Microbubbles

[ReeferBen]

So I am getting a ton of microbubbles out of my return. Its driving me nuts. The tank is 4' x 3' x 2' and sump is a 40 breeder. The sump has 2 skimmers in it that put some microbubbles into the sump but not a ton. The return is a Panworld 200PS. I split the return into a manifold.

So it goes sump, ball valve, pump, ball valve, manifold, ball valve, and then T's off to two returns.

The tank has a boat load of microbubbles coming out of the returns. When I look in the sump I dont see any going into the return. The sump has a over under over set up for the baffles before the return.

Should I add more baffles? Or do you think there is a problem with the plumbing, like a pinhole acting like a venturi. The tank is against the wall and getting to all the plumbing is very hard.

If I slow the return down a bunch it goes away but I dont want to slow it down more than it already is. Could I just slap silicone or more PVC glue around the joints or is that a waste? Add more baffles?

 

[TopNotchCorals]

I added a filter pad in one of my baffles and it worked great maybe you ca

n add one before your return pump

 

[hwntunda]

if they arent reaching the return, its probably to do with your plumbing. but you can try putting filter socks to catch the excess microbubbles coming from the skimmers to see if it helps.

 

[ReeferBen]

If its the plumbing, you think putting a silicon ring around all the joints would make a difference?

 

[hwntunda]

i wouldnt use silicone... i dont think it would bond really well. id use an semi thick epoxy, or holdfast etc...

 

[ReeferBen]

Im gonna just unplug my skimmers for a few hours and see if that fixs it. If it doesnt I have a lot of joints to fix....

 

[TopNotchCorals]

With all those hoses going in and out of your sump it could be a lot of different things.Are you running a canister filter os any other kind of filtration besides the skimmers?

 

[ReeferBen]

The manifold runs the chiller, deltec canister filter for the NP biopellets, the dual BRS for carbon/GFO, and feeds the frag tank. The other hoses are from the liter meter CA/ALK/Top off.

 

[Mr E Wrasse]

I would clean your return pump really well. When the impeller gets dirty it can cause cavitation in which makes micro bubbles. Are the bubbles in the return area of your sump? or is it just happening in the display?

 

[ReeferBen]

Are the bubbles in the return area of your sump? or is it just happening in the display?

Just the display. Unplugging the skimmers did nothing. When I look close at the sump near the return intake I see no bubbles.

 

[TANKSALOT]

Sure sounds like a pin hole that is causing this in the return line. :sad:

 

[ReeferBen]

When the impeller gets dirty it can cause cavitation in which makes micro bubbles.

Got me reading about cavitation and such, someone in another thread with a similair problem was told thier issue was cavitation because of a 90 degree elbow right after the bulkhead doesnt allow the water to equalize causing cavitation and the microbubbles.

Sure sounds like a pin hole that is causing this in the return line.

I am really hoping its not the case, the tank has an external overflow thats up against the wall. I can get to all the joints under the tank (still a stretch with 3' width) but the joints in the back up behind the tank would be extremely hard to get to.

 

[Troylee]

Do you have threaded joints coming off the return pump??? They would suck air but not drip water... Always use Teflon paste for all threaded joints...

 

[TANKSALOT]

Can you disconnect it and remove it for inspection?

 

[ReeferBen]

Do you have threaded joints coming off the return pump??? They would suck air but not drip water... Always use Teflon paste for all threaded joints...

I have pro dope is that the same thing as teflon paste? The return is threaded onto a true union ballvalve deal on both intake and output sides, opposite end is glued. Only other taped joints are where my returns go through my eurobracing. The eurobracing is drilled in the corners, and bulkheads were installed, I used flex PVC to a slip/slip 90, again a slip/thread 90 which is threaded into those bulkheads.

I just removed the return pump to check it out but if I can use prodope (Pro-Dope Pipe Joint Compound - Thread Sealing Compund made by Hercules Chemical Co. Inc. - Dickson Supply's AccentShopping.Com 1-800-456-5267) I will remove the tape and put that on and reinstall the pump.

 

[ReeferBen]

Ok so I used the pro-dope since it said it could be used on household water lines I assumed it was reefsafe as well. I checked the seal, seemed fine, checked impeller also fine. I cleaned the tape off the threads on the return pumps in and outs and put the union ends back on.

Plugged the pump back in and noticed right away an increase of volume for some reason, adjusted my ball valve to let more water go to the display and.....NO MICROBUBBLES!!!!! Yesssss finally! Its only been a few minutes but so far so good!!! The increase flow also increase flow to all the things my manifold was running, so I was messing with some of the plumbing on the side of the tank and heard splash ooops frag tank overflowing lol.

Well 1:30am but glad I decided to work on this, Ive had some microbubble problems since this tank was set up last year. At times I could get them to go away by slowing down the return but I guess it was the teflon tape on the pump, in the last few days they have been horrible. I hope I dont wake up to microbubbles but think I am in the clear. Thanks all for the help!

 

[Troylee]

Sorry I didn't get back to ya sooner.... Glad it all worked out man.... I always reccomend the paste over tape, I personally have had alot of problems with tape and the paste is always the cure...;)