Any new inventions for reducing microbubbles?

J

johnnstacy

Premium Member
Microbubbles have never really been an issue in the past because I used a filter sock, it pretty much eliminated all of them. Recently though, amidst concerns about filtering out microfauna, etc, I am doing away with the filter sock and I'm lookin for solutions to stop the bubbles.
The drain line from my tank are not the issue. I have no air in those lines at all as everything is submerged. The problem is the skimmer output. I have an 1 1/2" pipe traveling about 4 feet and dumping into the opposite end of the sump but there are still lots of bubbles. I can even submerge the pipe and still a lot of bubbles coming out. I don't know. I was thinking of the old filter floss trick but that is usually only a temp fix as the floss starts to get crap in it over time. Just wondering if there are any other tricks out there. Baffles are not really an option at this point.
 
The problem is the skimmer output
Click to expand...

what type of skimmer? Just put the filter sock on the end of it. And remember...its a skimmer...meaning its taking out the loose junk in the water. So basically i'm saying that stuff building up on the sock shouldnt be a problem, because if the skimmer is working properly it will be taking out all the stuff. Now changing the sock/cleaning it once a month or so may not be a bad idea tho.

Also, you can put live rock (or just dry base rock) in the sump. Just build it up in there and that will help catch some bubbles...but imo, the floss filter sock over the skimmer output would be much better.

hth
mike
 
I was using a filter sock over just the skimmer output for awhile and it does get dirty. Not nearly as fast as a sock on the tank discharge but still it gets dirty. My feed to the skimmer is 610 gallons per hour directly feed from the tank. There is no skimmer I know of that puts that much water through and it comes out crystal clear. Deltec makes a decent skimmer. Anyway, the point really was that I think microfauna also go through the skimmer. Some perish and some doesn't. I would like to save the fauna that doesn't perish by not trapping them in a filter sock.

Ya know the rock thing isn't a bad idea. I did that a couple of years ago and it worked decent. I'll look into it. Thanks.
 
I did the ol' rock in the sump trick also. Combined with a couple of baffles, it works well.

Check out Marc's "Bubble Tower."

http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html

When you go to this page, scan down to the section titled "Video." It is the thrid video. He has a neat solution for micro bubbles, it is essentially a different take on a baffle.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8188614#post8188614 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by usafa93
I did the ol' rock in the sump trick also. Combined with a couple of baffles, it works well.

Check out Marc's "Bubble Tower."

http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html

When you go to this page, scan down to the section titled "Video." It is the thrid video. He has a neat solution for micro bubbles, it is essentially a different take on a baffle.
Click to expand...

No bubbles, but still that boiling water sound...That's my latest quest
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8189451#post8189451 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PatrickJ
panty hose. no kidding.
Click to expand...

I have tried panty hose but it will eventually get clogged as well.
 
No sound for me. I have my Skimmer outflow underwater, and it produces no sound that is perceptible through the tank stand.

My refugium is about 6 feet about the sump and runs into my sump. This is not sumberged, since it WILL give the "boiling water sound." (Too much air.)

The only sound I have is from my overfow. I have a Durso in it, with about 2" drop. It gives a nice "babbling creek" sound when you are in the same room.
 
I'm having the same exact problem.

I think the OP wants a solution that does not involve blocking the skimmer outtake with something that is going to create a blockage and trap detritus that will degrade into nutrients in his otherwise nutrient-free tank. ;)

The closest Ive gotten is by placing a (wide as possible) plate with a small cup on top under the skimmer output so the water builds up in the cup, falls into the plate, and rolls off the ends. Unfortunately I dont have room to keep all this dinnerware in my sump, but it did mostly eliminate the bubbles.
 
I have about 6" of width to work with. The LFS told me something similar. He said to use a container and put it below the discharge. Like the size of a potato salad container or large mayonaise jar. I tried it. Failed miserably. 610g is a lot of water and a lot of bubbles to contend with. I even tried the panty hose thing again because it did work on my ASM G3 but not on this skimmer. Bubbles push right through the hose. Going to try the rock thing tomorrow. If that doesn't work, I'm going to have to throw the filter sock back on it
 
You have all of your overflow submerged? Are you using the Herbie's Method?

Bubbles are from turbulence. Once your pipe is on a straitht run (no more turns) enlarge the pipe from 1/2" to 1" or more. Run it as close to the waterline as possible. Then at the terminus put a "T" with the vertical openings as large as possible (mine is a 1.25" input and 3" outputs). A small piece of pipe going up might be needed. The idea is to slow down the water due to the larger pipe and when it hits the T the water will go down and the bubbles up.
 
i also suffer from microbubbles, but i'm a bit confused about it.

my sump is skimmer->fuge->return with 2-baffle bubble traps in between each.

obviously my skimmer section is full of bubbles. they come from the skimmer output and my tank drain hose.

in my return section i dont see any microbubbles floating around, yet in my tank they are everywhere. (they may be in the return section, but i cant see them like i do in my tank)

aren't the bubble traps in my sump meant to eliminate microbubbles, or should i look into reducing the amount of bubbles in my skimmer section?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8190977#post8190977 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MJAnderson
You have all of your overflow submerged? Are you using the Herbie's Method?

Bubbles are from turbulence. Once your pipe is on a straitht run (no more turns) enlarge the pipe from 1/2" to 1" or more. Run it as close to the waterline as possible. Then at the terminus put a "T" with the vertical openings as large as possible (mine is a 1.25" input and 3" outputs). A small piece of pipe going up might be needed. The idea is to slow down the water due to the larger pipe and when it hits the T the water will go down and the bubbles up.
Click to expand...

I am using Herbies Method or a variation thereof. I have 3 drain pipes submerged and one emergency pipe. No bubbles in there though. It's the skimmer that is the problem.

I'll pick up a tee and see if I can make that work.
 
is there a reference which describes this "Herbie's Method" ya'll are talking about?

thanks.
 
ah. 1. i dont have a reef ready tank and 2. my concern is microbubbles, not noise.

i'll have to read the whole thread sometime, thanks again.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8192050#post8192050 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by afex
ah. 1. i dont have a reef ready tank and 2. my concern is microbubbles, not noise.

i'll have to read the whole thread sometime, thanks again.
Click to expand...

Herbies method not only eliminates noise but there also no bubbles whatsoever.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
My dream of a fleece roller
Replies
2
Views
471
SantaMonica
S
R
Surface bubbles
Replies
0
Views
409
Reefmaster82
R
E
Red Sea weir overflow
Replies
9
Views
278
griss
griss
D
Filter and heater for 125G
Replies
4
Views
233
wvned
wvned
NancyT3
microbubbles... why? How to get reduce? Impact on tank.
Replies
5
Views
1K
shred5
shred5
Back
Top