new tank - micro bubbles_read all threads. Advice welcome

[dave-ko]

So here's the story.
Moved 75g to new 120g. completed move yesterday and have been battling micro-bubbles.
Yes, I read through all the previous threads on micro's but just have a few additional questions.

I'll attach a photo of setup and picture of bubbles after post.

Berlin sump below a 120g Perfecto reef ready tank. This is starting off as FOWLR for at least 6 months or so. Sump diagram (see below) depicts the basic setup and water flow.

Overflow hose empty's into skimmer area, which then over flows into main sump area (skimmers return pours directly into second chamber). Main sump area then flows up and over first baffle, through a blues media pad, which is also filled with LR branch pcs. (FYI-Main sump area is also stocked with a few LR pcs.)
From there the water flows under another baffle, through a media sponge and up and over the last baffle into the last chamber where the sump pump sits.

Sump pump is a mag drive 12 with a ball valve on the return section. (This appears that it is not needed since I don't need to slow the flow down).
I have a 90 degree pvc elbow on the input of the pump to keep the pump as low to the glass etc....

So, with all of this I would think I'm good to go but yet I have micro bubbles....As seen in the below photo.
Reading through previous threads I see that it could take a week or two for the new tank to settle, silicone to cure etc...Even the skimmer to set in etc....

I do see a very small drip from where the ball valve meets the pump and am wondering if it could be pulling in air?
Should I try to connect the stock sponge filter that comes with the Mag Drive 12 to see if that helps with the bubbles.

I may just have to live with the fact that I may not be 100% bubble free...I have really good flow, movement in the tank, appears to be no other leaks etc...But they are definitely coming from the return.

I hate BUBBLES!!!!!!:mad2:

 

[dave-ko]

 

[dave-ko]

 

[dave-ko]

removed the 90 degree pvc from input of the pump and intsalled factory sponge/filter that come with the pump and call me crazy but it looks like I have more bubbles then before....

I'm going to leave it like that over night and see how it looks in the morning. Doubtful there will be any change. Other thing I was thinking was to wrap the pump foam filter in a filter sock and tie wrap it and see if that kills my micro bubbles...
I'm loosing too much sleep over this....
Any other suggestions are welcome...
Thx.

 

[lmracing8l]

Hi Dave Ko

I don't have any suggestions for you, but I know what you are going through. I have the same problem. The salesman at my lfs said those microbubbles are not good for the fish either. I have tried micron filters. I tried putting a bigger filter pad in between the skimmer and pump. I wrapped the micronfilter pad around the normal filter pad. I put a little piece of micronfilter pad ontop of the slider tube. The best that eliminated the micro bubbles was the micron filter pad around the sponge between the skimmer and pump. But, the problem was it wouldn't let enought water through to the pump. I have a ASM skimmer and I emailed them, they said get a gate mod kit. Which I did and it does not work. My hubby came up with a solution and we will see if it works. I do not know. It is driving me crazy also.

 

[chadb420]

could be from your water that is falling over your last baffle into return section, mabey 1 more baffle from the height of the first one to about a inch or so from the bottom. just a thought, mabey some of the experts will chime in.

 

[dave-ko]

It's an option....My first baffle has two options. The height it currently is or I can remove the taller piece (first baffle has 2 height options) which will lower the water level in the main sump area.

Another thing I was thinking was to custom cut a piece of the black foam sponge (I bought a few spare ones) and wedge it above the LR in section 2 to try and break the water fall splashing etc....
In my previous tank, they always remained but at a bare minimal.

I also have a 100 micron filter sock on the return hose sitting in the skimmer compartment, which is working great for collecting large debris.

 

[BreadmanMike]

Anytime I've set a new tank up or change plumbing on an old setup; I always get microbubbles for the first month or so.

It always seems to go away when the pvc/hoses gets a slime coat built up inside of them.

 

[dave-ko]

Your wisdom is well taken....I agree that on my previous tank they seemed to dissipate over time.

While I wait, I added the foam filter sponge after the first baffle to break the water fall, which seemed to steady the flow and break the splashing etc....Since I disturbed the water I need to wait a few hours for everything to settle to see if this makes a difference.

See image...

I'll advise later on tonight.

 

[Hop]

Turn your skimmer around. Your putting all the micro bubbles from your skimmer right into the baffle and they are being swept right to your return pump.

Also what is the return pump?

My personal rule of thumb on microbubbles.

1. Give anything that makes bubbles the longest travel time before the pump (drain lines, skimmers etc).

2. Check for leaks in the return plumbing. In your case being newly plumbed I would also wait a week or two and check again. Plus water flows through the pipes better after it gets a slime coat.

3. If all else fails, slow the volume of water flowing through the sump until the bubbles are at a reasonable or a amount you are willing to live with.

 

[Hop]

Never mind on the pump ?... A mag 12 IMO is overkill for that system. You only want about 3-5 times the system volume through your sump. You could cut your flow in half and probably rid your tank of microsbubbles completely after turning the skimmer around.

 

[dave-ko]

Good advice....I flipped the skimmer around so pours out on the left side of the main sump area. I also agree that I need to wait another week or so for all the PVC, tank, hoses etc.. to break in.
As for the pump size, this can go both ways. I have a ball valve on the pump and slowing down the flow didn't make a difference YET!.
The water leaves the pump, goes through another hose to a UV then up to the tank return so it does have some time to travel.

I've made so many tweeks I think I just need to give it more time before doing anything else..


Everyones advice/ideas are much appreciated.
Will keep you posted.
Thanks,
Dave