MicroBubbles

[Jennifier615]

I have two return pumps on my tank but we only run one into a union that returns water on both sides of the tank. Last night my return pump stopped returning water to the tank.....so after partially disassembling my sump, plumbing, and skimmer I replaced the faulty pump with my spare. NOW, the replacement pump is pushing micro bubbles all into my tank(It's my tank when it acts up). Chris told me I could re-disassemble the tank and take the pumps off and take them apart and clean them out.(which scares me cause I am limited with mechanical stuff I am afraid I wouldn't be able to re-assemble it the way it was before I took it apart). He said he would be able to possibly jet home Saturday and put in some more plumbing that would make life for me a whole lot simpler. Are the microbubbles gonna wreak that much havoc for the few days they will be there? We are also under the discussion to maybe buy another return pump, but are kinda clueless on what is good and what pump would be a good buy at a decent cost. I do know from taking it apart my spinning connector things(unions?) are 3/4" does that make a difference when choosing a pump? I would love to find one that just bolts right up.

The pumps I have now are bluelineaquatics velocity T3 pumps.

 

[orthokardia]

microbubbles should not hurt for a few days. the 300 has looked like the inside of a good skimmer for 2 weeks now.

 

[Jennifier615]

Thanks for help putting my mind at ease. I can deal with a crappy looking display for a few days as long as it won't hurt it in the long run.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Jen, If you can Swing it get a Water Blaster Return Pump, They are what I use to Run My Whole System. They are Also the Most Cost Effective Power use that I have ever had as they use very little power and have a 3 year Warranty (Full Replacement) No Questions asked if it Quits!
Bill

 

[Jennifier615]

What size pump would you suggest? Do they come with the 3/4" threaded ends so I can easily attach my existing piping?

 

[evsalty]

You disassembled some of your plumbing so you could just have a tiny leak that is drawing in air. Check all your connections and make sure that they are tight.

 

[GT_Jacket]

What size pump would you suggest? Do they come with the 3/4" threaded ends so I can easily attach my existing piping?

Bill is running the Water Blaster 7000 model. That would probably be the right one for your size also.

I know they come with at least a 1" Slip outlet connection (may have others). This would not be too hard to reduce down to 3/4" threaded.

 

[cee]

Have you ever been snorkeling or diving? Microbubbles will not hurt even long-term. The ocean is full of them.

 

[Jennifier615]

No I haven't but I want to. That's one thing on my to do list this year is divers certification.

 

[jcw]

Microbubbles depending on how they are produced can cause problems.

In a recent thread, someone lost some fish to gill emboli when his return pump entrained air and resulted in nitrogen supersaturation in the DT.

Yeah, I didn't beelieve it either at first. But apparently it's well documented.

Although, it sounds like your pump is cavitating (a complete guess, i'm kinda ignorant) and apparently that type of microbubbles won't lead to supersaturation.

 

[cee]

Yeah, I guess air injected under pressure could cause that but I suspect that is pretty unusual in the hobby. Certainly wouldn't normally happen with crashing waves...

 

[nightfire]

hey jen remember i dont live too far from you so if ever ya need help with the tank and chis isnt around just give me a call....as far as plumbing goes im good at that but anyways just call me or pm me but as far as the bubbles go as stated they shouldnt be a problem....just annoying to look at lol

 

[NeedBiggerTank]

Before I moved my skimmer to my sump, I had micro bubbles on occassion, as bubbles from the skimmer would get sucked into a Koralia, making losts of miniture bubbles. A few of my corals didn't seem to care for the micro bubbles and wouldn't completely open and/or extend their polyps, but it didn't seem to bother the other inhabitants. I didn't notice any lingering effects to any of my corals. I used to have them constantly before I upgraded my skimmer to the Turboflotor (SeaClone = micro bubble factory).

I would think for a couple of days, you'd be fine.