Help, micro bubble hell

[PogoMonogo]

I have a 90g reef that has been set up since October. Its an AGA 90g aquarium with the split return loc-line. Ever since it has been set up, I have had a micro bubble problem from hell. I know its not my skimmer, and I have a single solid line from my pump to the tank, so there are no valves or splits that could be leaking air. The return pump is a Rio 20 HF. Am I get air bubbles from passing too much flow throw the overflow kits? Thats really the only thing I can think of. Any help would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[demonsp]

You would see the bubbles coming through the return jets.My guess is algea collecting and or releasing nitrogen bubbles.Could be from lack of flow and or water quality.

 

[PogoMonogo]

The aquarium has a Rio 20 HF and two koralia 4's. The water quality is not an issue, as I have a dozen or so stony colonies thriving.

 

[demonsp]

Im only guessing with no info or pic. Not sure what you mean by rio 20 HF?

 

[kielty]

How are your baffles set up in your sump? Before the return pump

 

[arts007]

^^ could be too much flow through the sump, you can try a filter sock for that, if you can lower the flow and see if the bubbles go away. Or there may be a connection thats not completely sealed on the return pipe. You can seal it off with some silicone.

 

[Amoore311]

Get a picture up of your split locline return for me. If you have to much of a bend in the loc-line you will get air in there, resulting in micro bubbles.

I had this problem in my tank.

 

[turtleman9100]

i found one piece of hose (no water leaks) coming from my sump to my ext pump was causing micro bubbles. After hours of replacing and resealing plumbing, I replaced that 1 hose and they went away.

 

[danceswithfish]

Is there micro bubbles in your sump? That would indicate that the bubbles werer comming from the overflow. If this is the case I would add a filter sock or make a bubble tower.

 

[PogoMonogo]

Ok, here it is:

 

[demonsp]

If this is a new setup then it needs time to break in.My guess is the new equipment is causeing the skimmer to overproduce micro bubbles.

 

[PogoMonogo]

Even with skimmer off, i am getting micro bubbles.

 

[demonsp]

So is it from the return or intake pipe?

 

[PogoMonogo]

my guess is the return.

 

[demonsp]

Gettin it lower in the water or covering with foam media.It should calm down after time and clean any media regularly to remove nitrate.

 

[PogoMonogo]

Its at its lowest and it is spilling over into a sponge. The nitrates are less than ppm in my system. I know its not the skimmer.

 

[jdieck]

The Rio 20HF uses a closed impeller that require higher net positive pressure at the suction, In other words it requires a higher water level at the inlet to prevent cavitation which in turn creates microbubbles and pump vibration which will also shorten the pumps life.
Usually a minimum of 8" water height at the inlet will be suficcient.
If you can't increase the water level to the point were the cavitation stops then you can try restricting the output of the pump by installing a valve in the return line and close the valve slowly until the cavitation stops. This will solve the cavitation but also will reduce the water flow.

Finally you may replace the return pump.

 

[danceswithfish]

It sounds like it could be your pump. If you check that and it dosn't fix the problem, I would redo your return plumbing. There could be a leak that is sucking in air.