MIcrobubbles in Sump

[LarryS]

Hello All:

I am setting up my reef sytem: 45tall display tank, 14 gal sump/fuge with Mag 9.5 in sump pump, 1 1/2" bulkhead on drain and 1" bulkhead on return. Euroreef ES5.2 skimmer. I have been experiencing substantial microbubbles entering the display tank from the sump, even over baffles. The problem does not appear to be an air leak in the pump, nor is the problem from the skimmer. It is starting from the turbulence of the water created when the water drains into the sump from the drain pipe.

I have tried all sorts of things including different pipe sizes and different angles of delivery of the water into the sump... nothing seems to help. There is limited water in the drain portion of the sump. I've included a pic of the setup. The problem is that after the delivery of the water, the water in the sump is infused with tiny microbubbles, that go right through the baffles and into the display.

I have had 2 knowledgeable reef people come over and tell me they can't figure it out, they claim their bubbles always dissipate after entering the sump, and cannot explain why the microbubbles stay infused in the water all the way back to the display tank.

Have any of you heard of this problem, and is there a cure? Any comments appreciated.

 

[gbolton]

try have the the drain output U directly torward the top of the water and be right below the surface within an inch. This should resolve it.

 

[Cearbhaill]

Or tie a micron filter bag over the end of the drain pipe.
This works really great but you have to rinse it at least weekly.

 

[Xantos]

try have the the drain output U directly torward the top of the water and be right below the surface within an inch. This should resolve it.

I am having the same problems. What do you mean the "drain output U" ?

 

[Reefscape]

I am having the same problems. What do you mean the "drain output U" ?

I would say, in this instance, that they are refering to the "U" shaped pipe which comes up the back of the display tank, over the tank side, and then into the tank...effectivly creating an inverted "U" of pipework.....

Attached a crude picture to hopefully show you what i think is being refered to here...

 

[salty420]

i had the same problem when my tank was up and running at first. it got better with time and as the skimmer had more work to do. i also put an extra tall piece of plexi-glass sitting up against the last baffle to direct the water over that baffle away from the return pump. basically now instead of the water just flowing over the last baffle it has to come over the baffle in the front which and the return pump is in the back of the tank. that way the any bubbles that make there was over have time to pop before going back into the DT. hope that makes sense, if not i can post a pic