Micro-Bubbles

[MichaelReefer]

I noticed I seem to be getting more and more Micro Bubbles in my display.

I checked my skimmer and my return pump and I dont see any bubbles in their chambers. So i'm not quite sure where they could be coming from.

Anyone have an opinions on what else I should check?

I did notice that when my Gyre kicks on it creates a little "Tornado" above it, could it be sucking air? I have it like four inches under the surface and only set to 10% bursts but it still does it.

It's a Reefer 250, if that helps at all.

 

[Retro Reefer]

If your gyre is creating a vortex above it that’s probably the culprit, try lowering it a little.

 

[MichaelReefer]

If your gyre is creating a vortex above it that’s probably the culprit, try lowering it a little.

Hmm, ok I will give it a shot. Yeah I notice when I'm watching TV and occasionally I see it do it. Just weird cause it's already probably close to four inches down and it's only set to 10%. It is a Gyre 350 though.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Another possibility though probably unlikely is you have a small hole somewhere in the return line that’s acting like a Venturi and sucking tiny amounts of air into the line.

 

[Peace River]

@Retro Reefer has covered the most likely items. You may want to turn off items one by one (including, the gyre, return pump, skimmer, and any other pumps in the system) as you troubleshoot the issue. Good luck!

 

[MichaelReefer]

@Retro Reefer has covered the most likely items. You may want to turn off items one by one (including, the gyre, return pump, skimmer, and any other pumps in the system) as you troubleshoot the issue. Good luck!

Hmm, ok thanks. I will start with the Gyre and go from there. I stuck my head in there and checked and didnt see one bubble so it must either be the gyre or the return line?

 

[PeaBrain]

Just wondering if you figured this out. I am having a similar issue.

 

[William Robinson]

+1 to wondering if this got solved?
Im having the same issue. DC controllable pump. Ice cap 1K Gyres, all hard line PVC plumbing, 8" high bubble traps and micro bubbles in the DT.... Some I would just call bubbles and not so micro...

 

[AdamD76]

My return line will sometimes create a little whirlpool and blow some bubbles around.

 

[Super Fly]

Can u tell if the bubbles r coming from the return? Turn off gyre n see if there r still bubbles. If so then source is from sump or return pipes. This happens to my tank for few hrs after i do WC bc in my return plumbing pipes there’s a section w clear hose that dips down a bit where air gets trapped when return pump is off.

 

[William Robinson]

So I didn't think it was my skimmer but turns out it is. It is putting out a constant stream of micro bubbles. I put the light diffusers underneath slowly raising it up until I'm concerned about it's efficiency. Still a stream of bubbles. DT may be slightly better but not really all that great. Any ideas?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Needto break up the bubbles prior to them entering your DT. Possibly put skimmer into a chamber that has baffles before return pump? Put sponges around it to break them up? Add a baffle or 2? Is is a leak in the sump that you can silicon?
Just some ideas. Good Luck!

 

[William Robinson]

Needto break up the bubbles prior to them entering your DT. Possibly put skimmer into a chamber that has baffles before return pump? Put sponges around it to break them up? Add a baffle or 2? Is is a leak in the sump that you can silicon?
Just some ideas. Good Luck!

I've got a bubble trap, sponge filter built into the sump and they're still making it through... Pretty annoying for sure. Going to try and plumb the outlet of the skimmer up near the surface so they are pushed up to begin with. We'll see out it goes...

 

[DeniseAndy]

Man, I hate that. I had a pico tank I could not get micro bubbles out without changing the entire set up. Good luck!

 

[Super Fly]

I've got a bubble trap, sponge filter built into the sump and they're still making it through... Pretty annoying for sure. Going to try and plumb the outlet of the skimmer up near the surface so they are pushed up to begin with. We'll see out it goes...

can u try to find the leak in the skimmer (looks like the water level control pipe is creating leak, check the O ring where it connects to elbow) otherwise any pix of sponge filter?

 

[William Robinson]

can u try to find the leak in the skimmer (looks like the water level control pipe is creating leak, check the O ring where it connects to elbow) otherwise any pix of sponge filter?

The control pipe is sealed properly with a new o-ring. I can see the bubble escaping from the ventury area. As for the bubble trap area its your normal foam bulb trap with a 6 inch drop. Its a thin sponge trap though because it is a refugium cube sump. This is on my cube tank so space was limited and the cube sump was the best option at the time although the issue here to me atleast is the fact a broken in skimmer blowing all those bubbles. I may strip it down and break it in again just to try that.

 

[Super Fly]

ok, then I'd try adding a layer of filter pad on top of existing foam bubble trap. Something like this, u can cut it w sizzor to match size and throw away and replace when it gets dirty.