Bloody Microbubbles

I'm back again with my next glitch *sigh*. I'm getting a large amount
of microbubbles back into my display tank. I have baffles installed
after the skimmer section and before the return section. See pic
http://www2.cecomet.net/sgrien/sump1.jpg
As you can see, I even added another baffle before the return to avoid
the waterfall effect.
It seems that I have so much flow through the sump that the
microbubbles never have a chance to surface and pop and are being
forced through all the baffles and back to the return pump. I have no
liverock and I have just been circulating sw through the system. Will
this problem subside once I stock the tank and sump with liverock or
do I need to stick some floss or a sponge in the last baffle? I am
concerned about creating a nitrate factory with the latter and
possibly restricting the flow too much. Did I maybe select too large
of a return pump (mag 9.5)?

Just wait, someday I will have something to contribute here instead of
pestering everyone with questions. Thanks for your Ideas...again

Scott

That looks like a new system with new plumbing. Give it a
couple of weeks to slime over, and you'll probably have very
little compared to what you see now.

Your sump layout looks good to me. You might try turning
the inlet of the return pump toward the left wall of the
sump, away from the bubble trap. You can put an elbow
pointing downward on the inlet, so that it sucks water from
the base of that compartment.

If you still have microbubbles, your return plumbing may not
be water tight, and a little air is being sucked in.

Marc


sgrien wrote:

I'm back again with my next glitch *sigh*. I'm getting a large amount
of microbubbles back into my display tank. I have baffles installed
after the skimmer section and before the return section. See pic
http://www2.cecomet.net/sgrien/sump1.jpg
As you can see, I even added another baffle before the return to avoid
the waterfall effect.
It seems that I have so much flow through the sump that the
microbubbles never have a chance to surface and pop and are being
forced through all the baffles and back to the return pump. I have no
liverock and I have just been circulating sw through the system. Will
this problem subside once I stock the tank and sump with liverock or
do I need to stick some floss or a sponge in the last baffle? I am
concerned about creating a nitrate factory with the latter and
possibly restricting the flow too much. Did I maybe select too large
of a return pump (mag 9.5)?

Just wait, someday I will have something to contribute here instead of
pestering everyone with questions. Thanks for your Ideas...again

Scott

--
Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

I have the same problem, I have tried bucket baffles and everything else
that I have found on RC but
all havent helped, I just have too much water velocity thru the sump, I put
a ball socket tap on and tuned
the flow down (bled 1/2 back into the sump) and that has helped but still
not eliminated my bubbles.
Marc you build excellent sumps, if I take some pics and diags of my steup
could you peruse them as see
if you could come up with a baffle plan to help me get rid of my pesky
bubbles ?




Thanks

Jim



"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
.. .
That looks like a new system with new plumbing. Give it a
couple of weeks to slime over, and you'll probably have very
little compared to what you see now.

Your sump layout looks good to me. You might try turning
the inlet of the return pump toward the left wall of the
sump, away from the bubble trap. You can put an elbow
pointing downward on the inlet, so that it sucks water from
the base of that compartment.

If you still have microbubbles, your return plumbing may not
be water tight, and a little air is being sucked in.

Marc


sgrien wrote:

I'm back again with my next glitch *sigh*. I'm getting a large amount
of microbubbles back into my display tank. I have baffles installed
after the skimmer section and before the return section. See pic
http://www2.cecomet.net/sgrien/sump1.jpg
As you can see, I even added another baffle before the return to avoid
the waterfall effect.
It seems that I have so much flow through the sump that the
microbubbles never have a chance to surface and pop and are being
forced through all the baffles and back to the return pump. I have no
liverock and I have just been circulating sw through the system. Will
this problem subside once I stock the tank and sump with liverock or
do I need to stick some floss or a sponge in the last baffle? I am
concerned about creating a nitrate factory with the latter and
possibly restricting the flow too much. Did I maybe select too large
of a return pump (mag 9.5)?

Just wait, someday I will have something to contribute here instead of
pestering everyone with questions. Thanks for your Ideas...again

Scott

--
Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

Try raising the water level in your sump. I get the microbubbles whenever
my water level drops too much in the sump and it serves me as a good
indicator of needing to add additional topoff water. I'm burning off a
little over a gallon of water a day but tend to only add a gallon every
morning, so by the end of the week I have to throw in another half.
terry

sgrien wrote:

Just wait, someday I will have something to contribute here instead of
pestering everyone with questions. Thanks for your Ideas...again

Scott

Hi Scott:

Asking an (intelligent) questions *IS* contributing, just as much as the
people who help answer it. You never know how many other peeps might have
(or had) the exact same or similar question, and are too shy to ask...

Plus, the fact that other folks see that you're getting help, lends
creedence to the group, and encourages them to participate actively. We all
win in that case.

You are indeed contributing.

Regards,
H.

Have you tried a poly fill sheet across the baffles? And also, have
you tried installing a poly fill sock over the end of the pipe which
comes from your tank?

I too had tons of bubbles, and was able to solve it this way. The
poly fill sheet over the baffle will cause the water to go over the
poly fill by which it will trap the bubbles.

Hope this works.

On Sat, 02 Oct 2004 06:36:47 GMT, "ReeFeR_MaN"
wrote:

I have the same problem, I have tried bucket baffles and everything else
that I have found on RC but
all havent helped, I just have too much water velocity thru the sump, I put
a ball socket tap on and tuned
the flow down (bled 1/2 back into the sump) and that has helped but still
not eliminated my bubbles.
Marc you build excellent sumps, if I take some pics and diags of my steup
could you peruse them as see
if you could come up with a baffle plan to help me get rid of my pesky
bubbles ?




Thanks

Jim



"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
. ..
That looks like a new system with new plumbing. Give it a
couple of weeks to slime over, and you'll probably have very
little compared to what you see now.

Your sump layout looks good to me. You might try turning
the inlet of the return pump toward the left wall of the
sump, away from the bubble trap. You can put an elbow
pointing downward on the inlet, so that it sucks water from
the base of that compartment.

If you still have microbubbles, your return plumbing may not
be water tight, and a little air is being sucked in.

Marc


sgrien wrote:

I'm back again with my next glitch *sigh*. I'm getting a large amount
of microbubbles back into my display tank. I have baffles installed
after the skimmer section and before the return section. See pic
http://www2.cecomet.net/sgrien/sump1.jpg
As you can see, I even added another baffle before the return to avoid
the waterfall effect.
It seems that I have so much flow through the sump that the
microbubbles never have a chance to surface and pop and are being
forced through all the baffles and back to the return pump. I have no
liverock and I have just been circulating sw through the system. Will
this problem subside once I stock the tank and sump with liverock or
do I need to stick some floss or a sponge in the last baffle? I am
concerned about creating a nitrate factory with the latter and
possibly restricting the flow too much. Did I maybe select too large
of a return pump (mag 9.5)?

Just wait, someday I will have something to contribute here instead of
pestering everyone with questions. Thanks for your Ideas...again

Scott

--
Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

A poly fill sheet? Do you have a link where I can find this stuff? Has
this solution created any Nitrate problems in your tank, or water flow
restriction problems? Thanks.

Scott

Have you tried a poly fill sheet across the baffles? And also, have
you tried installing a poly fill sock over the end of the pipe which
comes from your tank?

I too had tons of bubbles, and was able to solve it this way. The
poly fill sheet over the baffle will cause the water to go over the
poly fill by which it will trap the bubbles.

Hope this works.

Sure Jim, email them to me. You address is on my site if
you can't figure out how to use the one on this message.

Marc


ReeFeR_MaN wrote:

I have the same problem, I have tried bucket baffles and everything else
that I have found on RC but
all havent helped, I just have too much water velocity thru the sump, I put
a ball socket tap on and tuned
the flow down (bled 1/2 back into the sump) and that has helped but still
not eliminated my bubbles.
Marc you build excellent sumps, if I take some pics and diags of my steup
could you peruse them as see
if you could come up with a baffle plan to help me get rid of my pesky
bubbles ?

Thanks

Jim


--
Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

Scott,

I've had no nitrate problems. But, i do rinse off the sheet ever 2-3
days.

As for flow restrictions, once the polyfill is wet, it only increases
the height of the baffle by about 1/8"
On 4 Oct 2004 06:04:33 -0700, (sgrien) wrote:

A poly fill sheet? Do you have a link where I can find this stuff? Has
this solution created any Nitrate problems in your tank, or water flow
restriction problems? Thanks.

Scott

Have you tried a poly fill sheet across the baffles? And also, have
you tried installing a poly fill sock over the end of the pipe which
comes from your tank?

I too had tons of bubbles, and was able to solve it this way. The
poly fill sheet over the baffle will cause the water to go over the
poly fill by which it will trap the bubbles.

Hope this works.

sgrien wrote:
A poly fill sheet? Do you have a link where I can find this stuff? Has
this solution created any Nitrate problems in your tank, or water flow
restriction problems? Thanks.

Scott

Have you tried a poly fill sheet across the baffles? And also, have
you tried installing a poly fill sock over the end of the pipe which
comes from your tank?

I too had tons of bubbles, and was able to solve it this way. The
poly fill sheet over the baffle will cause the water to go over the
poly fill by which it will trap the bubbles.

Hope this works.

Polyfil - the quilt batting sheets? You can get the stuff at any fabric or
craft store, if that's what he's talking about.

Cindy