plumbing question

drewp808 · 02/04/2010, 04:22 AM

i have a 90g and a 18g running into a sump. 90G to skimmer section and 18G to fuge, i currently have a maxi jet 1200 running from the skimmer section to the 18G, which is drilled from the side approx 1inch from the top and currently a 90 elbow turned up which acts as the drain.
My problem is that the return to the fuge creates alot of bubbles.
How can i reduce the amount of bubbles?
descrease the flow? maxi 600? 900? ball valve?
i did try a sponge at the end of the tube of the drain but the bubbles just went around it.

KRAZ4REEFS · 02/04/2010, 07:19 AM

Are the bubbles from the skimmer or just from flow/ draining back to the fuge? If its from the skimmer, you can try installing a baffle to get the air to surface before it gets to the pump or a filter on the inlet of the pump. If it's from draining back to the fuge, you will have to slow the flow or drop back to the fuge.

drewp808 · 02/05/2010, 02:25 AM

how do you post pics?

drewp808 · 02/05/2010, 02:28 AM

so my plumbing is from the skimmer section but it goes to the 18g and then to the fuge, and i dont see any bubbles in the 18G that is flowing back down the drain to the fuge, so i think its the air thats getting sucked in from the 90 elbow

cdbias2 · 02/05/2010, 04:50 AM

Use a filter sock on your return line.

KRAZ4REEFS · 02/05/2010, 07:05 AM

You can also put a ball valve in the pipe just before it enters the sump, close it off just enough to slow the flow a little, not too much or you could have alot of water on the floor ;-) this would reduce if not eliminate the bubbles and get rid of any sucking noise you might have at the same time. I don't like using bags myself because they will trap shrimp, pods ect that you want in the tank, not in the bag.

LS1 WS6 · 02/05/2010, 08:34 AM

If there is air getting sucked in at the elbow then seal it up.

02/04/2010, 04:22 AM	#1
drewp808 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HONOLULU Posts: 143	plumbing question i have a 90g and a 18g running into a sump. 90G to skimmer section and 18G to fuge, i currently have a maxi jet 1200 running from the skimmer section to the 18G, which is drilled from the side approx 1inch from the top and currently a 90 elbow turned up which acts as the drain. My problem is that the return to the fuge creates alot of bubbles. How can i reduce the amount of bubbles? descrease the flow? maxi 600? 900? ball valve? i did try a sponge at the end of the tube of the drain but the bubbles just went around it.

02/04/2010, 07:19 AM	#2
KRAZ4REEFS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Succasunna, New Jersey Posts: 560	Are the bubbles from the skimmer or just from flow/ draining back to the fuge? If its from the skimmer, you can try installing a baffle to get the air to surface before it gets to the pump or a filter on the inlet of the pump. If it's from draining back to the fuge, you will have to slow the flow or drop back to the fuge. __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: 210 in wall Reef

02/05/2010, 07:05 AM	#6
KRAZ4REEFS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Succasunna, New Jersey Posts: 560	You can also put a ball valve in the pipe just before it enters the sump, close it off just enough to slow the flow a little, not too much or you could have alot of water on the floor ;-) this would reduce if not eliminate the bubbles and get rid of any sucking noise you might have at the same time. I don't like using bags myself because they will trap shrimp, pods ect that you want in the tank, not in the bag. __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: 210 in wall Reef

02/05/2010, 02:25 AM	#3
drewp808 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HONOLULU Posts: 143	how do you post pics?

02/05/2010, 02:28 AM	#4
drewp808 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HONOLULU Posts: 143	so my plumbing is from the skimmer section but it goes to the 18g and then to the fuge, and i dont see any bubbles in the 18G that is flowing back down the drain to the fuge, so i think its the air thats getting sucked in from the 90 elbow

02/05/2010, 04:50 AM	#5
cdbias2 Appalachian Reef Society Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alum Creek, WV (No more) Posts: 1,433	Use a filter sock on your return line.

02/05/2010, 08:34 AM	#7
LS1 WS6 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Spokane Wa. Posts: 92	If there is air getting sucked in at the elbow then seal it up.