Microbubbles

[NexDog]

How does one go about eliminating microbubbles? I do have a lot of microbubbles in my sump but I have largely eliminated then from reaching the display via some filter floss clipped onto the last baffle. Yet I still have lots of microbubbles and my closed loops aren't even live yet. So I guess the air must be leaking in between the sump and the display via the return? Is there any way to help detect where the air is getting in. I certainly don't want to redo all the plumbing. Can I silicon all the joints or do something similar?

 

[cioutlaw]

I doubt air is leaking into the return line...that is a pressurised line being it is on the pump discharge & has what ever head pressure you have. If there were a leak water would be coming out not air going in.

If I had to guess if your return line is going up & then back down into the tank it could have air trapped in the highest part & slowly the water picks up the air...

 

[NexDog]

It does go over the top in a 180 bend but it's been running for over a month now so you'd think any air in the system would be gone by now.

From the baffle to the last section of my sump the water is dropping about 3-4". I'm going to raise this level. Could this be causing it? Does falling water create microbubbles?

 

[hasjef]

try raising the level of water in the sunp either more water or slow down the return with a valve

 

[NexDog]

Yah, going to raise the valve on the tunze osmolater a bit later. Only have 1400gph going through the sump and the sump is pretty big and the water travels far (complete 360 around the sump).. You'd think that would be enough to eliminate microbubbles produced by the cascading water and skimmer....

 

[NexDog]

Still in microbubble hell after raising the water level in that last sump section.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[jay24k]

How is the pvc tied at your pump? You could be having an issue there if you have it restricted at the incoming vs the outgoing. Also, what I would do is get some pvc glue. Turn the pumps off and the put a nice beat around all joints.

Do you get microbubbles if you leave the return pump off? It could also be a powerhead. If you have a sandbed, sand particles can appear as bubbles too. I would restrict it down and also shining a flashlight in your sump where the water sucks up can help see those tiny tiny particles.