Your U-Tubes

Holyreefer · 09/03/2008, 07:31 PM

I have a closed loop system using an 8 way Oceansmotion connected to a baracuda pump and because i can't drill my tank (which sucks) i have had to create an U-Tube to get my water to my pump to be existed through the baracuda pump.

My issue is air bubbles. I have in the past been able to create utubes without the hassel of the bubbles but now it seems everything i do i'm getting more and more bubbles... and when i don't get bubbles there is way too much air in the u-tube for me to be able to get the pump to rotate water through the 8way...

Let me see what some of you guys have created so that i can re-do my plumbing to have my closed loop on 24x7 without the hassasing air bubbles

Holyreefer · 09/04/2008, 08:59 AM

NO ONE!
BUMP

ctreptow · 09/04/2008, 09:10 AM

When I used the U tube overflows I purchased and Aqua Lifter. I then put the suction end in the top of the tube and the other end back in the tank. This way when air bubbles formed the Aqua Lifter sucked them out.

mille239 · 09/04/2008, 11:17 AM

I would think with an "over the back" pump feed to a barracuda pump, the velocity of the water being drawn by the pump would prevent air-bubbles from collecting in the top of the U-tube.

One option would be to tap the top of the u-tube with a 1/4" barb fitting and run an air-line down to right before the pump inlet (where another 1/4" tap would be placed, creating a sort-of venturi) which would suck any remaining air out of the u-tube.

Why can you not drill the tank for an inlet? There are several threads on here where people have drained the water down in their tanks and drilled it while it is still relatively full. It can be done without too much difficulty, unless the tank is tempered.

Holyreefer · 09/04/2008, 05:20 PM

i would prefer not to drill the tank... Unless i can hire someone to drill it that knows what they are doing. it would be alot more convient for sure and it would save me such of an hassle!

I will check with one of the local reef clubs and see what type of respond i get. Noone has a picture of what theirs looks like?

hobogato · 09/04/2008, 05:40 PM

what about something like marc's design?

http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

CeeGee · 09/04/2008, 06:00 PM

I use a lifereef overflow (for now) and have for a couple of years. Reliable as can be and I don't use any pump because if you have enough flow going through the tube no air bubbles can collect.

Lifereef is the best product on the market as far as I am concerned as far as utubes go.

Holyreefer · 09/08/2008, 05:33 PM

hobogato,
thanks for the link i will make the required modications and post back the progress!

09/03/2008, 07:31 PM	#1
Holyreefer Octopus Extreme 300 Skimr Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2,242	Your U-Tubes I have a closed loop system using an 8 way Oceansmotion connected to a baracuda pump and because i can't drill my tank (which sucks) i have had to create an U-Tube to get my water to my pump to be existed through the baracuda pump. My issue is air bubbles. I have in the past been able to create utubes without the hassel of the bubbles but now it seems everything i do i'm getting more and more bubbles... and when i don't get bubbles there is way too much air in the u-tube for me to be able to get the pump to rotate water through the 8way... Let me see what some of you guys have created so that i can re-do my plumbing to have my closed loop on 24x7 without the hassasing air bubbles __________________ Life is what you make it, so make something out of everything you do! Current Tank Info: GYRE 150,Seaswirl 1.5, Barcuda Pump, Custom LED system, Extreme Reef Octopus 300 Protein Skimmer, 80 watt Aqua UV, Korallin BioDenitrator Nitrate, Hydor Magnum 8 Powerheads

09/04/2008, 08:59 AM	#2
Holyreefer Octopus Extreme 300 Skimr Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2,242	NO ONE! BUMP __________________ Life is what you make it, so make something out of everything you do! Current Tank Info: GYRE 150,Seaswirl 1.5, Barcuda Pump, Custom LED system, Extreme Reef Octopus 300 Protein Skimmer, 80 watt Aqua UV, Korallin BioDenitrator Nitrate, Hydor Magnum 8 Powerheads

09/04/2008, 09:10 AM	#3
ctreptow Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 72	When I used the U tube overflows I purchased and Aqua Lifter. I then put the suction end in the top of the tube and the other end back in the tank. This way when air bubbles formed the Aqua Lifter sucked them out. __________________ Chris Treptow Current Tank Info: RMS 130D with Apex, Radion, and Votech MP10

09/04/2008, 11:17 AM	#4
mille239 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrison Twp., MI Posts: 1,644	I would think with an "over the back" pump feed to a barracuda pump, the velocity of the water being drawn by the pump would prevent air-bubbles from collecting in the top of the U-tube. One option would be to tap the top of the u-tube with a 1/4" barb fitting and run an air-line down to right before the pump inlet (where another 1/4" tap would be placed, creating a sort-of venturi) which would suck any remaining air out of the u-tube. Why can you not drill the tank for an inlet? There are several threads on here where people have drained the water down in their tanks and drilled it while it is still relatively full. It can be done without too much difficulty, unless the tank is tempered. __________________ -Blair Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the creation of this post, though a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced. Current Tank Info: 120 SPS reef in progress, 120 mixed reef, currently being completely rebuilt)

09/04/2008, 05:20 PM	#5
Holyreefer Octopus Extreme 300 Skimr Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2,242	i would prefer not to drill the tank... Unless i can hire someone to drill it that knows what they are doing. it would be alot more convient for sure and it would save me such of an hassle! I will check with one of the local reef clubs and see what type of respond i get. Noone has a picture of what theirs looks like? __________________ Life is what you make it, so make something out of everything you do! Current Tank Info: GYRE 150,Seaswirl 1.5, Barcuda Pump, Custom LED system, Extreme Reef Octopus 300 Protein Skimmer, 80 watt Aqua UV, Korallin BioDenitrator Nitrate, Hydor Magnum 8 Powerheads

09/04/2008, 05:40 PM	#6
hobogato Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,517	what about something like marc's design? http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

09/04/2008, 06:00 PM	#7
CeeGee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 3,272	I use a lifereef overflow (for now) and have for a couple of years. Reliable as can be and I don't use any pump because if you have enough flow going through the tube no air bubbles can collect. Lifereef is the best product on the market as far as I am concerned as far as utubes go. __________________ My algae WAS special. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 40 gallon breeder sump, RLSS R6i, ATI Powermodule, Apex, Ecotech MP40's

09/08/2008, 05:33 PM	#8
Holyreefer Octopus Extreme 300 Skimr Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2,242	hobogato, thanks for the link i will make the required modications and post back the progress! __________________ Life is what you make it, so make something out of everything you do! Current Tank Info: GYRE 150,Seaswirl 1.5, Barcuda Pump, Custom LED system, Extreme Reef Octopus 300 Protein Skimmer, 80 watt Aqua UV, Korallin BioDenitrator Nitrate, Hydor Magnum 8 Powerheads