Microbubbles coming from return (pics)

SteveNMegz · 01/19/2008, 07:20 PM

Hey guys

We just noticed that our return pipe from the sump is either shooting out or making a lot of microbubbles.

We're not sure if there would be air trapped in the return line (clear tube, and it doesn't look like it), or perhaps the water is existing the pipe to close to the surface.

Here are some pics, from the sump we have a Mag5 pump, feeding a 3/4" clear tubing to the CPVC piping on the back of the tank, a 90 goes over the tank wall another brings it down, and another directs flow across the surface.

What could be the possible problem???

Thanks!

ycnibrc · 01/19/2008, 08:22 PM

is the cap seal tight?If not it will suck air into the water and create micro bubble

Entropy · 01/19/2008, 08:25 PM

Any chance the return pump is sucking in bubbles? It doesn't take more than a couple little bubbles chopped up by the impellar to make a bunch of bubbles in the tank.

If not that, I would suspect you have a tiny air leak somewhere along the line. Any salt creep forming or moisture showing between the return pump and the display tank?

SteveNMegz · 01/19/2008, 08:36 PM

Not that we see

SteveNMegz · 01/19/2008, 08:38 PM

What doi you mean by cap seal... and we just checked there is no salt creep.....

is there anyway that too much surface aggitation could be causing bubbles to fall back into the tank

Entropy · 01/19/2008, 08:42 PM

I think he was talking about the cap on the T where the tubing hooks on. I am not sure why you used a T there?

Anyway, looking at your picture again I think you exhaust is too close to the surface. It looks like it could be grabbing air of the surface and blasting it into bubbles. It might be worth a try to lower it about an inch or so. Just make sure your sump can handle the water if you don't have a syphon break.

01/19/2008, 07:20 PM	#1
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	Microbubbles coming from return (pics) Hey guys We just noticed that our return pipe from the sump is either shooting out or making a lot of microbubbles. We're not sure if there would be air trapped in the return line (clear tube, and it doesn't look like it), or perhaps the water is existing the pipe to close to the surface. Here are some pics, from the sump we have a Mag5 pump, feeding a 3/4" clear tubing to the CPVC piping on the back of the tank, a 90 goes over the tank wall another brings it down, and another directs flow across the surface. What could be the possible problem??? Thanks! __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

01/19/2008, 08:22 PM	#2
ycnibrc STAG HORN DOMINATE REEF Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irvine, California Posts: 3,348	is the cap seal tight?If not it will suck air into the water and create micro bubble __________________ SDR STAGHORN DOMINATE REEF Feature Reef of November 2019 GHL TOTM FEB 2020 ABC corals Current Tank Info: 360g Peninsula sps

01/19/2008, 08:25 PM	#3
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Any chance the return pump is sucking in bubbles? It doesn't take more than a couple little bubbles chopped up by the impellar to make a bunch of bubbles in the tank. If not that, I would suspect you have a tiny air leak somewhere along the line. Any salt creep forming or moisture showing between the return pump and the display tank? __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

01/19/2008, 08:36 PM	#4
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	Not that we see __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

01/19/2008, 08:38 PM	#5
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	What doi you mean by cap seal... and we just checked there is no salt creep..... is there anyway that too much surface aggitation could be causing bubbles to fall back into the tank __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

01/19/2008, 08:42 PM	#6
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	I think he was talking about the cap on the T where the tubing hooks on. I am not sure why you used a T there? Anyway, looking at your picture again I think you exhaust is too close to the surface. It looks like it could be grabbing air of the surface and blasting it into bubbles. It might be worth a try to lower it about an inch or so. Just make sure your sump can handle the water if you don't have a syphon break. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g