Struggling with micro bubbles from gyre

[cdw79]

I have a 5 foot peninsula and use MP40's on the overflow side and a gyre on the other side. I've struggled with micro bubbles the whole time I;ve had this tank, and I finally think I've isolated the gyre as the culprit. I'm constantly cleaning this thing (like once every 3 weeks it seems, taking the rotating parts apart and scrubbing with a toothbrush), but it doesn't seem to do much of anything besides somewhat improve the flow coming out of the pump.

The constant stream of micro bubbles is really getting on my nerves nut I'm not sure what else to do. Is this just what you get with gyres? I really would like to stick with the gyre if there's a way to limit the micro bubbles, but if not, any recommendations for a potential replacement for the gyre that will get good return flow without being a big eye sore?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The only way thats possible (in my mind) is if the gyre is close to the water surface, then the propeller creates a suction so you get a little cyclone that reaches down to the gyre and spits out bubbles. Just move the gyre down a couple of inches to avoid this.

 

[TX_REEF]

you should not be having any bubbles unless the gyre is too close to the water's surface - have you tried moving it down?

 

[I never finish anythi]

If you turn the gyre off for a few hours do the bubbles totally go ?

 

[Bruttall]

pair of Gyre 350's on either end, never seen a bubble out of mine, ever. Like mentioned above, I am guessing yours are to close to surface.

 

[FUNGI]

you should not be having any bubbles unless the gyre is too close to the water's surface - have you tried moving it down?

Or installed upside down.

 

[cdw79]

The only way thats possible (in my mind) is if the gyre is close to the water surface, then the propeller creates a suction so you get a little cyclone that reaches down to the gyre and spits out bubbles. Just move the gyre down a couple of inches to avoid this.

So I work from home and my tank is a few feet from my desk. I've had suction like what is being described in previous tanks, where the suction is loud and takes in a vortex of air. Not something I've experienced in this build, so I'm pretty darn confident that's not the culprit. It's just when I watch it, It seems to produce a ton of microbubbles with very few coming in, and I don't see that from MP40's for example.

I suppose the only other culprits would be the MP40's (which are midway down in the tank so that seems super unlikely) or the return pump. I added sponge inserts right before the return chamber and made sure there is no splashing down there, so I feel like I can safely assume that it's not coming from down there? Only other thing is I have anemone guards on my MP40's but I assume that has nothing to do with it.

@TX_REEF how would I be able to tell if it's installed upside down? The water comes out as I'd expect, the cord exits toward the surface, so it certainly seems upright to me, but maybe I'm wrong? I can post pics if it doesn't seem conclusive from my description!

 

[FUNGI]

you should have a shield/flow director....that should be on the top side: (what make do you have?)

 

[FUNGI]

if thats the way you have them, then they are too close to the surface....are you getting a vortex effect at the water level going into them?

 

[cdw79]

you should have a shield/flow director....that should be on the top side: (what make do you have?)

Hmm, I don't seem to have that part anywhere. Mine is completely circular. I have a Maxspec MJ-GF4K, believe it's this one here https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/jump-4k-gyre-flow-pump-4-000-gph-maxspect.html

 

[TX_REEF]

if they are sucking in any air, they will output visibly more microbubbles as the gyre chops up and disperses the air. Try moving them down a couple inches.

 

[cdw79]

if they are sucking in any air, they will output visibly more microbubbles as the gyre chops up and disperses the air. Try moving them down a couple inches.

Right but I would see that in the form of a vortex of air getting taken into the unit no? None of my MP40s or gyre ever take in air, at least like that. I've had this system up for a year and worked many weeks at home, but never hear any kind of slurping sound that I used to on my old build where the powerheads were too close to the surface. Could there be another reason or source?

 

[FUNGI]

maybe a fix here.....it seems its an inherent issue with these gyres.....

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/icecap-gyre-4k-microbubbles.850975/

 

[FUNGI]

and a possible fix here:
https://www.socalireefs.com/index.php?threads/maxspec-gyre-blowing-bubbles.79896/

 

[cdw79]

maybe a fix here.....it seems its an inherent issue with these gyres.....

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/icecap-gyre-4k-microbubbles.850975/

Thank you so much for sending this!

Just wanting to be sure I'm following- as opposed to running them in the constant on mode for example, going to one of the modes that has a pulsing pattern should fix it? Or am I misunderstanding?

 

[FUNGI]

Thank you so much for sending this!

Just wanting to be sure I'm following- as opposed to running them in the constant on mode for example, going to one of the modes that has a pulsing pattern should fix it? Or am I misunderstanding?

Thats the way I read it......

 

[danreef55]

It should be easy enough to troubleshoot. Turn off One pump at a time and see when the bubbles go away?

 

[cdw79]

Ok, I'll give that a try. I could see that making sense, I follow the logic.

For the other one, I am all but positive I have it installed correctly because I experiences the issues the guy was explaining when I first installed it (incorrectly). But these are great resources to reference, really appreciate it.

Is it misguided to rule out the nem guards on the MPs? Trying to make sure I question my assumptions here

 

[FUNGI]

also, just in case, you could always try these...
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/flow-director-for-icecap-4k-gyre-pump-nemprotect.html

 

[FUNGI]

For the MPs, if you have nems....any nem protection is better then none...