That old nemesis, micro bubbles.

[rebecky45]

Okay...so micro bubbles: I got 'em.
This is my setup: 75 gallon mixed reef with CPR hob skimmer refugium combo. Just to clarify, the micro bubbles aren't terrible, but they are at a higher than wanted level. I have a bag with phosguard in the refugium as well. Any thoughts/suggestions as to what I can do to help get rid of them? Thanks in advance!!!!

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[Rikerbear]

Anyway to run the return from your skimmer through something before the bubbles can even get into the return water?

 

[rebecky45]

I suppose....the water goes through the refugium after the skimmer before it goes back to the tank. What would i run it through?

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[Rikerbear]

Hmmmm....it would need to run through something to catch the micro bubbles. I would think the fuge would do it but appraently not if you are still getting bubbles in the DT.
Anyway to pass the water through a sponge when it leaves the fuge?

 

[rebecky45]

I could just put one before the chamber that has the pipe that drains to the DT. Not sure if that would harbor anything bad nutrient wise?

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[Rikerbear]

I could just put one before the chamber that has the pipe that drains to the DT. Not sure if that would harbor anything bad nutrient wise?

It would if you never cleaned it. I would suggest cleaning it everytine you do your water changes and you should be fine.
It took me weeks to get all the micro bubbles out of my tank from my skimmer....I still have some but am able to live with them now at least

 

[rebecky45]

So what kind of sponge are we talking about??

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[Rikerbear]

Just your basic rigid blk aquarium sponge

 

[rebecky45]

So I just find a place where it will sit near the output of the refugium? I don't want it to block the pipe leading back into the tank.

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[alexingalls09]

i would hang it off my refugium or a sump if possible so the microbubles would be filtered out before returning to your tank.

 

[Rikerbear]

You do want it to block the return pipe....that's how it stops the bubbles. Water goes through, bubbles don't

 

[Dtech07]

Do you have picture as this will help greatly.

 

[rebecky45]

Okay...I was just worried about it overflowing. Here are some pics. First one is from the side...skimmer is farther away, return to DT is closer. Second is just a closer pic of the return area.

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[mcarroll]

Can you tell if the microbubbles are from the skimmer or if they are being generated by that little weir/waterfall right before the refugium drain?

Any way that you can try running it empty (no sand, plants, media, etc) and see if the increased water volume will help? More volume = more "dwell time" for any skimmer bubbles to float to the top of the water. Less volume = more velocity....and less time for bubbles to make their way to the surface. Crucial point for micro bubbles as they don't create much lift.

If the bubbles are from the weir, not the skimmer, then it's possible a sponge may help.....otherwise I doubt it. (Still inexpensive to try it.) I would clean the sponge at least as often as you empty the skimmer and clean it's cup.

Also, if this skimmer is still less than a few months old, or it's been a few months or less since the last cleaning, then this may all be just a normal part of the run-in period. (Usually more like a few days or weeks...months is possible tho.)

-Matt


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[rebecky45]

I have a feeling their coming from the weir or even as the water enters the tank. The skimmer is not new. I'll try the sponge! Where would I get one? Thanks so much for the help!

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[mcarroll]

Even an algae scraping pad would work, so your LFS should work.

-Matt


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[rebecky45]

Do I put it in the pipe? Or just in front? Sorry if these are dumb questions...I just want to make sure I do it correctly. Thanks!!

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[Dtech07]

a very porous sponge as porous you can find and would first place at the beginning of the baffle before the return just a little above it or at the bottom where the water falls at the return to defuse the the water as it falls IMHO.

 

[rebecky45]

Ahhhh I get it. I'll pick something IP today and let you know how it works. Thanks so much for your help everyone!!

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[rebecky45]

Okay...so I picked up some floss. I tried placing it in front, but bit didn't want to stay, and didn't help all that much anyway, so I tried rolling the floss up loosely and putting it in the pipe, that clogged it too much and it started to overflow. After that, I tried pitting the floss on the output in the DT, and this seems to work the best. The photo is of the pipe coming from the refugium back into the DT. Not the classiest looking thing, but I have a theory.

I think my pump is a hair too small, so when the water goes to leave the refugium, air gets into the pipe, causing the bubbles. I'm planning on upgrading pumps soon anyway, so I'm hoping that takes care of it. Thoughts?

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