..... __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

04/12/2006, 08:12 PM	#12
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	well...i have 2-3/4" drains AND 2-1" drains, so idon't think thats the problem.....but i'm hoping by replumbing to all 1" on the intake side will help. __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.