Attack of the microbubbles.

[Capt. Nemo]

Hi everyone,

I have a question regarding microbubbles that have invaded my tank. This is most likely the result of having both my skimmer and return pump together in the same section of my sump. My Deltec Turbo 1250 is doing a great job of producing copious amounts of bubbles, but unfortunately, the return pump is capturing them and sending them into my tank. Any advice to eliminate or at least reduce these microbubbles would be greatly appreciated. Does my skimmer still have to break in? My setup has only been up and running for a few days. Do I need to put a plexi glass divider/baffle between the skimmer and return pump? I dont have any LR or livestock in my tank as of yet so I thought that the lack of skimmate may also play a role in the volume of microbubbles exiting my skimmer. Again, thanks to everyone for their advice .

 

[smcdonn]

I would add a baffle section and get your return pump out of the same area as the skimmer

 

[LazyD]

If there is really no room to move your skimmer to another section u sing something like a pond foam filter and rubberband it or otherwise strap it right under the output from your skimmer so half of the foam filter is out of the water and the other half is in. This will usually help alot, I did it on my Urchin Pro and it worked wonders until I made a new sump

 

[Capt. Nemo]

I failed to mention that I have both the skimmer and return pump in the same section, only because the only other compartment of the sump is not large enough for either skimmer or pump. The drain line enters the very first section of the sump which is followed by a baffle section and finally the water enters the last section of the sump which houses both the skimmer and return pump.

 

[Bri Guy]

If you put an elbow on your return pump with the opening facing down towards the glass, the bubbles rise and water goes down allowing less bubbles to be sucked up. Might help a little. Or have your skimmer output run through a filter sock to cut out some of the bubbles.

 

[six.line]

Another idea I heard of using a large diameter PVC pipe to encircle your return pump. Drill a series of holes around the very bottom so that water gets in down there, and that might help some.

I think the baffle's the best idea.