Micro Bubbles on a closed loop

[Bullet]

I just installed a closed loop using a sequence reef dart. I used an assortment of PVC fittings, spa flex, and lock line for inside the tank. My tank is not drilled so I had to go over the back for the intake. My problem is that I am getting microbubbles from somewhere. All my connections were primed and glued and the treaded pipes were sealed with Teflon tape or sealant. There are no water leaks anywhere. Where could these be coming from? Also when I turn off the pump and restart it I get a huge burst of air. There should not be any air in there..should there? The intake is under water and all the out puts are under water! This does not make sense.

Tank pick 61 and 62 in my gallery are pictures of my closed loop before installation.

Please help me out with ideas.

Thanks!

 

[dl1030]

Do the micro bubbles come out of all the outputs or just one(or one side)?

 

[Bullet]

Do the micro bubbles come out of all the outputs or just one(or one side)?

All of the outputs.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

are you sure when you restart it there aren't any holes on intake just at or above water line?

 

[Bullet]

are you sure when you restart it there aren't any holes on intake just at or above water line?

The nearest hole on the intake is about 1 inch under water. I watched it when I start it to make sure there were not any cyclones sucking in air and there are not.

 

[kgross]

With the extra air after the pump is turned on, it sounds to me like you have a leak near the top of the tank on the intake side of the pump (small bubbles says the air is going through the pump most likely). So check all of the connections from the intake of the pump into the tank and make sure they are all glued well and are not leaking.

Kim

 

[Bullet]

Wouldn't there be signs of water leaking too? My thought is that if air can be sucked in some water would leak out if the pump were turned off. Am I thinking wrong here?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

how long has this C.L. been running?

 

[Bullet]

For a week. But I shut it off this morning to see if it was coming from the intake and resealed it. So that basically restarted everything. I have had it running for about 5 days straight and the bubbles did not go away.

 

[kgross]

If the leak is above the water line on the intake side you might not ever get any water leaks out of it.

Kim

 

[dl1030]

What is the 'T' doing on the intake? i assume you just capped off the top section of the 'T', but what does that gain you? I just made mine into a 'U' shape, so 2 90degree turns to make it over the back. Could that trap air?

or what is the name of it when a pump sucks more water than the pipe will allow. it will create a void in the pipe slowing flow, but i dont know if micro bubbles would come from that or not. .

 

[Bullet]

What if I went around all of the connections with PVC glue? Would that seal up any small leaks if there are any?

 

[Bullet]

What is the 'T' doing on the intake? i assume you just capped off the top section of the 'T', but what does that gain you? I just made mine into a 'U' shape, so 2 90degree turns to make it over the back. Could that trap air?

or what is the name of it when a pump sucks more water than the pipe will allow. it will create a void in the pipe slowing flow, but i dont know if micro bubbles would come from that or not. .

I need that to prime the pump. I then just capped it off. That is where I thought it was leaking from so this morning I resealed it. I thought too that some air could be trapped in there, so I took a piece of airline tubing and forced water up through there to force out any trapped air. That did not make a difference.

 

[cres]

Actually, air can get in holes that water can't get out of (at least at these pressures).

Since the problem is persistant, it is likely tiny leaks. And, since it seems to have built up while sitting, I agree with kgross that the hole is likely on one of the upper joints. Air sucks in, when the system is running it is pulled through the pump, and the air simply gathers while it is off).

Someone I know with a 500 gallon setup and a Hammerhead on the closed loop had to add some fittings and put 30 PSI of air into his loop to find the leaks. But, he did find them and was able to seal his system.

 

[kgross]

I would be looking at your cap on the T is the biggest chance for your leaks, or all of the joints on the T itself.

Kim

 

[aurorafish]

if its not a really large amount of air, give it 3-4 weeks, salt creep might fill in the small leak. If not replumb the intake side.

 

[Blown 346]

what is the name of it when a pump sucks more water than the pipe will allow.

The pump could be cavitating, or the SCWD could be causing the bubbles since it does have gearing in it. This coud be churning up the water andmaking air pockets form inside it. This all depends on how much flow you have going thru it. How much flow is going thru the SCWD?
My closed loop doe sthis on occassion wher eit will spit out a burst of bubles for a second, but noting constant. I as well have a SCWD which I believe Is causing the problem with the bubbles.

 

[Bullet]

I did not use the SCWD. I was going to but did not want to give up the flow and I do not like the way you have to plumb those in.

 

[drock59]

did you resolve your problem? I am having a similar one.

 

[Bullet]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6874610#post6874610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drock59
did you resolve your problem? I am having a similar one.

Yeah I did. I went back to powerheads . I never was able to get them to stop. I have been told since that I was not giving the pump enough water. I had a 2" intake that I brought down to 1 1/5". I was told that if I would have done the intake with 2 or 2 1/2" it would not have done that. I believe the term is cavitation.