how to slow flow in stock tank - baffles???

monty · 04/14/2009, 05:46 PM

My DT drains into the basement into a 100g stock tank (fuge), which then drains into another 100g stock tank(sump) connected to the return pump. connecting the two tanks is a section of 4" PVC. I'm trying desperately to eliminate microbubbles in my main tank, and thing that if i could cause less turbulance in the sump that it might do it. Has anyone created any baffle system in a stock tank, or have any other ideas???

RokleM · 04/15/2009, 07:43 AM

How close is your return to the drains and/or other bubble causing items? Yes, you could likely rig up some bubble traps, although it might be somewhat difficult with the stock tanks.

You have 200 gallon sump system on your 180 (which is great). How fast are you turning the water over? There SHOULD be more than enough time for the bubbles to dissipate. What type of circulation do you have internal to the sump? Anything else you can describe/detail that might be causing the issues? Are you sure it's the return pump sucking air in from the drains that's causing the bubbles in your main system? Why is the sky blue?

monty · 04/15/2009, 03:44 PM

I just started a new tank (an Oceanic 120). I built it into a wall in my living room, and the two returns drain roughly 12' into the 100g fuge. From there, i have the second 100g stock tank linked to the fuge with a section of 4" PVC which is gravity fed. I tried using a filter sock, but after a few days the drainage slows down dramatically and comes dangerously close to overflowing the fuge (i thought about adding a security second drain hole).

From the sump back to the main tank (rougly 12'), i have a reeflo barricuda (which also feeds my Bermuda BPS 5C which dumps back into the fuge).

On the inside of the second stock tank, there is no plumming feeding to the pump. I can not find the right threaded PVC fitting that will fit for some strange reason.....what i did do last night though was rig a piece of 1" PVC just into the intake hole on the inside of the tank connected to a 90degree elbow with a foam filter from an old mag12 that i never used. This cut down quite a bit on bubbles into my DT, but also slowed the water flor down tremendously.

I've taken marine epoxy to just about every threaded part piece of the whole plumming (since they traditionally leak slowly). So the system is virtually leak free from start to finish. I still have a good amount of microbubbles in the tank, which i think are being pumpped directly from the sump. BUT, on one of my returns i still get spuratic larger bubbles in short bursts.

IM AT A LOSS!!!!!! I know there is a way somehow.......i just dont know it.

PLEASE!!!!! any suggestions??????

04/14/2009, 05:46 PM	#1
monty Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Old Saybrook, CT Posts: 895	how to slow flow in stock tank - baffles??? My DT drains into the basement into a 100g stock tank (fuge), which then drains into another 100g stock tank(sump) connected to the return pump. connecting the two tanks is a section of 4" PVC. I'm trying desperately to eliminate microbubbles in my main tank, and thing that if i could cause less turbulance in the sump that it might do it. Has anyone created any baffle system in a stock tank, or have any other ideas???

04/15/2009, 07:43 AM	#2
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	How close is your return to the drains and/or other bubble causing items? Yes, you could likely rig up some bubble traps, although it might be somewhat difficult with the stock tanks. You have 200 gallon sump system on your 180 (which is great). How fast are you turning the water over? There SHOULD be more than enough time for the bubbles to dissipate. What type of circulation do you have internal to the sump? Anything else you can describe/detail that might be causing the issues? Are you sure it's the return pump sucking air in from the drains that's causing the bubbles in your main system? Why is the sky blue? __________________ -Eric-

04/15/2009, 03:44 PM	#3
monty Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Old Saybrook, CT Posts: 895	I just started a new tank (an Oceanic 120). I built it into a wall in my living room, and the two returns drain roughly 12' into the 100g fuge. From there, i have the second 100g stock tank linked to the fuge with a section of 4" PVC which is gravity fed. I tried using a filter sock, but after a few days the drainage slows down dramatically and comes dangerously close to overflowing the fuge (i thought about adding a security second drain hole). From the sump back to the main tank (rougly 12'), i have a reeflo barricuda (which also feeds my Bermuda BPS 5C which dumps back into the fuge). On the inside of the second stock tank, there is no plumming feeding to the pump. I can not find the right threaded PVC fitting that will fit for some strange reason.....what i did do last night though was rig a piece of 1" PVC just into the intake hole on the inside of the tank connected to a 90degree elbow with a foam filter from an old mag12 that i never used. This cut down quite a bit on bubbles into my DT, but also slowed the water flor down tremendously. I've taken marine epoxy to just about every threaded part piece of the whole plumming (since they traditionally leak slowly). So the system is virtually leak free from start to finish. I still have a good amount of microbubbles in the tank, which i think are being pumpped directly from the sump. BUT, on one of my returns i still get spuratic larger bubbles in short bursts. IM AT A LOSS!!!!!! I know there is a way somehow.......i just dont know it. PLEASE!!!!! any suggestions??????