Micro Bubbles HELP!!!

1fishkeeper · 08/24/2008, 06:08 PM

Hey everyone I have a quick question to ask. I got my 90gal all plumbed and up and running but now I have masive mico bubbles in my tank. I have checked in the sump near the intake of the pump and I dont see any so I belive that it has to be in one of the joints. Is there a way to check the joints to see if its sucking air or not with out taking the tank apart? Please help me with this its driving me nuts looking at all of them micro bubbles in my DT.

diverdick · 08/24/2008, 06:16 PM

Are there micro bubbles in your sump? Could be your skimmer return is delivering MB's directly to your circulation pump.

If its a joint, odds are its on the suction side of your pump. Look closely at that area first. If there is a void on a pressurized pipe, you would have a water leak for sure.

Good Luck!

Regards,

--Rich

diverdick · 08/24/2008, 06:17 PM

PS: if its the skimmer effluent causing the problem, put a filter sock at that area and the bubbles will be greatly reduced. Worked for me ... lol

rockworm · 08/24/2008, 06:31 PM

I experienced a similar thing. I found a joint that was not completely sealed. It did not leak water, but there was just enough of a pin hole in the glue joint to draw in air.

Also, If you have drilled anti-siphon holes, one may be too close to the surface and is drawing air in. This happened to someone else here on RC.

If you are sure it is not from the sump, I would not take the plumbing apart. I would try to seal each joint with a little silicone. Recheck the sump with a strong light. I have found the bubbles to be almost invisible until they get in the tank under MH's (I do not have t5's) where they become very obvious.

Good luck

1fishkeeper · 08/24/2008, 06:37 PM

I have taken a flashlight to my sump at night and looked at the sections where the skimmer is and the bubbles are not making it past the bubble traps. Im thinking that it has to be a joint that is not sealed all the way. I guess I can try the silicone on the joints.

wigman27 · 08/25/2008, 04:35 AM

Just a thought,

I had a similar problem, are you useing any kind of water conditioner? When I first started I found that some water conditioners can cause major micro bubble problems.

crvz · 08/25/2008, 05:28 AM

If it's just recently setup (within the last 2 to 4 weeks), sometimes it just takes a while for plastics and other materials to settle down. I would be patient with it for a while to see if they go away some on their own.

08/24/2008, 06:08 PM	#1
1fishkeeper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Spanaway, WA Posts: 1,101	Micro Bubbles HELP!!! Hey everyone I have a quick question to ask. I got my 90gal all plumbed and up and running but now I have masive mico bubbles in my tank. I have checked in the sump near the intake of the pump and I dont see any so I belive that it has to be in one of the joints. Is there a way to check the joints to see if its sucking air or not with out taking the tank apart? Please help me with this its driving me nuts looking at all of them micro bubbles in my DT. __________________ "You can run but you will only die tired" U.S. Army Snipers

08/24/2008, 06:31 PM	#4
rockworm A-counting guy Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 673	I experienced a similar thing. I found a joint that was not completely sealed. It did not leak water, but there was just enough of a pin hole in the glue joint to draw in air. Also, If you have drilled anti-siphon holes, one may be too close to the surface and is drawing air in. This happened to someone else here on RC. If you are sure it is not from the sump, I would not take the plumbing apart. I would try to seal each joint with a little silicone. Recheck the sump with a strong light. I have found the bubbles to be almost invisible until they get in the tank under MH's (I do not have t5's) where they become very obvious. Good luck __________________ You can see my 400g build thread here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2577596 Current Tank Info: 400g SPS and 75g non SPS

08/24/2008, 06:37 PM	#5
1fishkeeper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Spanaway, WA Posts: 1,101	I have taken a flashlight to my sump at night and looked at the sections where the skimmer is and the bubbles are not making it past the bubble traps. Im thinking that it has to be a joint that is not sealed all the way. I guess I can try the silicone on the joints. __________________ "You can run but you will only die tired" U.S. Army Snipers

08/25/2008, 05:28 AM	#7
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	If it's just recently setup (within the last 2 to 4 weeks), sometimes it just takes a while for plastics and other materials to settle down. I would be patient with it for a while to see if they go away some on their own. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

08/24/2008, 06:16 PM	#2
diverdick Registered Member. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 1,183 Blog Entries: 1	Are there micro bubbles in your sump? Could be your skimmer return is delivering MB's directly to your circulation pump. If its a joint, odds are its on the suction side of your pump. Look closely at that area first. If there is a void on a pressurized pipe, you would have a water leak for sure. Good Luck! Regards, --Rich

08/24/2008, 06:17 PM	#3
diverdick Registered Member. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 1,183 Blog Entries: 1	PS: if its the skimmer effluent causing the problem, put a filter sock at that area and the bubbles will be greatly reduced. Worked for me ... lol

08/25/2008, 04:35 AM	#6
wigman27 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lithgow, NSW, Australia Posts: 32	Just a thought, I had a similar problem, are you useing any kind of water conditioner? When I first started I found that some water conditioners can cause major micro bubble problems.