Microbubbles coming from return... help

[ldolor2]

Hey everyone, I’m at a lost. I leak tested my plumbing and tank prior to cycling and no leaks. However, I didn’t have my tank light on during the process. Well, I programmed my LEDs today and realized I have microbubbles circulating my display. I expected maybe it might have been some microbubbles from my overflow running through my sump. There definitely are microbubbles coming from the “open chamber” of my bean animal overflow (another issue I have yet to figure out), but there are no bubbles making it past the skimmer section and my bubble trap. Therefore, there are no bubbles being sucked into my return pump. Is it possible I have a leak in my plumbing causing air to be sucked into and out of my return plumbing? If so, how can I test for that and how can I fix it?

 

[Mjrenz]

Pictures would help

 

[Idoc]

I would suspect just as you say...a leak in the return plumbing sucking air into the pipe as it returns to the tank.

Maybe try taking a piece of siran wrap or something and pull it tight around all the junction points and see if the bubbles stop. This might allow you to find which joint is in question. If not, maybe a small line of pvc cement at the junctions?

 

[cracker]

Good idea Idoc ! Maybe the water level in the return section is a little low?

 

[ldolor2]

There’s no vortex being generated in the return chamber nor is the water level low. I re-added the filter socks to eliminate any bubbles to be reintroduced by the overflow plumbing. Here are some pictures of the tank. It’s very hard to see the bubbles in these pictures, but they are definitely there.

 

[ldolor2]

Here is a better picture of the bubbles

 

[Mastiffsrule]

My guess is going to be pump related somewhere in the system. Micro bubbles usually are along the lines of cavitation usually caused by movement from a propeller. I would think if it was a plumbing issue you should see a leak.

I would shut down the skimmers for a few hours just to be sure. Any other pumps going?

 

[ldolor2]

No other pumps... I’ll shut the protein skimmer off overnight and see if there’s any microbubbles in the morning. However, I sat there with a flashlight in my sump and didn’t see a single bubble pass through the bubble trap, but it’s worth ruling that out completely.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

If the leak was on the return side it would leak water rather than suck air. You probably have a bad seal on the suction side of your return pump.

 

[ldolor2]

Bad seal? It’s a submerged abyzz, not an external pump.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Your return pump is sucking air or skimmer or other component expelling air to return pump. Assure return pump is submersed.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Bad seal? It’s a submerged abyzz, not an external pump.

If the water level is close to the intake and it has a bad seal it could pull air

 

[ldolor2]

There’s no chance the pump is pulling air from the surface. To test this I had the pump about 8” below water and watched for several minutes. There’s no air bubbles coming from the skimmer as well.