Bubbles in display when turning on the return pump

bbhs23 · Dec 18, 2018

I have my apex turn off my return pump during feeding time. Every time I turn it back on, I get thousands of tiny bubbles that come out of the return. This lasts for about 10 seconds. The bubbles stay in the water for hours and make it look like there is a bunch of particles floating around.

My return is pretty standard...one pipe coming off of the pump (Cor 15), goes over the rim of the tank, and splits into 2 lines before changing to loc line and going back into the display. I have tried putting the ends of the loc line further into the water and also completely out of the water with no change.

I attached a video and also a picture of the return. Anything I can do to stop all of the bubbles? Thanks!

bbhs23 · Dec 18, 2018

Here is the picture of the return plumbing.

Cjud7982 · Dec 18, 2018

This is normal and expected whenever the return pump is shut off or flow is reduced. I am assuming what is happening is the return pump shuts off, water flows back to the sump, return lines break their syphon and pull air down filling the plumbing with air. This when the return pump is back on it blows all that air out.

This is one of the reasons I never put my return pump into feed mode. The only time I turn my return off is when I do water changes. I think alot allot of people on here do the same. This also forces your drain lines to reset and the change in sump water level really messes with the skimmer.

Maybe a check valve in the return line plumbing could help if you are set on turning the return pump off during feeding.

The way I do it, I just have my feed mode turn off the circulating pumps within the tank and everything else stays on. I sometimes turn my skimmer off to prevent it from sucking up food that may have made it's way to the sump.