Bubble forming in the sump

[foxt]

If it were me, I'd run the skimmer anyway and let it help get rid of whatever might be causing the foam. As it is, you're running a skimmer in your filter sock with no easy way to remove the foam.

 

[Billldg]

I agree with above, it looks like the water level in the sump is to high, its hard to judge height in a picture, but if its higher than 8 to 9 inches I would lower it to that. You will find that is a juggling act with flow and height in a sump system, but when you figure it out it becomes no big deal.

 

[philosophile]

Try running some carbon.... I think, like many others, you may have some residual cleaners in your set up somewhere, and the carbon can take most of that out.

 

[Jhern]

I agree with above, it looks like the water level in the sump is to high, its hard to judge height in a picture, but if its higher than 8 to 9 inches I would lower it to that. You will find that is a juggling act with flow and height in a sump system, but when you figure it out it becomes no big deal.

The height of water is about 9”. I just turned on the skimmer and going to let it run.

 

[Jhern]

Try running some carbon.... I think, like many others, you may have some residual cleaners in your set up somewhere, and the carbon can take most of that out.

I do have a carbon and god reactor running

 

[Jhern]

If it were me, I'd run the skimmer anyway and let it help get rid of whatever might be causing the foam. As it is, you're running a skimmer in your filter sock with no easy way to remove the foam.

Just turned on the skimmer and I posted a picture below of what is occurring now with it on

 

[Jhern]

I agree with above, it looks like the water level in the sump is to high, its hard to judge height in a picture, but if its higher than 8 to 9 inches I would lower it to that. You will find that is a juggling act with flow and height in a sump system, but when you figure it out it becomes no big deal.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Somethings not right with your sump.. who makes it? Does it have adjustable baffles? Typically skimmer should be in the center section and your inlet section of sump shouldn’t have that much water in it.

 

[Jhern]

Somethings not right with your sump.. who makes it? Does it have adjustable baffles? Typically skimmer should be in the center section and your inlet section of sump shouldn’t have that much water in it.

It’s a trigger sump 30. Not sure what baffles are. I can try putting my skimmer in the middle.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Not the best picture and I don’t use socks anymore but you can see my water level in the return section where sock goes..

 

[Jhern]

Not the best picture and I don’t use socks anymore but you can see my water level in the return section where sock goes..

Yea I see what you’re saying. Do you think my return pump is maybe to strong ?

 

[Retro Reefer]

Yea I see what you’re saying. Do you think my return pump is maybe to strong ?

Probably not.. the more water it pulls from sump the lower the water level will be.. might not be strong enough.. here is where your water levels should be..

 

[Retro Reefer]

Actually looking at that picture it would be a inch or so lower.. level with the “teeth” in the final baffle before return section.

 

[Jhern]

Probably not.. the more water it pulls from sump the lower the water level will be.. might not be strong enough.. here is where your water levels should be..

Thanks for the picture. So I should increase the return rate? And I have a vectra M2 and running it on the second lowest setting, how much more should I increase it ?

 

[Jhern]

Actually looking at that picture it would be a inch or so lower.. level with the “teeth” in the final baffle before return section.

With the skimmer on, it’s just been creating a lot more bubbles

 

[Retro Reefer]

Thanks for the picture. So I should increase the return rate? And I have a vectra M2 and running it on the second lowest setting, how much more should I increase it ?

Yes.. crank it up slowly and see what happens, watch your overflow and drains to make sure your not over driving them.

 

[Retro Reefer]

With the skimmer on, it’s just been creating a lot more bubbles

If skimmer has drain hose I would collect that foam in a bucket and replace it fresh salt water as needed..

 

[Retro Reefer]

I’m looking at your original pictures again and your sump may actually be at the correct level as designed by the manufacturer.. as long as the top of your sock is a couple inches above water line although not ideal it should work, not the best design and I see they no longer make that sump.

 

[Jhern]

I’m looking at your original pictures again and your sump may actually be at the correct level as designed by the manufacturer.. as long as the top of your sock is a couple inches above water line although not ideal it should work, not the best design and I see they no longer make that sump.

It’s a trigger sump clear 30. They still make it. I just bought it a couple 2 weeks ago. I don’t have saltwater to replace it right now with now

 

[Retro Reefer]

Ok I thought all the ones they make currently where different colors, Just going by your original pictures with all the foam and the angle that it was taken it appeared water level was way to high but Iooks like that’s the way it’s designed. With that in mind you could run your skimmer in the first section, you may need a stand for it as it appears it’s pretty deep.. I would check manufacturers recommendation.

Doing a little digging I found a better picture of levels..