Quesiton about microbubbles.

[nevolved]

Hey everyone,

Ok, some basics that should help with this problem:

65gallon DT
20Gallon sump (with bubble trap, and a filter bag for the overflow)

flow = 2 koralia 2s, 6025 with mod, rio 1700 return
3000gph or so


I have microbubbles =(!

I can observe that no microbubbles make it from my skimmer/overflow past the baffles. But, when entering the tank my return puts in lots of bubbles. (I do have a small hole in the return line for a siphon break.) So, is there something wrong with my return pump, or can the high amount of flow that meets in 1 area cause the bubbles?

Thanks,

 

[jansenwrasse]

Cavitation may be a cause. Do you use any gate/ball valves?

Sometimes new tubing can take some time to "break in". Sometimes turning off the pump to allow it to back siphon can sometimes help. I usually just tap the hosing to see if it gets worse. There may also be a leak somewhere that is allowing air into the tubing, try covering your anti-siphon hole to see if that helps
Good Luck!

 

[nevolved]

Hmm there is a ball valve that I have connected to the return pump at its base. I'll try to cover the break, then remove that if it's still a problem. Thanks!

 

[splateee]

Depending on how your return nozzle is you can try placing a foam pre filter that you can buy for water pumps. I have one on my return that was from my mag 3 pump and it cuts way down on the micro bubbles.