Help please I can’t figure out what’s wrong

[BaileysTank]

My return pump keeps putting in these micro bubbles and I can’t figure out how, the pump is fully submerged in the return chamber and is hard plumbed in. All my plumbing has glue on it and I turned off my skimmer and every other rice of equipment and it kept making the bubbles. I’m very close to giving up this has pushed me over the edge and I just can’t figure it out.

 

[MichaelFita]

My return pump keeps putting in these micro bubbles and I can’t figure out how, the pump is fully submerged in the return chamber and is hard plumbed in. All my plumbing has glue on it and I turned off my skimmer and every other rice of equipment and it kept making the bubbles. I’m very close to giving up this has pushed me over the edge and I just can’t figure it out.

Not sure if it’s just me but your video won’t load , would you be able to take some pictures of it ?

 

[Dburr1014]

The video only shows bubbles.
Tell us more, pics of the pump and plumbing would also be helpful.

 

[Rmckoy]

Picture of the sump ?
Water flowing over or through bubble traps can limit the amount of bubbles or if the return pump is sucking air .

 

[Ben.QLD2]

The main culprit for microbubbles is usually the protein skimmer, followed by water level in the sump. A powerful pump can suck from the surface of the sump if the level is too low. Check those issues and maybe post photos of the sump and plumbing etc.

Not an emergency though, this is pretty minor.

 

[cww81]

Video wouldn’t load for me either, is the overflow pipe creating bubbles where it falls into the sump water? Do you have bubble traps in the sump?

 

[BaileysTank]

The main culprit for microbubbles is usually the protein skimmer, followed by water level in the sump. A powerful pump can suck from the surface of the sump level is too low. Check those issues and maybe post photos of the sump and plumbing etc.

Not an emergency though, this is pretty minor.

I know you say not an emergency but I’ve tried everything I’ve turned off all equipment so the protein skimmer is not the problem the pump is covered in multiple inches of water so that can’t be it

 

[BaileysTank]

Video wouldn’t load for me either, is the overflow pipe creating bubbles where it meets the sump water? Do you have bubble traps in the sump?

I do have bubble traps and will be giving a better video

 

[BaileysTank]

For those who asked for more pictures

 

[Rmckoy]

I know you say not an emergency but I’ve tried everything I’ve turned off all equipment so the protein skimmer is not the problem the pump is covered in multiple inches of water so that can’t be it

Where the water spills over the baffle ahead of the return pump . There can be bubbles below the surface of the water . If the intake for the pump is close to the baffle it can suck in bubbles from the water going over the baffle .
Sometimes as easy as turning the pump intake away from that baffle or the return chamber is too small for the pump

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is pump sucking in air or showing a tornado effect from the surface ?
As others requested- Pics under white lighting of the pump in the sump will be helpful. Assure all openings at the pump are not restricted with snails or similar and that no debris in the area of impeller

 

[BaileysTank]

Is pump sucking in air or showing a tornado effect from the surface ?
As others requested- Pics under white lighting of the pump in the sump will be helpful. Assure all openings at the pump are not restricted with snails or similar and that no debris in the area of impeller

It almost looks as if the bubbles are coming out of my pump

 

[BaileysTank]

It almost looks as if the bubbles are coming out of my pump

 

[BaileysTank]

More

 

[BaileysTank]

The video only shows bubbles.
Tell us more, pics of the pump and plumbing would also be helpful.

Posted more pics in reply’s

 

[BaileysTank]

Is pump sucking in air or showing a tornado effect from the surface ?
As others requested- Pics under white lighting of the pump in the sump will be helpful. Assure all openings at the pump are not restricted with snails or similar and that no debris in the area of impeller

Got all the pics

 

[BaileysTank]

Video wouldn’t load for me either, is the overflow pipe creating bubbles where it falls into the sump water? Do you have bubble traps in the sump?

I do have bubble traps

 

[bushdoc]

Looks as if level of water in your sump is too low and your pump is creating vortex and sucking air. It is DC, controllable pump, try to decrease flow and see what happens, or raise water level in sump.
Your overflow could be also not coping with pump output.

 

[zheka757]

just to over rule the level problem, can you add 2-3 more inches of water into the sump and see if problem goes away?

 

[BlingityBling]

I have a similar Eflux pump and at high speed it needs a few inches of water over it so as not to suck air with a whirlpool effect. Do you have the control to slow it down and see if the bubbles stop? Also, stupid question, but I have no clue what that line drianing down into your return chamber is... It's right in front of your pump intake and might be the air source as there are bubles in that corner of your photo. Hard to tell... Good luck my friend.