Bubble Trap Box Idea (Questions)

[NickBee]

Here’s an idea I had for a bubble trap box to shield my mag 7 from nasty bubbles it’s picking up in my sump. Because of our placement of stuff in the sump normal baffles spanning the width of the sump are not going to be an option.

Photo of my sump / fuge (yes the bio balls are on the way out, being replaced slowly with rock rubble):

Top view:

Side View of bubble trap box:

Some questions:

1) Will this work to remove bubbles?

2) Is 1/4" Acrylic a good material to construct this?

3) If I implement this can the pre filter on the mag 7 be removed? (I’m concerned this could become a nitrate trap)

4) Are my baffles in the correct position?

THANKS!

 

[frugalreef]

great job!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NickBee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9236698#post9236698 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by frugalreef
great job!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! But will it work? I guess there is only one way to find out.

And Now that I've looked at the design a little more I'm not sure if that 1st baffle is necessary.

 

[NickBee]

Would this be a better baffle configuration?

 

[Icefire]

the 1st should good
I use o-u-o and it's great

 

[NickBee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9238238#post9238238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Icefire
the 1st should good
I use o-u-o and it's great

what the heck is o-u-o?

 

[h2joe]

over-under-over

 

[30mini]

Over-Under-Over is o-u-o which is how you should configure the baffles... water going over, then under, then over

 

[NickBee]

You learn something new everyday. So this idea should work? What would be a good spacing between the baffles? About 1"?

 

[NickBee]

Does someone have the link to the “how to” thread on gluing acrylic? I can’t seem to find it.

Thanks!

 

[BeanAnimal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9239798#post9239798 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 30mini
Over-Under-Over is o-u-o which is how you should configure the baffles... water going over, then under, then over

Ahh I would disagree...


It depends on where the water is coming from...

BUT

UNDER - OVER - UNDER

forces the water to move down at least twice. This is where the buoyancy of the bubbles keeps them from moving to the next stage

 

[BeanAnimal]

Before we can say if it will work.... we need to have an idea how wide the baffles will be. You will want to space them as far apart as you can. The more area between the baffles, the lower the velocity of the water moving through them and the less likely bubbles will be pulled along for the ride.

You also need to be aware that the smaller you make the return section, the quicker it will drop in level due to evaporation.

It would appear from your drawing that the baffles are only going to be 6" or so wide and an 1" or so apart. In this configuration it is likely that most of the small bubbles will get sucked right through.

Bean

 

[BeanAnimal]

I also noticed that you have a power strip in your stand. You have a very clean looking setup and I commend you on your neatness. I however would be inclinded to move that power strip out of the stand where it will not be subjected to the high salt humidity. I would also put plastic "child protectors" in each unused postion to keep corrosion and salt creep away.

Just something to think about.

 

[NickBee]

Great tips Bean!

At this point I need to take some measurements to come up with a more “scale” drawing. I’ll make the box as wide as possible and also as long as possible so I can have more spacing between the baffles and less level change due to evaporation . I’ll post with dimensions once I hammer it down.

Also should I plan to not use the sponge pre-filer on the mag 7? I’m not sure if this should be eliminated or not with this configuration. If it is not in the way it will allow for more space between the baffles.

Thanks Again!

 

[Mr Bojangles]

let me know if it works, I might try this out on my tank

 

[NickBee]

I'll post a "build along" theard when I get started on construction...

 

[NickBee]

OK I have plenty of room to space the baffles. The whole box will be 5” wide by 14” long. Would 2” between the baffles be enough? I have room to make them space them further apart if need be.

Thanks!

 

[NickBee]

Here’s the beginning of the bubble trap box getting glued up:

My magnetic building board / fixtures that I use for building model airplanes came in handy.

I picked up some 3/16” plexi from Lowes along with a tube of GE silicon for plexi (not sure if it’s any different than regular silicon). Get back to me on the spacing of the baffles. I have plenty of room to play with.

Thanks!

 

[NickBee]

Here’s a shot of the UGLY micro bubbles we are getting in the tank as of now. I hope this will make a good “before” pic once the bubble trap is done.

 

[douggiestyle]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9266961#post9266961 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NickBee

I picked up some 3/16” plexi from Lowes along with a tube of GE silicon for plexi (not sure if it’s any different than regular silicon). Get back to me on the spacing of the baffles.

cool. ive brought up this product here before. im curious to see if it works better than regular silicon.

i personaly think that the trouble with using silicone and acrylic is acrylics hydrophilic property. i think that when submerged that the acryic moves water between it and the silicone reducing its bond. ive used hot glue with acrylic and had no problem. so i used it on a bubble trap for my skimmer. well the hot glue soon came unstuck. i believe due to the same therory.

please keep us posted on how the ge product performs.