micro bubble blues

[Dapple]

Well the darn micro bubbles are everywhere. The culprits are the skimmer and drain line. The sump design is a 30 gal. With 3 chambers return pump in the middle refugium on the left. Skimmer on the right. Bubble trap between skimmer and return pump sections. The darn bubbles still make it through the trap. I've tried putting that blue foam stuff in one side of the trap but the flow is slowed down way too much and backs up the water until overflows the trap. I guess I should have

made a 4 chamber trap. I need a material that will stop the bubbles but not the water flow.

 

[Dapple]

I'm using my smartphone for the pics I got the wrong pics. Let's

try again.

 

[copper]

Very nice looking set up. I was going to say that I had the same problem with my tank but it stopped after adding a filter sock to the drain line, but I see you aleady have a sock. Also, wondering if the height of drop from baffles into retun section or water level in return chamber might be a factor?

 

[Dapple]

That's a good point I don't have a sock on right now.

I'M going to try to find a 3" sock cause the drain line is 1.25" pvc. I tried to put that one back on but it filed with air.

 

[Dapple]

My leds will be here Tuesday. AI sol super blues. Tank is still cycling. It's week 3.

 

[Dapple]

I'm thinking of doing a arch across the middle.

 

[Engloid]

Microbubbles in the display are caused by:
1) Skimmer bubbles making it to the return pump
2) low water level at return pump causing it to suck in air.
3) Bubbles from the drain making it to the return pump.


By putting your return pump in the middle, you gave only one wall for bubbles to have to cross in order to get to the pump. You may reduce the bubbles from the left side by putting a sock filter on it. That makes all the bubbles come up INSIDE the sock, to the surface. You also could have too much flow over the wall into the return pump, causing bubbles. This may also be a problem on your skimmer side. Bubbles going through a bubble trap are caused by one thing....too much flow thrhough it.

You could try running more water from the tank to the left side, and less to the skimmer side. You may then have to use a sock filter AND cut gooves in the top of the divider to get more flow with less bubbling.

I would swap the pump and the skimmer section. This would give you a left to right flow through the sump. Water flows down from tank on left, goes over highest wall (reason flow can't be reversed)...then into the middle where the skimmer is. Water goes through bubble trap to the right side where the return pump is.

If you decide you want a 3" sock filter, I think I have a couple that I won't be using. All you gotta do is come get them. I think they are 12-14" long. I had to go to the 7" socks, 3 feet long. The little ones clogged up too fast.

 

[Engloid]

I'm thinking of doing a arch across the middle.

If I understand correctly what you're talking about, it won't work. It will trap bubbles in the top of the arch until there is no water flowing through it at all....unless you put an aqualifter in it to constantly pump out the air. I don't think it would solve your problem though.

 

[copper]

Does it improve with skimmer off?

 

[cee]

new skimmer = microbubbles

 

[Dapple]

It's a used skimmer. I think if I elbow the drain to push water towards the far right side plus do the skimmer drain the same way I might be able to force the bubbles away from the trap.

 

[Dapple]

The drain line is the main culprit. But skimmer throws bubbles as way.

 

[Dapple]

It's a MRC skimmer from Julie when she shut her system down I couldn't pass it up.

 

[Dapple]

When I mentioned the arch I was talking about a live rock arch in the display tank.

 

[cee]

MRC take a bit of breaking in, regardless of new or (cleaned up) used. Also, slow down the return and that should help. Filter sock in the return will also do wonders but I'm not a fan as they have to be replaced about every 3-4 days.

 

[Engloid]

That skimmer really isn't meant to be used in a sump, is it? That could be part of the problem.

Either way, I think too much flow, and putting the return pump in the middle are the two biggest problems. I understand your logic in doing it that way, but with such a small sump, you can't do it effectively unless you slow your flow rate.

 

[Dapple]

I slowed the return. And put a elbow on the drain and piped it further to the right helped tremendously. I cut a piece of acrylic and am putting it between the trap and skimmer to make an additional bubble breaker. I will keep yall involved

 

[cee]

Time will be your friend. Once you build up a bit of crud in the skimmer it will reduce the bubbles tremendously. When you clean it, don't clean the black box portion, only the clear acrylic riser and collection cup. About once a year soak the entire thing in 50/50 vinegar/water to remove the tube work skeletons that will accumulate but expect bubbles for a few days after doing so.

I've used MRCs in the sump before with no problems but did put an elbow on the output to direct the flow a bit away from the return pump. Make sure the skimmer outlet is not completely submerged under water and that will also help tremendously (it needs to have a portion above the waterline so as not to build up bubbles inside the plumbing).

 

[Dapple]

I wish I could plumb it different like you said. I don't have enough front to back clearance to even put a elbow on it. It's pretty tight fit. I did fix the problem with skimmer off. Check this out.

 

[Dapple]

I put even more acrylic in the sump next to the skimmer exhaust trying to force the bubbles up and away from trap if I can find a 1.5" specialty 90 elbow I may plumb it into the main drain.