micro-bubble trouble coming from return line?

dirtywater · 08/07/2006, 07:15 PM

I have a 70-gallon tank w/ a 20-gallon sump; I've had it going for ten weeks. Since it's been running I've had trouble w/ it being cloudy. When I looked closer I notice some white dots and some micro-bubbles. I've eliminated the white dots w/ media in the bubble traps but in doing so I noticed the return line was covered in crystallized salt from top to bottom, I found it unusual. I removed the crystallized salt from the return line (tank has overflow box in the aquarium) and have noticed (I think) the micro-bubbles are worse. Doing research on reefcentral, I found a thread bout micro bubbles coming from the return line, there are no micro-bubbles in the sumps return area. I think I know what I need to do, re-do the return line but would like a little conformation, thanks.

Agu · 08/07/2006, 07:27 PM

If you have a small leak in the return line it will suck air like a venturi and return micro bubbles to your tank. The salt creep was probably partially blocking the leak and reducing the bubbles that's why cleaning the pipes created a worse problem.

If you can isolate the offending joint you might be able to solve the problem with epoxy putty around the joint. Ideally you would block the pump intake (with the pump off), fill the return line, and watch for which joint is leaking.

Good Luck,

08/07/2006, 07:15 PM	#1
dirtywater Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Posts: 7	micro-bubble trouble coming from return line? I have a 70-gallon tank w/ a 20-gallon sump; I've had it going for ten weeks. Since it's been running I've had trouble w/ it being cloudy. When I looked closer I notice some white dots and some micro-bubbles. I've eliminated the white dots w/ media in the bubble traps but in doing so I noticed the return line was covered in crystallized salt from top to bottom, I found it unusual. I removed the crystallized salt from the return line (tank has overflow box in the aquarium) and have noticed (I think) the micro-bubbles are worse. Doing research on reefcentral, I found a thread bout micro bubbles coming from the return line, there are no micro-bubbles in the sumps return area. I think I know what I need to do, re-do the return line but would like a little conformation, thanks.

08/07/2006, 07:27 PM	#2
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	If you have a small leak in the return line it will suck air like a venturi and return micro bubbles to your tank. The salt creep was probably partially blocking the leak and reducing the bubbles that's why cleaning the pipes created a worse problem. If you can isolate the offending joint you might be able to solve the problem with epoxy putty around the joint. Ideally you would block the pump intake (with the pump off), fill the return line, and watch for which joint is leaking. Good Luck, __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks