Bubbles

[hunter57]

Hi,
I have a 120 gal. mixed reef tank with a 10 gal. sump. I have an external Iwaki pump and an in sump protein skimmer (sea urchin pro) under my display tank. I only use LR for filtration. The two problems I'd like to solve at this point are:
1. Tiny micro bubbles completly filling my display tank. It makes the water appear cloudy, not crystal clear like I would like.
2. Tiny particles that seem to be floating in the water column. Do I need some kind of mechanical filtration?

I think if I could solve these two problems I could enjoy viewing my tank alot more.

Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

 

[b0wenj]

Just my opinion but I would suggest a bigger tank for your sump. I would probably go at least 30 gallon or bigger. I would also turn my sump into a sump / refugium and get some cheato or something growing in there. Maybe even put in a deep sand bed in the refugium / sump with a few small pieces of LR.

I think with a bigger tank the microbubbles would have more time to dissipate before being circulated back to the main display tank. Just to give you an idea of how small I think your sump is I have a 29 gallon tank with a 10 gallon sump / refugium under it. I have a friend that has a 75 gallon tank with a 55 gallon sump / refugium. In my setup the filtration happens in my live rock, deep sand bed, and sump / refugium. Because my filtration seems to do so well I have not seen the need to even run a skimmer for over a year now on my tank and I think my water looks clear.

 

[hunter57]

I do have a 150 gal. rubbermaid tub (going to use it as a sump)and a 90 gal. tank (for a refugium) I just haven't got to it yet. I wasn't sure if a "sock" would help me for now.

 

[skwirl]

double post.. sorry

 

[skwirl]

a sock would probably help some, but the problem is the water in your sump is moving from one side to the other so fast that the current is keeping the bubbles from surfacing. they are following the current to the return pump.. i had the same problem until yesterday. i switched to a smaller pump on my return (you can restrict the flow with a ball valve) and voila, not a single bubble.

 

[hunter57]

The problem is caused by the discharge of my skimmer. I just shut it off and the bubbles disapeared. What are your thought on the small debree that can be found floating in the water?

 

[lifesworksataol]

mine does the same thing when i dont use my sock

 

[hunter57]

Where can I get a "sock"? What does it look like and where do you put it? Besides on my foot. lol

 

[Rock Anemone]

You can purchase them at just about any fish store, or online. I have mine on the pipe which drains water from the tank to the sump. If your skimmer is pushing out bubbles from the return, perhaps try fitting a sponge on it or sectioning off an area in your sump away from the return pump where you can place the skimmer.

 

[hunter57]

Ok sounds good I'll give it a try!