Can somebody please help with microbubbles?

[pRadaaaaa]

Hi, I'm not sure whats causing it, I removed the return pump, cleaned it gave it a vinegar bath. I dont see any bubbles coming into the return section. My return pump has a foam piece covering it. Its making my tank look ugly I have 2 loc-line outlets coming from my return pipe in my overflow. Im not sure if its in my return pump or something in my return pipe. Im so confused, please help. I have an asm g2 skimmer. Its not causing much bubbles. Like I said before tho, I dont see any bubbles in the return section. Thanks.

 

[fatdaddy]

It can take up to 2 weeks for your pipes to slime up and stop blowing microbubbles, so the more you clean the more microbubbles you're going to have.

However, sometimes there are small air leaks that allow bubbles to be introduced to a line. I'd ignore it for a few weeks and then start to track it down through the process of elimination.

 

[Theguyfromnj]

Also you might want to make sure all the fittings on the return are tight. Sometimes you can have air leaking in but not water leaking out. There is also a anti-siphon hole on the return, just before the line loc, make sure that isn't sucking in air. Try to get as much of your line loc under water as possible.

I had that same exact issue, I found that micro bubbles were in my return section even though I couldn't see them. Wait till night and shine a flashlight into the return section from a few different angles and see if you can see any bubbles.

Keep us posted.

 

[abulgin]

^^^+1

If you are seeing constant microbubbles, you necessarily have a leak somewhere in your plumbing. Make sure you check all connections. Specifically, make sure you used teflon plumbing tape for all threaded connections. One trick is to slather a layer of silicone around all plumbing seams.

 

[HaleMoana]

I am not a big fan of having the filter media ("foam piece") on the return pump. Sure, it will help cut down in microbubbles, but it will also inhibit pod transfer from fuge to display tank. just my opinion.

 

[crvz]

I'm not a huge fan of silicone on plumbing, it's kind of a bandaid. But I would keep hunting for their source. Start by turning off the skimmer for a day or so, see if that helps. If not, then try to dial back the return pump (could be the flow rate contributing to the problem). Keep knocking out one variable at a time until you figure it out.

 

[cjilge]

It takes alittle while to stop but I agree turn one pump, or thing off at a time and you will find the source. I had the same problem and found a small leak in the return line to the tank easy fix