Bubbles from return

[McDowellreef]

Have bubbles from a return . Going to re-do plumping from return pump to bulk head. Do I need to look at the plumping inside the over flow ?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Have bubbles from a return . Going to re-do plumping from return pump to bulk head. Do I need to look at the plumping inside the over flow ?

Could be a couple things. Can you share pictures of your sump setup? Could be skimmer output to close to return, or if your water falls over a baffle into the return chamber causing bubbles.

 

[Peace River]

Could be a couple things. Can you share pictures of your sump setup? Could be skimmer output to close to return, or if your water falls over a baffle into the return chamber causing bubbles.

+1

Did you set up your skimmer within the last two weeks? Did you do a thorough skimmer within the past two weeks? If so, you may want to give it some time for to break in and then the bubbles may subside. A triple baffle to form a bubble trap between the skimmer chamber and the return chamber may also help.

 

[McDowellreef]

Could be a couple things. Can you share pictures of your sump setup? Could be skimmer output to close to return, or if your water falls over a baffle into the return chamber causing bubbles.

Thanks for your feedback. Here’s a video

 

[Crabs McJones]

Thanks for your feedback. Here’s a video

I'm thinking your skimmer splashing on the first chamber may be what's causing it. Quite a bit of bubbles in the first chamber. Simple test, turn off your skimmer and see of the problem goes away

 

[McDowellreef]

+1

Did you set up your skimmer within the last two weeks? Did you do a thorough skimmer within the past two weeks? If so, you may want to give it some time for to break in and then the bubbles may subside. A triple baffle to form a bubble trap between the skimmer chamber and the return chamber may also help.

No, the skimmer has been going for awhile, finally saw the bubbles come out of the return. Thanks for the help.

 

[McDowellreef]

I'm thinking your skimmer splashing on the first chamber may be what's causing it. Quite a bit of bubbles in the first chamber. Simple test, turn off your skimmer and see of the problem goes away

Turned skimmer off. How long should I keep it off?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Turned skimmer off. How long should I keep it off?

I'd say leave it off for s good 10-15 minutes and see if the bubbles are gone

 

[W1ngz]

I'd think you'd see a change in minutes if the skimmer was the cause of the bubbles.

That resonant hum though... wow. Is that from the skimmer pump or the returns?

 

[McDowellreef]

I'd say leave it off for s good 10-15 minutes and see if the bubbles are gone

I'd say leave it off for s good 10-15 minutes and see if the bubbles are gone

Off for 20 min, still bubbles

 

[McDowellreef]

I'd think you'd see a change in minutes if the skimmer was the cause of the bubbles.

That resonant hum though... wow. Is that from the skimmer pump or the returns?

The hum is a fan I have on the other side. Repositioned fan and hum is gone now.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Off for 20 min, still bubbles

Ok so that rules out the skimmer. Is your return pump sucking any air that you can tell? Sometimes if the water level is low enough it'll get tiny amounts of air. Are you able to increase your sumps water level?

 

[dduby]

Does your return plumbing connect to bulkheads on your sump? If so, did you seal the joints? I went through something similar and the return lines sucking air at those joints created at lot of bubbles in my return section.

 

[McDowellreef]

Ok so that rules out the skimmer. Is your return pump sucking any air that you can tell? Sometimes if the water level is low enough it'll get tiny amounts of air. Are you able to increase your sumps water level?

Raised the water level about 2 inches, no change

 

[McDowellreef]

Does your return plumbing connect to bulkheads on your sump? If so, did you seal the joints? I went through something similar and the return lines sucking air at those joints created at lot of bubbles in my return section.

Not sure I understand. My return plumbing connects to my bulkheads on my tank.

 

[W1ngz]

It's not by chance coming from the one with the long horizontal run, is it? I'm wondering if there might be air trapped in that section of pipe. Does it stop after it's been running for a good while?

 

[dduby]

Not sure I understand. My return plumbing connects to my bulkheads on my tank.

LOL. I meant drain lines

Edit: Nevermind I re-watched and your drains are on the right hand side.

 

[McDowellreef]

It's not by chance coming from the one with the long horizontal run, is it? I'm wondering if there might be air trapped in that section of pipe. Does it stop after it's been running for a good while?

It’s been going on for months. I’m finally tired of it. That’s why I was going to replum the left return line. Was going to take a pic of my DT but lights just went off.

 

[BornHandy]

Can you rule out the return pump pulling in air from the surface? If that is the case, adding a 90 elbow to the pump inlet (pointing down) may help.

Is it possibly pulling in microbubbles from the previous chambers / or ones created at the last baffle? If so, a material that Bulk Reef Supply sells (aquamesh) may help. It goes after the baffle, and causes almost all bubbles that slip through to float up and pop at the surface. You can also build a "aquamesh box" around your return pump. It solved my problem...

 

[McDowellreef]

LOL. I meant drain lines

Edit: Nevermind I re-watched and your drains are on the right hand side.

Yes, they are hard plumed.