Is it possible to have a closed loop w/ out micro bubbles?

Reef-Jitsu · 04/06/2009, 08:15 AM

I have been running my new closed loop system for about 2 years now and for the life of me, cannot get rid of micro bubbles. I've tried re-plumbilng to make sure there are no leaks in the intake line, etc. I am running a Blueline pump with an oceans motion. I wanted that clean look (not all the powerheads). I didn't drill the glass, I used the undrilled tank version from Melev's reef only w/out the squid.

Just wondering if anyone has had success w/ no bubbles or is it not possible and CL systems are just expected to have some. Also, If some are having success, which pump? It may be that Blulines just do that but not sure.

Any help is much appreciated!

DaveMorris · 04/06/2009, 02:03 PM

I am confused as to how you have your closed loop set up. You mentioned that you have an OceansMotion, but don't say which device you have. And if you have an OM product, why would you have a SCWD hooked up to it? Also, how are you getting the water up and over the top of your tank? I would guess that the air is coming from either the SCWD or is sneaking into the intake pipe because it doesn't look like it would go very deep. Can you elaborate more on how you have things hooked up?

Reef-Jitsu · 04/06/2009, 06:52 PM

The picture is just an example of how mine is not a drilled tank version, only over the back. On mine, I have the intake coming in from the back (holes are far enough down so there is no vortex effect), fed to a Blueline pump, then fed to a 4-way oceans motion. I have heard of people having these mysterious micro bubbles w/ closed loops. Considering going back to powerheads but I'd rather not.

Msoar16 · 04/06/2009, 09:09 PM

I ran a CL for 3 years with no bubble pproblem, just make sure you have no minor leaks which I guess you do

DaveMorris · 04/07/2009, 02:20 AM

If you are not getting the vortex effect, then air must be getting in from a minor leak somewhere. Do you see any salt creep on the plumbing, pump, or 4 way? If I had to guess, I would say that it is leaking either at the pump or the 4way. I run mine with a Sequence pump and a 4 way and never had any bubble problem. Mine is also drilled into the back, though, not over the top.

driftin · 04/07/2009, 06:51 AM

I run mine over the top to an Eheim and don't have any microbubbles. I'm guessing it's a small air leak somewhere in the system also.

Out of curiosity, what is the gph of your pump and what sized lines are you running?

Puffdragon · 04/07/2009, 10:55 AM

Check your intake. If it is blocked or restricted. This can cause the pump to cavitate, create air bubles. One way to check for air leaks is to remove the plumbing and pressure test it.

Reef-Jitsu · 04/08/2009, 07:19 PM

Dave, didn't find any salt creep around fiitings. The air has to be coming in from the intake so it wouldnt make sense a leak coming from the return or 4-way, right?

Driftin, pump is 1750 gph and 1" piping.

Puffdragon, how do you do a pressure test?

Thanks to all of you for you help!

04/06/2009, 08:15 AM	#1
Reef-Jitsu Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 13	Is it possible to have a closed loop w/ out micro bubbles? I have been running my new closed loop system for about 2 years now and for the life of me, cannot get rid of micro bubbles. I've tried re-plumbilng to make sure there are no leaks in the intake line, etc. I am running a Blueline pump with an oceans motion. I wanted that clean look (not all the powerheads). I didn't drill the glass, I used the undrilled tank version from Melev's reef only w/out the squid. Just wondering if anyone has had success w/ no bubbles or is it not possible and CL systems are just expected to have some. Also, If some are having success, which pump? It may be that Blulines just do that but not sure. Any help is much appreciated!

04/06/2009, 02:03 PM	#2
DaveMorris VP, SDMAS Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny San Diego, CA Posts: 1,309	I am confused as to how you have your closed loop set up. You mentioned that you have an OceansMotion, but don't say which device you have. And if you have an OM product, why would you have a SCWD hooked up to it? Also, how are you getting the water up and over the top of your tank? I would guess that the air is coming from either the SCWD or is sneaking into the intake pipe because it doesn't look like it would go very deep. Can you elaborate more on how you have things hooked up? __________________ Dave My 130g tank: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2387989 Current Tank Info: 130g build in progress

04/07/2009, 02:20 AM	#5
DaveMorris VP, SDMAS Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny San Diego, CA Posts: 1,309	If you are not getting the vortex effect, then air must be getting in from a minor leak somewhere. Do you see any salt creep on the plumbing, pump, or 4 way? If I had to guess, I would say that it is leaking either at the pump or the 4way. I run mine with a Sequence pump and a 4 way and never had any bubble problem. Mine is also drilled into the back, though, not over the top. __________________ Dave My 130g tank: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2387989 Current Tank Info: 130g build in progress

04/07/2009, 06:51 AM	#6
driftin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,247	I run mine over the top to an Eheim and don't have any microbubbles. I'm guessing it's a small air leak somewhere in the system also. Out of curiosity, what is the gph of your pump and what sized lines are you running? __________________ -Jim Current Tank Info: 70 gal custom room divider

04/07/2009, 10:55 AM	#7
Puffdragon Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 297	Check your intake. If it is blocked or restricted. This can cause the pump to cavitate, create air bubles. One way to check for air leaks is to remove the plumbing and pressure test it. __________________ The definition of an expert "Someone who has done something for so long that they can not see a new way to do things." Current Tank Info: 350 gallon mixed reef system

04/06/2009, 06:52 PM	#3
Reef-Jitsu Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 13	The picture is just an example of how mine is not a drilled tank version, only over the back. On mine, I have the intake coming in from the back (holes are far enough down so there is no vortex effect), fed to a Blueline pump, then fed to a 4-way oceans motion. I have heard of people having these mysterious micro bubbles w/ closed loops. Considering going back to powerheads but I'd rather not.

04/06/2009, 09:09 PM	#4
Msoar16 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Highlands Ranch, CO Posts: 760	I ran a CL for 3 years with no bubble pproblem, just make sure you have no minor leaks which I guess you do

04/08/2009, 07:19 PM	#8
Reef-Jitsu Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 13	Dave, didn't find any salt creep around fiitings. The air has to be coming in from the intake so it wouldnt make sense a leak coming from the return or 4-way, right? Driftin, pump is 1750 gph and 1" piping. Puffdragon, how do you do a pressure test? Thanks to all of you for you help!