how to get rid of micro bubbles

[Morrisons]

hi, I have noticed that my tank has some micro bubbles and I have tried many different methods to get rid of them. my tank is 55gal and my sump is 20gal. I have my protein skimmer on the opposite side of the return pump and literally see no bubbles on the other end where the return pump is in my sump. my pump is a 400gph. I have lots of filter padding I have placed between the glass dividers in my sump but the bubbles some how manage to go through. its not as bad as before but I would like to get rid of the micro bubbles in my tank asap. I've already resealed my pvc pipe on the inflow part and still bubbles. tank has been running 2 months, will it eventually stop with the micro bubbles? does anyone have any suggestions or ways you got rid of yours? not sure if you can see micro bubbles in picture but have a look

 

[Mcgeezer]

Filter socks that you run your drain line thru help tremendously

 

[Jeff210]

Do you have a strainer on the intake to your return pump? I had one screwed into the bulkhead of my sump leading to my return pump (I have an external) and it was restricting the flow into the pump to the point that it was sucking air from somewhere. I took the strainer out and no more micro-bubbles...

 

[Morrisons]

Do you have a strainer on the intake to your return pump? I had one screwed into the bulkhead of my sump leading to my return pump (I have an external) and it was restricting the flow into the pump to the point that it was sucking air from somewhere. I took the strainer out and no more micro-bubbles...

Great thanks for the advice. I will try that

 

[mcgyvr]

Do you have a strainer on the intake to your return pump? I had one screwed into the bulkhead of my sump leading to my return pump (I have an external) and it was restricting the flow into the pump to the point that it was sucking air from somewhere. I took the strainer out and no more micro-bubbles...

Its called cavitation.. same as the air bubble a pistol shrimp snap makes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavitation

 

[Morrisons]

Filter socks that you run your drain line thru help tremendously

Hi do mean putting a filter sock under the overflow pipe in sump?

 

[Jeff210]

Its called cavitation.. same as the air bubble a pistol shrimp snap makes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavitation

Very cool!!! I wasn't aware it was an actual 'phenomena'. Thanks for my 'you learn something new everyday' for today...

 

[Jeff210]

Hi do mean putting a filter sock under the overflow pipe in sump?

Yes...you put the filter sock around your overflow pipe that drains the water from your tank into your sump...

 

[CuzzA]

If you're going to run filter bags (I do), buy 7 and change them out daily. Some people go longer, but after a day the organics will begin to break down adding nutrients to your system. Nutrients = Nuisance Algae and will retard coral growth and create health issues. On your size tank you could run 4" bags. 25 micron are best.

Get a container, 5 gallon bucket will do, and collect your used bags there and clean them inside out in your washing machine once a week. No soap. Only bleach. Run an extra rinse cycle. If they still smell like bleach rinse them again and let air dry. I've found that bags start pilling and breaking down after 6-8 months and at that point should be replaced as the micron size has no doubt increased.

As already stated regarding micro bubbles, cavitation is the likely suspect. Removing all pre filters and strainers is best, unless you have a refugium before the return section... Macro algae and impellers dont mix. Another possibility is an air leak in your return plumbing that's sucking air. Skimmers are another suspect. You can modify the outlet to reduce micro bubbles, splashing and make it quieter. This is done by basically turning your skimmer outlet into a durso drain. Do a search and you'll see what others have done. Another possibility is you simply have too much flow going through your sump. Observe the water movement and if the water is crashing into the return section or it's moving so fast the micro bubbles aren't able to rise and pop you need to slow down the return. You can do this by adding a ball valve on the return pipe.

Finally get that sponge material out of your baffles, it's not a solution. It will only lead to nutrient problems. The issue is else where and that's what needs to be fixed.

 

[Dustyboots]

This may sound silly, but make sure your sump level is high enough. I had the same problem at first and raised the water level to about 9" (my tank and sump are similar sized as yours.) plus I run socks, cleaned as above.

 

[CuzzA]

After some thought from our previous conversations and looking at your sump I have some suggestions.

You said you purchased an RODI unit the other day. Did you set up the ATO? If not, evaporation will occur in the return section. Water cascading will create micro bubbles in the display. Your ATO float valve will be placed in the return section to maintain a constant water level.

Also, I would get that sand and rock rubble out of the sump. It's just going to collect detritus and create issues. Your sump should be as clean as possible as there is very little life down there to consume the waste.

It looks like you have a hang on back skimmer. What kind of skimmer is that? You should really consider looking at upgrading your skimmer to an internal in sump skimmer. You could use the first chamber of the sump to hold the filter bags, the second for a quality internal skimmer (adjust the skimmer depth by placing on a stand) and of course keep the third as your return.

 

[reepher315]

I had the strainer issue. I was about to rip my plumbing apart before someone made mention of it. No more micro bubbles for me!

 

[Morrisons]

(Dad here)

This thread brings a lot of questions to mind.

1. I'm confused about the filter sock approach. My understanding is that the Skimmer's sole purpose is to generate bubbles so as to collect waste. So what would be the purpose of trying to remove bubbles before the skimmer?

2. As to our skimmer, we've been trying not to spend a lot of money since I've been out of work for while. The one we bought was basically the cheapest 300GPH one on ebay. A no-name brand with a model number of 23PUM003-1802 (see http://www.thelashop.com/300gph-aquarium-protein-skimmer-filter-pump-fish-tank-powerhead.html). However it still isn't collecting very much, our LFS said not to worry as our tank is new and it likely won't start collecting until we get more fish/bio matter collecting. Still, we're suspicious that we're going to have to replace it anyway...

3. We currently have algae in our refugium (we have the lighting on an opposite schedule from the tank to help with PH) and have been planning to get some shrimp to live in it as extra food for our tank. That's why the sand and the rock. Currently our flow through the refuge is too high, but I've got some ideas as how to create a bypass so as to slow it down. We're actually thinking of getting some shrimp today to put into it.

4. As per this thread we've removed the filter from the inside of our return pump. It seems to make things a little better but I'm worried that a piece of algae will make it out of our refugium and get stuck in the pump and break it.

Sorry if I've diverted this thread too much. Let us know if we should branch to new threads.

Thanks!

-Mike & Jade

 

[Jeff210]

(Dad here)

This thread brings a lot of questions to mind.

1. I'm confused about the filter sock approach. My understanding is that the Skimmer's sole purpose is to generate bubbles so as to collect waste. So what would be the purpose of trying to remove bubbles before the skimmer?

The skimmer creates bubbles internally. The proteins in the water (mainly poop and uneaten food) stick to those bubbles creating a foam head. The foam head then bubbles over the top of the skimmer into the cup producing the skimate (the bad stuff). You don't want bubbles coming in externally. The filter sock helps reduce or eliminate those external bubbles.

2. As to our skimmer, we've been trying not to spend a lot of money since I've been out of work for while. The one we bought was basically the cheapest 300GPH one on ebay. A no-name brand with a model number of 23PUM003-1802 (see http://www.thelashop.com/300gph-aquarium-protein-skimmer-filter-pump-fish-tank-powerhead.html). However it still isn't collecting very much, our LFS said not to worry as our tank is new and it likely won't start collecting until we get more fish/bio matter collecting. Still, we're suspicious that we're going to have to replace it anyway...

As you mentioned, when your bio load increases you may want to invest in a better skimmer. It is probably the most important piece of equipment in your system for maintaining a healthy tank. Test for nitrates. If your nitrates are above 5 - 10 ppm, you may want to look into a better skimmer.

3. We currently have algae in our refugium (we have the lighting on an opposite schedule from the tank to help with PH) and have been planning to get some shrimp to live in it as extra food for our tank. That's why the sand and the rock. Currently our flow through the refuge is too high, but I've got some ideas as how to create a bypass so as to slow it down. We're actually thinking of getting some shrimp today to put into it.

Your thinking is right on line - you don't want real high flow through your fuge so that beneficial bacteria and copepods can grow and provide natural filtration and food. Do you mean you have macro-algae (like chaeto) in your fuge? If so, this is also right in line. It eats nitrates and provides a habitat for copepods...

4. As per this thread we've removed the filter from the inside of our return pump. It seems to make things a little better but I'm worried that a piece of algae will make it out of our refugium and get stuck in the pump and break it.

If it didn't solve the problem completely, it may not have been the culprit. As mentioned above, raise your water level in the return section of your sump and see if that helps...

Sorry if I've diverted this thread too much. Let us know if we should branch to new threads.

Don't be sorry - that's what these threads are for...ask any and all questions that you have...

Thanks!

-Mike & Jade

 

[Morrisons]

Removing the filter from the pump seemed to work a little but not as well as we had hoped. We'll look into getting a sock.

The water level of the return is good, we keep a close eye on that.

Yes for the Refuge, we have Chaeto in it and it seems to be doing well.

Thanks again.

-Mike

 

[CuzzA]

The skimmer has an air intake. A filter bag won't effect the skimmers performance at all.

Eventually, you'll be replacing that skimmer, but it should get you by for now. Look for a quality used skimmer. There's plenty of people selling equipment on here, eBay and Craigslist.

Personally, I'm not a fan of refugiums. Others are. Most refugiums are simply too small to have any significant impact on nutrient assimilation. There are many more efficient and effective ways to export nutrients. Everything creates waste. Shrimp, snails, crabs, worms, bacteria. The last thing you want is a detritus trap in your sump leeching nutrients into your system. The bottom line is you can either export it or assimilate it. I choose direct exporting. I know many people have a refugium and if growing macro algae is your thing, by all means go for it.

Do some research on nutrient exporting and you'll find plenty of information from bio pellets, carbon dosing, remote deep sand beds, etc.