Microbubbles. How can I stop them from reaching the display tank?

[Dj City]

I've got a lot sorted with my aquarium but i need some help / advice / solution to microbubbles.

I'm getting microbubbles in the display. I think the return is getting them from 3 sources within the sump.

1. Overflow
Water comes into the sump and creates a lot of bubbles. A small amount of water goes through 3 slits directly to the return section. I believe the slits are there to prevent the first section from filling too much.
2. Refugium
From the section that the water enters the sump, there are 3 slots that feed the Refugium. Microbubbles enter the fugue and go directly to the return that's located right behind the Refugium.
3. Skimmer
Skimmer produces microbubbles and they are carried to the return section.

I have a 110gal display with the eshopps R300 sump. Skimmer is SCA 302. Return pump is Pond master mag drive (1200gph) 3/4 inch return line / 1 inch drain line. No hard plumbing.

I attached a pic of the sump and how the water flows through it.

If any of you can help, please let me know how t to stop these microbubbles from getting to the display tank.

This is an eshopps R300 sump.
http://www.eshopps.com/products/filters/refugium/r300/

 

[jason2459]

First I've seen that design. Personally don't like it but it iswhat it is now.

You could try an elbow on the return pump facing down and hope to not get as many bubbles.

Add a foam block to the skimmer intake. I don't like this option.

If the skimmer and sump is new it all may just need to break in and less microbubles will flow through.

Reduce flow through the sump. I.e. slow down the return pump.

 

[Dj City]

Sump is new. Skimmer is not new.
Never heard of foam block to skimmer intake before but if it works, it's worth a try.
I can't slow the return pump (yet). I did not have room to install the valve with this set up.
The return pump already has an elbow.

I order a DC pump. When it arrives, I will be able to slow the flow down. Hopefully that will help.

What about the design do you not like? What do you prefer?

 

[ReefQueen]

It looks like a piece of black foam is supposed to be behind the fuge in the return section, or is that not the case? If so that sponge should help reduce,if not eliminate, the bubbles.

 

[Dj City]

It looks like a piece of black foam is supposed to be behind the fuge in the return section, or is that not the case? If so that sponge should help reduce,if not eliminate, the bubbles.

It's there. It just is not stopping the microbubbles. There is a foam block (sheet) between the fuge and the return and another one between the skimmer section and return.

 

[ReefQueen]

It's there. It just is not stopping the microbubbles. There is a foam block (sheet) between the fuge and the return and another one between the skimmer section and return.

Hmmm, what about replacing it with a thicker foam? Or just run your skimmer at night, then you won't see them lol.

 

[jason2459]

Just careful the foam doesn't clog up. Not sure what it will do to that design but for most will reduce the water volume in the return section and increase everywhere else. Equals potential overflow and/or sucking of air.

 

[Seyoz]

The elbow facing down and just between the sponge block and the Pump, roll of that pre-filter felt material. Not packed tight, slightly smaller than sponge...
If it works but still some slip by, then get a sponge less dense than original and sandwich the material between... A bubble trap.

People used to wrap pump that drop in but don't like to restrict pump flow...

 

[Seyoz]

I wouldn't worry about the micro bubbles. In skimmer area right now focus on the bubbles entering return area.

If this works give me a call..

 

[Seyoz]

Focus on the display getting no micro bubbles, keep the bubbles in the sump. We'll work out the other areas. Don't use floss, and if possible try and get not super dense additional sponge. Since adding to the original sponge if in fact works better after you might replace original Spong will less dense like add-on as doubling density will slow pump...
But if both sponge blocks are to wedge material.for a more thorough bubble trap.
(562)

 

[jason2459]

..

What about the design do you not like? What do you prefer?

Main points I personally don't like which is most everything about it.
Looks like thin acrylic.
Looks like potential clogging into refugium section and from skimmer to return section.
No bubble trap.
Small return section.
Filter socks look to be taking up a lot of room which I don't like filter socks in the first place.
Can you get to tge section under the refugium easily or at all? I like accessibility to all areas.

 

[Seyoz]

It is what it is a great sump to alter and customizer to your tank.

I agree not with the quality of the sump you bought but that stock stuff needs to be altered for each systems better effectiveness.. Don't be discouraged, fine tuning!

Sponges and filter material..

I can't see if sponge reaches across whole return area, if so you might need to cut a piece of sponge to drop all way down just above pump and with hole for plumbing to go through.
Basically loosely just to create a barrier : pump, sponge of below,roll of pre-filter material and sponge above to sandwich between sponges.


If it doesn't make sense text me.

 

[Seyoz]

Better yet, use eggcrate light dissfuser plastic. Break/Cut into shape of whole return area. Extremely easy to run return through...now cut to shape the pre-filter felt roll. With enough to create lil barrier. Then sandwich the sponge for weight and when water falls on to sponge, slowly caught by pre-filter.
Better than double sponge ideas cause hate to slow flow too much...don't want pump running hotter....
But could try less dense sponges pre-filter and the crate combo.
I'm sure will work...give it some time..

 

[Seyoz]

First I've seen that design. Personally don't like it but it iswhat it is now.

You could try an elbow on the return pump facing down and hope to not get as many bubbles.

Add a foam block to the skimmer intake. I don't like this option.

If the skimmer and sump is new it all may just need to break in and less microbubles will flow through.

Reduce flow through the sump. I.e. slow down the return pump.

Have you owned one or tried this model? Cause a lot of people glue sections put bulkheads in different locations but I can appreciate the paths of least resistance. It's easy to be a critic, but personally I know he got a great deal!

 

[jason2459]

Have you owned one or tried this model? Cause a lot of people glue sections put bulkheads in different locations but I can appreciate the paths of least resistance. It's easy to be a critic, but personally I know he got a great deal!

First, am I not allowed to have an opinion? I personally don't like the design. I didn't say at all it was a terrible design.

Second, I was asked why I personally didn't like it. If I'm asked directly why I am going to answer which I did. Should I not answer a direct question?

Again, I believe I clearly stated it was my personal opinion.

My current design is my favorite so far but there are many designs out there I like as well. This thread is filled with great designs and the one I currently setup.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/best-sump-features-to-date.274203/page-5#post-3500331


And I really don't like using sponge to stop bubbles. They end up clogging and creating flow issues.

 

[pring51]

Sump is new. Skimmer is not new.
Never heard of foam block to skimmer intake before but if it works, it's worth a try.
I can't slow the return pump (yet). I did not have room to install the valve with this set up.
The return pump already has an elbow.

I order a DC pump. When it arrives, I will be able to slow the flow down. Hopefully that will help.

What about the design do you not like? What do you prefer?

If your sump is new and your skimmer is not, how long was the skimmer inactive before it went in the new sump? I have had microbubble problems before with a skimmer that was out of service for a bit but after leaving it going for a while it ended running great with no bubbles. Taking a skimmer out for an extended period of time basically requires you to "break it in" again.

 

[Dj City]

Skimmer was inactive for about an hour or two so I could swap sumps.

 

[Water Dog]

FYI - the 3 slits don't feed directly to the return chamber. The 3 slits actually feed the refugium chamber, providing slower flow to the refugium section for chaeto growth. The bulk of the flow goes to the equipment chamber for faster turnover for skimmers and reactors. The sponges provided aren't really sponges, it's more like enkamat material for bubble reduction so it's less likely to clog like dense foam material.

With the exception of how your specific skimmer behaves, I think if to put a valve on your return pump output and slow down your flow through the sump, you'll be better able to tune down your micro bubble issue.

 

[Dj City]

Main points I personally don't like which is most everything about it.
Looks like thin acrylic.
Looks like potential clogging into refugium section and from skimmer to return section.
No bubble trap.
Small return section.
Filter socks look to be taking up a lot of room which I don't like filter socks in the first place.
Can you get to tge section under the refugium easily or at all? I like accessibility to all areas.

I appreciate your views.
The acrylic is a bit thin. I don't see the fugue getting clogged. There is a redundancy to the feed to the return.
Skimmer to return, yeah. It's not impossible but nothing gets to skimmer section other than water.
There is no bubble trap though.

 

[Dj City]

FYI - the 3 slits don't feed directly to the return chamber. The 3 slits actually feed the refugium chamber, providing slower flow to the refugium section for chaeto growth. The bulk of the flow goes to the equipment chamber for faster turnover for skimmers and reactors. The sponges provided aren't really sponges, it's more like enkamat material for bubble reduction so it's less likely to clog like dense foam material.

With the exception of how your specific skimmer behaves, I think if to put a valve on your return pump output and slow down your flow through the sump, you'll be better able to tune down your micro bubble issue.

There are a series of slits that are high up that go directly from intake to return to prevent overflowing of intake section. These are separate from the slits that feed the fuge.

Slowing the flow may help. Once I get my DC pump, I will be able to control the flow.