bubbles from return pump

tgriffin · 10/14/2009, 10:14 AM

I have a friend of mine that is having hundreds of tiny bubbles coming from his return. There doesn't appear to be any leaks where air might be coming in so I have no clue..... Does anyone have any ideas where this might be coming from and how to correct it. Obviously replacing the pump would probably do it, but it would be nice if there was an easier/cheaper solution.

Thanks

Blownsvt · 10/14/2009, 10:24 AM

how is the sump designed? i get the same issue with mine when water evaporates out of the system and the level is lower. the water cascades over the last baffle and insted of flowing smoothly has a shotr drop to the water line on the other side. it greates air bubbles right in front of the return pump. once i top off the sumo everything is fine.

wbrown32 · 10/14/2009, 11:11 AM

I do have that problem if the water level gets low. Is it possible that the return pump is sucking in air somewhere? If it is what could be done to fix it?

Blownsvt · 10/14/2009, 11:32 AM

in my case the pump is not sucking in outside air because it is completely submerged. it is catching bubbles created by the falling water though. I am actually looking for a way to sheild the pump from the falling water so that it does not catch any bubbles.

wbrown32 · 10/14/2009, 11:39 AM

My pump is an external pump. It doesn't seem to be from the sump.

Rockhead21564 · 10/14/2009, 11:45 AM

whats the flow rate thru the sump? I've had that problem with too small a sump for the flow I've tried moving thru, i.e. 2000gph thru a 55g or 1000gph thru a 30g.

Blown 346 · 10/14/2009, 12:02 PM

Is the setup new? If so you will get bubbles for a little while until bacteris starts to slime things up.

Otherwise, is the skimmers drain (if you have one) near the intake of the pump or in the last chamber.

Or the pump could be too powerful for the size plumbing you are using.

lordofthereef · 10/14/2009, 12:05 PM

If it is external and you are getting TONS of microbubbles I would bet there is a leak somewhere around the intake area. You wouldn't see water leaking from here because air is being pulled in like a venturi and being chopped up by the impeller.

tgriffin · 10/14/2009, 02:06 PM

any ideas on fixing the problem if it is leaking

Reefer2727 · 10/14/2009, 02:54 PM

Is all your plumbing glued? You need to find out if air is getting pulled in.

Blown 346 · 10/14/2009, 06:10 PM

Im pretty suire you have a threaded PVC going into the inlet of the pump? I always use teflon tape on those to help seal. I go around it 4 or 5 times to make sure all threads have about 2 layers or so of teflon.

I would do that if you havent. I would shut the pump down, and watch where your PVC connections are glued together. If there is a leak somewhere you will find it when the pump is off. Run your finger over the connections and feel for water, since you might not get dripping. If you do have a leak get your primer and go around it, once you dry it off. And then glue it again. Let that setup for 30 minutes or so. Its always worked for me.

Moebuis · 10/14/2009, 06:53 PM

Another possibility would be that the pump is cavitating. This will happen if the intake of the pump is restricted. If you have any valves, make sure that they are on the output end and not restricting the intake.

wbrown32 · 10/15/2009, 01:30 AM

Thanks so much for all the ideas. I am going to look at all these possibilities as soon as I get off work.
Again thank you very much. I will post if I find the problem.

10/14/2009, 10:14 AM	#1
tgriffin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 357	bubbles from return pump I have a friend of mine that is having hundreds of tiny bubbles coming from his return. There doesn't appear to be any leaks where air might be coming in so I have no clue..... Does anyone have any ideas where this might be coming from and how to correct it. Obviously replacing the pump would probably do it, but it would be nice if there was an easier/cheaper solution. Thanks

10/14/2009, 11:45 AM	#6
Rockhead21564 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Up North Vanderbilt, Michigan Posts: 525	whats the flow rate thru the sump? I've had that problem with too small a sump for the flow I've tried moving thru, i.e. 2000gph thru a 55g or 1000gph thru a 30g. __________________ Sometimes I just don't get IT ! I want IT, but she won't let me buy anything else. Well, that she knows about anyway, Bah hahahaha Current Tank Info: 280g reef w/90g refug/reef & 90g sump;210g FOWLR W/20"Pnthr Grper,10"niger,36"zebra & 24" Tiger eels. 55g clam tank w/ 9,"8",6",5"& 4" Corceas, 9" Blue &12"orange squamosas

10/14/2009, 12:05 PM	#8
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	If it is external and you are getting TONS of microbubbles I would bet there is a leak somewhere around the intake area. You wouldn't see water leaking from here because air is being pulled in like a venturi and being chopped up by the impeller. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/14/2009, 10:24 AM	#2
Blownsvt Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 514	how is the sump designed? i get the same issue with mine when water evaporates out of the system and the level is lower. the water cascades over the last baffle and insted of flowing smoothly has a shotr drop to the water line on the other side. it greates air bubbles right in front of the return pump. once i top off the sumo everything is fine.

10/14/2009, 11:11 AM	#3
wbrown32 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 5	I do have that problem if the water level gets low. Is it possible that the return pump is sucking in air somewhere? If it is what could be done to fix it?

10/14/2009, 11:32 AM	#4
Blownsvt Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 514	in my case the pump is not sucking in outside air because it is completely submerged. it is catching bubbles created by the falling water though. I am actually looking for a way to sheild the pump from the falling water so that it does not catch any bubbles.

10/14/2009, 11:39 AM	#5
wbrown32 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 5	My pump is an external pump. It doesn't seem to be from the sump.

10/14/2009, 12:02 PM	#7
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	Is the setup new? If so you will get bubbles for a little while until bacteris starts to slime things up. Otherwise, is the skimmers drain (if you have one) near the intake of the pump or in the last chamber. Or the pump could be too powerful for the size plumbing you are using.

10/14/2009, 02:06 PM	#9
tgriffin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 357	any ideas on fixing the problem if it is leaking

10/14/2009, 02:54 PM	#10
Reefer2727 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 995	Is all your plumbing glued? You need to find out if air is getting pulled in.

10/14/2009, 06:10 PM	#11
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	Im pretty suire you have a threaded PVC going into the inlet of the pump? I always use teflon tape on those to help seal. I go around it 4 or 5 times to make sure all threads have about 2 layers or so of teflon. I would do that if you havent. I would shut the pump down, and watch where your PVC connections are glued together. If there is a leak somewhere you will find it when the pump is off. Run your finger over the connections and feel for water, since you might not get dripping. If you do have a leak get your primer and go around it, once you dry it off. And then glue it again. Let that setup for 30 minutes or so. Its always worked for me.

10/14/2009, 06:53 PM	#12
Moebuis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hampstead, MD Posts: 236	Another possibility would be that the pump is cavitating. This will happen if the intake of the pump is restricted. If you have any valves, make sure that they are on the output end and not restricting the intake.

10/15/2009, 01:30 AM	#13
wbrown32 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 5	Thanks so much for all the ideas. I am going to look at all these possibilities as soon as I get off work. Again thank you very much. I will post if I find the problem.