Microbubble problem, please help!

dturner · Mar 3, 2012

I set up my new 120 gallon about a week ago and since I set the tank up I have been having problems with microbubbles and it's driving me insane!

I have a few theories as to where they are coming from, but I don't know what to do to stop them.

First, where the water flows into my corner overflows it creates a waterfall and a ton of bubbles which are getting sucked down into my sump.

I looked at the water going into my filter socks and it's very foamy due to the massive amounts of bubbles.

I have a 3 piece of glass baffle system right before my return section, but apparently that isn't helping as much as I'd like.

What can I do to stop these microbubbles, it's bothering me enormously. If they would stop I would be 100% satisfied with my tank. UGH!!

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I have attached some pictures so you can get an idea of what is going on.

Thanks.

ThaBeast · Mar 3, 2012

New plumbing will make micro bubbles until it 'slimes up' or breaks in. I would raise that durso pipe so the water doesn't fall as far, must make a lot of noise as it is now. What return pump are you using?

reefpeeper · Mar 3, 2012

try filling the over flow with smaller pieces of live rock. not sure if it will work, but its an idea

dturner · Mar 3, 2012

HndMafia said:
New plumbing will make micro bubbles until it 'slimes up' or breaks in. I would raise that durso pipe so the water doesn't fall as far, must make a lot of noise as it is now. What return pump are you using?

I'm using two 500 gph return pumps. They are rated 500 @ 0 height, so I am sure they are less than that going up into my tank. I am not sure how to raise the durso pipe as I didn't install it myself, I think everything is glued together so I am pretty sure I'd have to start from scratch to move that pipe anywhere.

IBEW41 · Mar 4, 2012

do you have any valves on the pipes under your tank?

Otter_rs · Mar 4, 2012

I would remove the filter sock and extend the drain pipe to about an inch from the bottom of the sump. Also, drill a bunch of holes on the side of the pipe pointing into the corner from just underwater to about 3 inches under. That should gas all the airbubbles at the surface of the sump. I only use a filter sock when I clean. Then I would wait for a week or so until you get a biofilm on everything. It should calm down, new systems often have this problem.

dturner · Mar 5, 2012

I don't have any valves installed under my tank.

I think that sounds like a good idea otter, but won't my lack of filter socks cause a lot of stuff to stay in the water that would normally be caught by the socks (which I change every few days)?

Thanks for your input, I think your idea sounds great and I really appreciate your help, I will more than likely be trying this out and will post back with the results.

Otter_rs · Mar 5, 2012

Beleave it or not, a lot of the stuff floating around that gets caught up in a filter sock is alive. Copapods, bacteria, phytoplankton, larvae from spawning events. When this stuff(that would normally help feed your coral)gets caught in a filter sock it dies and decomposes, usually within a few hours. Without a sock, any of the stuff you would normally want to filter out settles easily to the bottom and is recycled by the critters in your sand and liverock. You can be just as effective in exporting this stuff by putting a filter sock in the system only when you go in and stir up that settled detritus with a Baster or something. Even then, only leave it in for a few hours at the most. Your system will be happier and healthier this way, I guarantee it.

dturner · Mar 5, 2012

Awesome, I will take your word for it. I did a little research and it seems that you don't need a sock, I was under the wrong impression this whole time. Thanks a lot for your help. I am out of town until next week but I plan on trying your idea out when I return.

Justin1997 · Nov 4, 2014

Hey I am having this problem with my 60 gallon cube, did you fix the problem if so how?

dturner · Nov 4, 2014

I shut down that particular tank but I ended up putting foam sponge blocks sort of offset (so water had a way to flow other than through the block) in the first baffle and it took care of the majority of them. I still wasn't satisfied with the results. I'm having a micro bubble problem in my new Jbj cube that I cannot get rid of. I guess all you can do is reduce the amount to a bearable level. Good luck to you.