I give up on these %%$#@#$% microbubbles!!!!

[stlouisguy]

I cant figure it out. I have siliconed every connection, I have siliconed the shutoff valves, There isnt anything left yet I still get microbubbles bad

Anyyone have any ideas? I dont want to tear down and rebuild but thats what its looking like if I cant figure it out!!



:mad2: :mad2:

 

[Letmegrow]

Filter socks.
Start with that.

I have NEVER had micro bubbles come from plumbing connections pulling air.

Is your return pump cavatating ?

 

[Boosted Rxp]

i would say the water dumping into sump is where its at,same as me

 

[Arsenal11]

We may have to change the club name to clark central.com pretty soon.:lol:

 

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8541373#post8541373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Letmegrow
Filter socks.
Start with that.

I have NEVER had micro bubbles come from plumbing connections pulling air.

Is your return pump cavatating ?

I tried filter sock, it increased pressure draw and bubbles got worse, so that shows problem is before the pump as it was straining to pull water and sucked in more air.

Going to turn off pump and try a thin layer of glue on top of the silicone.

this is my first problem with micros and its driving me crazy!!!

 

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8541409#post8541409 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Arsenal11
We may have to change the club name to clark central.com pretty soon.:lol:

Errr sorry I guess I could go post on that other clubs site for a bit..... :eek1:

 

[Boosted Rxp]

why do that,this is a help site correc?

 

[Boosted Rxp]

why do that,this is a help site correct?

 

[Arsenal11]

Boosted Rxp, just givin clark a little sh-- , he seems to start a new thread every time he has a upgrade to the tank rather tan keep it all in one thread

 

[stlouisguy]

LOL settle down Steve (he will kill you if I tell him to LOL)

I was excited about the mahogony showing up and couldnt find my build thread real quick. I will keep it on the one thread, although getting thread count up isnt a bad thing

 

[Boosted Rxp]

whoa i was also kidding,so stop picking on the new guy,lol

 

[Arsenal11]

Its all good clark, just trying to keep it all live here, tank is looking awsome, can't wait to see it with all the corals & fish in it.

 

[stlouisguy]

Steve is just lurking to come steal my rock!!!

 

[Boosted Rxp]

i would like that tank better if it was in my living room

 

[Boosted Rxp]

im dying for it cassies tank will be ready tomorrow,

 

[zt444a]

Could you try something in the sump as sort of a bubble trap? I was witness to some of your going over the joints. You look to have siliconed everything and then some.

With that much plumbing, I would think that the prices of silicone will be rising soon... supply and demand...

Seriously though, you have to look at the less obvious too. Try shoving some polyfiber in your sump where the water is dumping in... You just never know...

 

[MayoBoy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8541433#post8541433 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stlouisguy
I tried filter sock, it increased pressure draw and bubbles got worse, so that shows problem is before the pump as it was straining to pull water and sucked in more air.

Going to turn off pump and try a thin layer of glue on top of the silicone.

this is my first problem with micros and its driving me crazy!!!

Have you tried throttling down the return line? What's the GPM/GPH of the pump and what size lines(s) do you have feeding it and length of run(s)?

 

[stlouisguy]

What I have tried so far:

1. Silicone each connection from tank to output
2. Layer of glue on top of silicone at each connection
3. Filter sock over intake in sump
4. Electrical tape over the connections
5. Turn down flow via shut off valve on output.

The only thing that cut down the bubbles was the reduction of flow, but that isnt what I want. But if that helps reduce the bubbles, what does that tell me? That the bubbles are entering before or after the pump? I am restricting flow after the pump. Also would that hurt the pump to do that long term?

Everything was going soooooo smooth LOL

 

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8543610#post8543610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MayoBoy
Have you tried throttling down the return line? What's the GPM/GPH of the pump and what size lines(s) do you have feeding it and length of run(s)?

Hammerhead 5000 gph m/l

Line size is 1 1/2"

Line is from sump 8" 90 degree turn left,12" 90 degree turn right, 3 feet, pump, going up 5 feet 90 degree turn, split into 1" pipes 90 degree turns, into tank

 

[MayoBoy]

Your suction line is undersized and it's starving the pump. You're at 83 GPM so go with 2" - 2-1/2 would work even better.

When not enough water is able to enter the pump, the impeller creates a mini vacuum which causes the water to "boil" which makes all the little bubbles.

If you throttle the pump down, they should go away (it might take a little bit to get them all out of the line) or you can upsize your suction line.

The pump probably has 1-1/2" suction and discharge ports but the suction needs to be upsized right out of the pump.