micro-bubbles from skimmer

[Rhas]

Hello

Ive finally got my sump up and running.I have a knock-off of a Coralife skimmer... but it does not have a bubble diffuser. It has just an exit tube that dumps lots of bubbles that get sucked up to the display tank. My question is.. what could I do to trap the bubbles and give them time to break up. Ive tried a sock..NG.

The exit tube is 3/4 pvc pipe... Air pump injects air into water stream...

Thanks a bunch

 

[CookieJar]

I have a coralife with the hangon box that the exit tube fits in. I had to cut a couple of pieces of foam that is used for the filters.

I suggest getting a large chunck of foam and cutting a hold out of the middle so the end of tube is flush is butted up against the foam. It's hard to describe, but if you can make the water have to go through foam before getting out into the tank, the foam worked for me to eliminate the bubbles.

Probably the best answer is to buy the hang on box and then putting the exit tube in it with foam would be using it the way it was designed to be.

 

[dchao]

Is it in a sump? Do you have a baffle there to stop micro-bubbles going to the pump?

 

[localfreak]

I have the same prob but WITH the bubble diffuser box. I thought about attaching a piece of foam to the pvc that is attached to the return pump before it leaves the sump. Any thoughts on this concept?

 

[localfreak]

bump

 

[TekCat]

Rhas, is your skimmer in sump? If so, then baffles between skimmer section and return section should take care of microbubbles. Using foam pads work too, but you have to clean them and replace quite often otherwise they'll become nitrate factories.

 

[stelow]

Yes a baffle will work and if this is a new sump set up maybe with time as the bacteria develops micro-bubbles will decrease.

 

[Rhas]

Yes it is in the sump and there are baffles, but I still get a lot of bubbles...Maybe it will take a little time. I am going to try the foam idea right now... Thanks guys

 

[dchao]

Rhas:

Do you have the over-and-under (water flow) type of baffle?

 

[Rhas]

Thanks for the advice guys
Its is in the sump Ill try that out

 

[Rhas]

Yes over and under on one end... over under and over on the other end

 

[dchao]

Rhas:

So there are three chambers, and I assume that the skimmer is in the first chamer? (refugium in the middle?)

Are you saying that you still get bubbles after going through two baffles?

Are you sure there is no leaks in the pump plumbing?

 

[SeanySean]

I don't have too much problem with bubbles. but my exit goes onto some sponge out of the water which stops the bubbles and the noise of the flow

 

[Dr.Karl]

I use two upside down "U" tubes over a wall in my sump. The small bubbles accumulate at the top of the tubes and when they form into large bubbles the flow carries them out of the tube and they float right to the top and pop. I have NO microbubbles. Also the tubes draw water from the bottom where there are very few bubbles to begin with

 

[Dr.Karl]

Probably should mention you have to fill the tubes with water right side up then put your fingers over the ends and then lower them in the sump to get the siphon going. Been running like this for 1 year with no siphon loss.

 

[dchao]

Dr.Karl:

A "Under-Over" type of baffle will do the same trick as your U-Tube without the worry of a syphon break.

 

[Ugly-one]

try increasing the water level in the sump see if it helps.

 

[Rhas]

I should have put the refugium in the midddle... but its ont the end .The foam idea is working pretty good. I may have to move the refugium. Thanks


Skimmer return pump refugium


Skimmer refugium return pump