I hate microbubbles

JTEAGUE · 02/25/2007, 08:07 PM

Did I mention I hate microbubbles. I bought a new Ocean Runner 3500 pump and now I have microbubbles. I have tried evrything I can think of. Return line empties into a filter sock, skimmer empties into a filter sox, I don't see microbubbles in the sump and I've put a ball valve on the return side and adjusted with no sucess. I,ve changed the locline out.

When I look down in the overflow I see small bubbles but don't see them in the sump. So I am confused, frustrated, and upset.

I hate microbubbles.

Capt_Cully · 02/25/2007, 08:17 PM

It's usually a plumbing problem. check your lines, maybe change your hose clamps. It can be frustrating to find the culprit. Good Luck.

kingfisher62 · 02/25/2007, 08:20 PM

I know what you mean !
If it is like any of the protein skimmers I have bought in the past ,it might need a breakin period.
Recheck all your connections exposed to air.
Good luck!

JTEAGUE · 02/25/2007, 08:21 PM

I think I have tried everything short of glueing the 3/4 inch nipple into the Ocean Runner pump. Which I'm sure would be a bad idea seeings how it has an o ring on it.

JTEAGUE · 02/25/2007, 08:26 PM

I also though about the break in period. I did not worry about it at first, it has been three weeks. The break in was my hope but I think that one went out the window.

zach202 · 02/25/2007, 08:33 PM

What do you mean by plumbing problems?

JTEAGUE · 02/25/2007, 08:37 PM

Plumbing problems as referred to in this thread would be air entering into a return line somewhere between the return pump and the return exit into the tank. Probably between the return pump and bulkhead (less than two feet). Sounds easy to fix but such a headache.

zach202 · 02/25/2007, 08:41 PM

Would it be possible to have this issue without a water leak? Ive got the same issue and its driving me crazy.

AZDesertRat · 02/25/2007, 08:42 PM

Is there something on the suction side of the pump causing a restriction? Describe your sump and all your overflow and return plumbing including sizes and lengths. Do you have baffles between the skimmer section and the return section?

JTEAGUE · 02/25/2007, 08:56 PM

AZDesertRat - The pump did have a plate over the intake which I removed. The sump is a Pro Clear Aquatics 200. It does not really have baffles for the purpose of bubbles, so I use the filter socks. The return plumbing is 3/4 in. flex tubing with a ball valve and stainless steal hose clamps. The hose from pump to bulkhead is about two feet long. The overflow is an AGA rated at 600 GPH and drains through a flex spa type hose into a fiter sock. Currently the ball valve is closed about a quarter turn. If I had to guess I'd say I'm pushing 400-500 GPH. I dont see any bubbles in the sump hence ny confussion. with my old pump the filter socks solved the microbubbles. I hope I covered everything you asked. Thanks

chaseracing · 02/25/2007, 08:59 PM

Is there air in your return lines, or do you have a solid stream of water?

-=E=-

AZDesertRat · 02/25/2007, 09:03 PM

The return side is probably fine. You really do need baffles to solve a microbubble problem even with perfect plumbing. Turn the lights out and shine a flash light through to sump from side to side and see how cloudy it is, bubbles will show up you could not see before if they are present.

JTEAGUE · 02/25/2007, 09:04 PM

I have a solid stream. I even tried shaking the return pump to make any bubbles rise. I also covered the ends of the locline to build up back pressure for any air, all to no avail!

JTEAGUE · 02/26/2007, 08:31 AM

AZDesertRat - I dont have lights on the sump, and I do use the flashlight and do not see bubbles. I was afraid I would have to make some baffles but was not sure if that would work since I saw no bubbles?

kryppy · 02/26/2007, 09:50 AM

Micro bubble problems never leak water with the system on.
Sometimes when it is off you can find a tiny drip on the threads of the fitting causing it, they are always somewhere in the intake portion, since any problem on the outlet side will leak water out and not make bubbles.

Sometimes pouring water over the fittings will reveal the suction leak....and epoxy will then cure it if it is a PITA to fix or is a glued joint.

A snail or other restriction in or near the pump intake can cause the water to cavatate throwing air pulled out of the water everywhere as micro bubbles, and the water test will find nothing.

This scenario got me good recently...

JTEAGUE · 02/26/2007, 01:28 PM

kryppy - Thanks I had not thought of that. I will look into it when i get home.

Icefire · 02/26/2007, 03:09 PM

Is the locline fully submerged?

They can draw air.

JTEAGUE · 02/26/2007, 04:19 PM

Yes it is submerged, I even switched it out to check for air.

02/25/2007, 08:07 PM	#1
JTEAGUE Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: N.C. Posts: 318	I hate microbubbles Did I mention I hate microbubbles. I bought a new Ocean Runner 3500 pump and now I have microbubbles. I have tried evrything I can think of. Return line empties into a filter sock, skimmer empties into a filter sox, I don't see microbubbles in the sump and I've put a ball valve on the return side and adjusted with no sucess. I,ve changed the locline out. When I look down in the overflow I see small bubbles but don't see them in the sump. So I am confused, frustrated, and upset. I hate microbubbles.

02/25/2007, 08:17 PM	#2
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	It's usually a plumbing problem. check your lines, maybe change your hose clamps. It can be frustrating to find the culprit. Good Luck. __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

02/25/2007, 08:20 PM	#3
kingfisher62 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: massachusetts Posts: 4,972	I know what you mean ! If it is like any of the protein skimmers I have bought in the past ,it might need a breakin period. Recheck all your connections exposed to air. Good luck! __________________ 55g Tank - 216W T5's Foxface, tomato clown, yellow tailed damsel, Starrie Blennie, LPS and softies 29G Biocube- 120W LED's 2 percular clown, Six line Wrasse , LPS and softies Current Tank Info: 55 gl. Reef tank ,29g biocube Reef

02/25/2007, 08:59 PM	#11
chaseracing Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 1,208	Is there air in your return lines, or do you have a solid stream of water? -=E=- __________________ I want my dog's life. Current Tank Info: 150gal RR Oceanic - (3) 250w. ReefLux 12K, (2) 96w PC 50/50, (3) Tunze 6025 modded, (3) Tunze 6045's, ASM G3, MRC-1, Melev F sump/fuge, all run off of an Aquacontroller Jr. Mixed Reef w/ lots of Fish and not enough rock.

02/26/2007, 03:09 PM	#17
Icefire Seasoned reefer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,653	Is the locline fully submerged? They can draw air. __________________ Temp 80F, PH 8.5-8.0, Alk 6.8-7.2, Ca 430, Mg 1700, NO3 0-0.25, PO4 0.04, 34.4 PPT Lights @ 100% all others, 35% White Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 120lbs live rocks, Hydra52 2x120W, 2 MP40+ 1 MP10 @ 70%, Phosban 550 GFO+Carbon, 200W Heater, SWC Skimmer, Kalk ATO, 150 gpd RODI

02/25/2007, 08:21 PM	#4
JTEAGUE Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: N.C. Posts: 318	I think I have tried everything short of glueing the 3/4 inch nipple into the Ocean Runner pump. Which I'm sure would be a bad idea seeings how it has an o ring on it.

02/25/2007, 08:26 PM	#5
JTEAGUE Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: N.C. Posts: 318	I also though about the break in period. I did not worry about it at first, it has been three weeks. The break in was my hope but I think that one went out the window.

02/25/2007, 08:33 PM	#6
zach202 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA (Douglasville) Posts: 125	What do you mean by plumbing problems?

02/25/2007, 08:37 PM	#7
JTEAGUE Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: N.C. Posts: 318	Plumbing problems as referred to in this thread would be air entering into a return line somewhere between the return pump and the return exit into the tank. Probably between the return pump and bulkhead (less than two feet). Sounds easy to fix but such a headache.

02/25/2007, 08:41 PM	#8
zach202 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA (Douglasville) Posts: 125	Would it be possible to have this issue without a water leak? Ive got the same issue and its driving me crazy.

02/25/2007, 08:42 PM	#9
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Is there something on the suction side of the pump causing a restriction? Describe your sump and all your overflow and return plumbing including sizes and lengths. Do you have baffles between the skimmer section and the return section?

02/25/2007, 08:56 PM	#10
JTEAGUE Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: N.C. Posts: 318	AZDesertRat - The pump did have a plate over the intake which I removed. The sump is a Pro Clear Aquatics 200. It does not really have baffles for the purpose of bubbles, so I use the filter socks. The return plumbing is 3/4 in. flex tubing with a ball valve and stainless steal hose clamps. The hose from pump to bulkhead is about two feet long. The overflow is an AGA rated at 600 GPH and drains through a flex spa type hose into a fiter sock. Currently the ball valve is closed about a quarter turn. If I had to guess I'd say I'm pushing 400-500 GPH. I dont see any bubbles in the sump hence ny confussion. with my old pump the filter socks solved the microbubbles. I hope I covered everything you asked. Thanks

02/25/2007, 09:03 PM	#12
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	The return side is probably fine. You really do need baffles to solve a microbubble problem even with perfect plumbing. Turn the lights out and shine a flash light through to sump from side to side and see how cloudy it is, bubbles will show up you could not see before if they are present.

02/25/2007, 09:04 PM	#13
JTEAGUE Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: N.C. Posts: 318	I have a solid stream. I even tried shaking the return pump to make any bubbles rise. I also covered the ends of the locline to build up back pressure for any air, all to no avail!

02/26/2007, 08:31 AM	#14
JTEAGUE Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: N.C. Posts: 318	AZDesertRat - I dont have lights on the sump, and I do use the flashlight and do not see bubbles. I was afraid I would have to make some baffles but was not sure if that would work since I saw no bubbles?

02/26/2007, 09:50 AM	#15
kryppy Moved Down Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 869	Micro bubble problems never leak water with the system on. Sometimes when it is off you can find a tiny drip on the threads of the fitting causing it, they are always somewhere in the intake portion, since any problem on the outlet side will leak water out and not make bubbles. Sometimes pouring water over the fittings will reveal the suction leak....and epoxy will then cure it if it is a PITA to fix or is a glued joint. A snail or other restriction in or near the pump intake can cause the water to cavatate throwing air pulled out of the water everywhere as micro bubbles, and the water test will find nothing. This scenario got me good recently...

02/26/2007, 01:28 PM	#16
JTEAGUE Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: N.C. Posts: 318	kryppy - Thanks I had not thought of that. I will look into it when i get home.

02/26/2007, 04:19 PM	#18
JTEAGUE Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: N.C. Posts: 318	Yes it is submerged, I even switched it out to check for air.