what did I do Wrong?

[Tinkerbell]

I finally get my system going and I've got microbubbles for days now. They aren't coming from the powerheads. They are coming up from my pump into my display. Even when the sump is still so its not coming from the return of the tank into the sump.

I have tried everything. The flow down into the sump is 2x the amount coming from the returns in the tank.  Even restricting the pump doesn't work. The only way to clear the bubbles is to turn off the pump. Will the micro bubbles go away after everything gets a little slimy? Should I get another tank and run one down into it and the other into my sump? My sump is baffled but there is too much flow going thru. Even my skimmer won't work (I'm gonna get a new one).

How do I reduce my down without reducing my up?

I feel like a rookie

 

[Duke]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

its possible you have a leak around your pump or plumbing... leaks can suck air in and not drip water still. I had a similar issue with my external pump, i'd go over all your plumbing and really check around any unions or ball valves.

 

[Tinkerbell]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

You know by golly I think your right! There was a little drip around the ball valve when we first set it up. The hubby tightened it up and its not dripping anymore but maybe still able to suck up air.

Would it just be the plumbing before the pump or after? Anywhere in thhe system?

Thanks Duke!

 

[TORX]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

I agree, most likely your return plumbing. But it will be hard to figure out which fitting is the culprit.

Sent from my SGH-T989D using Tapatalk 2

 

[unibob]

what am I doing wrong?

Glue em all lol

 

[Tinkerbell]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

That's just it tho. They are all glued! I wrapped plumbers tape around all the return lines but hasn't helped. I don't know. Call a plumber I guess.

 

[Duke]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

do you have unions in the plumbing? maybe the o ring s could use a small lube job with some vasoline, that's where i assumed mine were leaking.. i also went over every single joint with more pvc glue just to be safe.

 

[Tinkerbell]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

I will try it and see what happens. I gotta fix it. Just looks bad. It can't be good for the fish either.

For the flow coming out of the tank. If I don't slow it down what else can I do with it. I would like to tee off the return to do a protein skimmer. Looking to make that rush of water work for me instead of adding things that need more pumps. Was also thinking of a frag tank and making one return go there and the other in my sump.

Any ideas?

 

[Salty Cracker]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

Since return lines are under pressure, it's very unlikely that air would be sucked into the line, you would just have a leak.

Sump is your probable culprit.  Bubbles from your skimmer perhaps. 

 

[Duke]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

Since return lines are under pressure, it's very unlikely that air would be sucked into the line, you would just have a leak.

Sump is your probable culprit.  Bubbles from your skimmer perhaps.

air can get sucked in a leak much like your skimmer pump sucks in air, most likely on the intake side of the pump but I agree tho, if you've double checked everything and haven't found anything it could very well be your skimmer, or something to do with your sump, are u still using that pool pump?? maybe slow down the flow a bunch and see if it settles down.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

[quote author=Salty Cracker link=topic=3613.msg30893#msg30893 date=1353559591]
Since return lines are under pressure, it's very unlikely that air would be sucked into the line, you would just have a leak.

Sump is your probable culprit.  Bubbles from your skimmer perhaps.

air can get sucked in a leak much like your skimmer pump sucks in air, most likely on the intake side of the pump but I agree tho, if you've double checked everything and haven't found anything it could very well be your skimmer, or something to do with your sump, are u still using that pool pump?? maybe slow down the flow a bunch and see if it settles down.
[/quote]

After the pump, it's all pressurized, however I didn't know it's a pool pump (external?).  If so, definitely water can get in at the pump.  I remember years ago we replaced almost every line on our old pool to get rid of bubbles, and goddammmmit it was a leak on the pump itself. 

 

[Duke]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

after the pump it is still very possible to have air leak into the system.. the flow of the water can cause negative pressure which can draw in air.. a leaking ball valve could be a perfect example of where air could get sucked it, sure if you pressured it up it would leak water.. but flow water through it and it could draw in air.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

Could be why I failed physics year after year

 

[Tinkerbell]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

Wow. Where to start.

I'm not using the pool pump. I got a Water Blaster 10000. I would have had to plumb it half way across the room probably. And yet another reason not to use one if it can cause bubbles. sorry bought the pool.

My skimmer sucks. Needs a new pump probably. can't get it to make any foam because I think there is just too much flow for the size of the sump. need to add another tank. Just a small frag tank or make my sump feed a separate quiet refugium. I got it in my head but need input/starting.

The hubby came home took Dukes advice and glued something downstairs. probably the ball valve at the supply of the pump. Still see bubbles but the lights gone out and my viewing time is up lol.

Thanks Guys.

 

[Tinkerbell]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

could it be the pump?

When I shut down the pump the bubbles go away, when I turn it back on the bubbles start up before the overflows are even running yet. I have glued and plumber taped every joint. still have bubbles.

 

[Duke]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

got a picture of the sump?

 

[Tinkerbell]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

I was thinking it may be too small? or to chopped up? it is returns going to either side, right side fuge, left side "skimmer" , baffle and middle return.

 

[Royal Aquariums]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

In my opinion there is not enough baffles to get rid of micro bubbles. To make the best of the situation, I would suggest only using your left side for a overflow from your aquarium and teeing off your return pump to feed the refugium. This way you can regulate your refugium to a desired flow rate with a valve and shouldn't see as many bubbles being created.

 

[CRJ]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

can you not just watch the intake for the pump and see where the bubbles are coming from? id put money on that skimmer.

 

[TORX]

Re: what am I doing wrong?

Quick easy test... turn the skimmer off and see if the micro bubbles are still present in the DT.

Also, your return pump is plumbed in befor the baffles? From what I can see, your return is plumbed in at the middle chamber of your sump, the baffles are not doing anything for filtering out micro bubbles from the skimmer...if that is the culprit. The return should be plumbed into the last chamber after the baffles.

Either way, do a quick check by turning off the skimmer and see if the bubble are continuing. Also, while the skimmer is off, see if there are bubble present in the sump, if there are no bubbles in the sump, then that only leaves the return causing the bubbles. Well I should say something along the return lines...pump, joints, bulkhead etc.