Help, new DART C-L makes micro bubbles

kevensquint · 05/16/2006, 02:38 PM

I have a new PVC closed loop that I made with a Reeflo DART and 2" inlet piping and 1.5" outlet piping. At the top of the tank the 1.5" out goes up and over and then reduces to 1" with a few 45's and finally into two outlets. I tried to go as far as possible in the 1.5" so as not to loose GPH. I cannot figure out where the bubbles are coming from, in my previous fresh water test, there were'nt any. Now there are no leaks, I put silicone around some of the joints to eliminate perhaps a bad seal and still no luck. I heard something about curving piping itself producing the micr-bubbles. Any ideas.

keeperofthefish · 05/16/2006, 03:08 PM

That is a complex description but hard to follow. Can you post a pic? A reeflo dart is a LOT of flow. Any even tiny pinhole could suck in air with that pressure. I don't notice any description of ball joints on there you should have one to restrict flow going back into the tank, I believe. If you do, have you tried cranking that back? If you don't, you should stick one in, I'm afraid. That solved my problem with a too-powerful return pump.

Crusty Old Shellback · 05/16/2006, 03:13 PM

Look for micro air leaks on the input side of the pump, that's usually where you'd get air into the system. If there is a micro hole on the output side, you'd have a leak.

fittdog8848 · 05/16/2006, 03:23 PM

I would agree that it has to be the plumbing to the pump or something wrong with the chassis.

Just saw one get install and it is a nice little unit.

kevensquint · 05/16/2006, 04:22 PM

Sorry for the complicated story, Ok, good ideas. I will go over ALL the joints on the intake with a sealant. I have two ball valves just above the pump, one on the in and one on the out. I can try to turn down the output a bit, but what a shame, I chose the DART because I wanted its full flow. If there are any other ideas, please let me know.

kevensquint · 05/16/2006, 05:33 PM

Ok, when I turn down the output flow ballvalve by 1/4, there are no more micro bubbles. What a waste.

05/16/2006, 02:38 PM	#1
kevensquint Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: new york Posts: 2,277	Help, new DART C-L makes micro bubbles I have a new PVC closed loop that I made with a Reeflo DART and 2" inlet piping and 1.5" outlet piping. At the top of the tank the 1.5" out goes up and over and then reduces to 1" with a few 45's and finally into two outlets. I tried to go as far as possible in the 1.5" so as not to loose GPH. I cannot figure out where the bubbles are coming from, in my previous fresh water test, there were'nt any. Now there are no leaks, I put silicone around some of the joints to eliminate perhaps a bad seal and still no luck. I heard something about curving piping itself producing the micr-bubbles. Any ideas.

05/16/2006, 03:13 PM	#3
Crusty Old Shellback MASVC OG Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Home of the FREE, Thanks to the BRAVE! Posts: 5,089	Look for micro air leaks on the input side of the pump, that's usually where you'd get air into the system. If there is a micro hole on the output side, you'd have a leak. __________________ Have you THANKED a Veteran lately for the freedoms you take for granted each day? Best quote ever! "This is a hobby for God sakes and so many people get so uptite. A "hobby" so it should be fun and not a cause to worry or go broke." Paul B Current Tank Info: Tankless for a while. RIP my 8+ yr old pair of Naso tangs, 4 + yr old Moorish Idol

05/16/2006, 03:23 PM	#4
fittdog8848 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 308	I would agree that it has to be the plumbing to the pump or something wrong with the chassis. Just saw one get install and it is a nice little unit. __________________ When Chuck Norris falls in water, Chuck Norris doesn't get wet. Water gets Chuck Norris. Current Tank Info: 100g Reef with 50g refugium/sump

05/16/2006, 03:08 PM	#2
keeperofthefish Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 228	That is a complex description but hard to follow. Can you post a pic? A reeflo dart is a LOT of flow. Any even tiny pinhole could suck in air with that pressure. I don't notice any description of ball joints on there you should have one to restrict flow going back into the tank, I believe. If you do, have you tried cranking that back? If you don't, you should stick one in, I'm afraid. That solved my problem with a too-powerful return pump.

05/16/2006, 04:22 PM	#5
kevensquint Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: new york Posts: 2,277	Sorry for the complicated story, Ok, good ideas. I will go over ALL the joints on the intake with a sealant. I have two ball valves just above the pump, one on the in and one on the out. I can try to turn down the output a bit, but what a shame, I chose the DART because I wanted its full flow. If there are any other ideas, please let me know.

05/16/2006, 05:33 PM	#6
kevensquint Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: new york Posts: 2,277	Ok, when I turn down the output flow ballvalve by 1/4, there are no more micro bubbles. What a waste.