micro bubbles from close loop vortex

8mycash · 10/03/2006, 11:06 AM

I have a large reef tank. I had the pleasure of having to move 10 miles away. While I had the tank down I switched to a larger close loop pump. I changed the 3 inch bulk head to a 5 inch bulk head to allow more water flow. Well the pump pulls so much water that a vortex starts to form and soon micro bubbles start appearing. I have tried turning the valves down to eliminate the bubbles, the problem is there is hardly any flow by that point. Any ideas on breaking on a vortex with out making to many bubbles?? My corals love the flow, I hate the bubbles.

silverwolf72 · 10/03/2006, 11:16 AM

Is it from the intake or the returns?

SDguy · 10/03/2006, 11:19 AM

I have a perimeter manifold on my closed loop. I had to point one of the nozzles right at the intake screen to keep it from forming a vortex.

hth

8mycash · 10/03/2006, 11:30 AM

intake is where the vortex is forming.

silverwolf72 · 10/03/2006, 12:33 PM

Try usings a right angle pointing down. That will get it further down the tank. Pertty much the only thing that comes to mind. If you could come up with some type of ledge that is over the intake that would also help it from pulling water and air from the surface

SDguy · 10/03/2006, 01:06 PM

IME, even with a ledge, the vortex can form to the side of it. the 90 degree elbow pointing down should work.

8mycash · 10/03/2006, 02:06 PM

awesome thanks guys. I look forward to sticking my arm down a slimmy overflow, to screw in a 90. But at least the bubbles should be gone.

10/03/2006, 11:06 AM	#1
8mycash Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Snohomish Posts: 135	micro bubbles from close loop vortex I have a large reef tank. I had the pleasure of having to move 10 miles away. While I had the tank down I switched to a larger close loop pump. I changed the 3 inch bulk head to a 5 inch bulk head to allow more water flow. Well the pump pulls so much water that a vortex starts to form and soon micro bubbles start appearing. I have tried turning the valves down to eliminate the bubbles, the problem is there is hardly any flow by that point. Any ideas on breaking on a vortex with out making to many bubbles?? My corals love the flow, I hate the bubbles.

10/03/2006, 11:19 AM	#3
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	I have a perimeter manifold on my closed loop. I had to point one of the nozzles right at the intake screen to keep it from forming a vortex. hth __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

10/03/2006, 01:06 PM	#6
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	IME, even with a ledge, the vortex can form to the side of it. the 90 degree elbow pointing down should work. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

10/03/2006, 11:16 AM	#2
silverwolf72 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forrest CA Posts: 1,732	Is it from the intake or the returns?

10/03/2006, 11:30 AM	#4
8mycash Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Snohomish Posts: 135	intake is where the vortex is forming.

10/03/2006, 12:33 PM	#5
silverwolf72 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forrest CA Posts: 1,732	Try usings a right angle pointing down. That will get it further down the tank. Pertty much the only thing that comes to mind. If you could come up with some type of ledge that is over the intake that would also help it from pulling water and air from the surface

10/03/2006, 02:06 PM	#7
8mycash Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Snohomish Posts: 135	awesome thanks guys. I look forward to sticking my arm down a slimmy overflow, to screw in a 90. But at least the bubbles should be gone.