Large air pocket being created in main drain tubing

[Mickie]

The last month or so my main tube that drains into my sump is getting a large air pocket inside of it, throwing off my levels in my return chamber. It has happened repeatedly. The only way I can "burp" it is to shut off my return.... Let the drain stop draining, then start the return pump up again.

What would be the cause of that?

 

[Hemmdog]

What kind of drain setup do you have?

 

[JoshH]

What kind of drain setup do you have?

+1 on this, any pictures for us to look at to maybe diagnose the issue?

 

[Mickie]

You'll have to excuse the crude Photoshop. I have a Herbie setup. The areas I marked are where I get air pockets...

The ONLY thing I have changed in the last two months are where my power heads aim. I have more surface agitation to allow my tank to cool. Could that cause air to become trapped after it falls into the overflow?

 

[FugeTown]

Probably because the hose dips down and rises back up creating a trap , the air has nowhere to go. You’ll have to run the hose so it’s constantly downhill.

 

[Mickie]

Probably because the hose dips down and rises back up creating a trap , the air has nowhere to go. You’ll have to run the hose so it’s constantly downhill.

What would cause that now though? This particular tank has been running for 2 years with no problems before?

 

[Mickie]

Probably because the hose dips down and rises back up creating a trap , the air has nowhere to go. You’ll have to run the hose so it’s constantly downhill.

Though I totally get what you're saying, I may have to adjust it

 

[Twocorns]

I had a similar issue. turned out my drain into the sump was too far down. My drain was probably 6" below the sump water line. I cut my drain so that it was only about 1" below the sump water line and my problem was solved.

 

[FugeTown]

What would cause that now though? This particular tank has been running for 2 years with no problems before?

Well it’s vinyl hose it could of shifted over time , just seems like a trap issue. One other thing is check the end of your hose for any obstructions.

 

[FugeTown]

I had a similar issue. turned out my drain into the sump was too far down. My drain was probably 6" below the sump water line. I cut my drain so that it was only about 1" below the sump water line and my problem was solved.

Exactly what he said is most likely gonna solve it

 

[Mickie]

Both makes a lot of sense. I'll fiddle with it tomorrow and see if I can't adjust both the angle and the amount of tubing going into my sump. Thank you!!