sump help re: my micro bubble insanity

[willray]

I shut everything down one by one and the culprit is the mag 7 that's used for the return on the sump. This is really getting to me and my corals

Any clue as why it would create it's own micro bubbles?

 

[Conlius]

it could be creating a vortex on the surface which would suck down some air and create your microbubbles. Either that or there is a small hole in your plumbing which is sucking in air as it travels back to the tank...

 

[willray]

it could be creating a vortex on the surface which would suck down some air and create your microbubbles. Either that or there is a small hole in your plumbing which is sucking in air as it travels back to the tank...

Wouldn't a small hole cause the water to come out?

 

[daves-reef]

Check all of your return plumbing for small air leaks. Cover joints with silicon and use tephlon tape for all threaded conections. Often joints may leak air but not any water.

Do you have bubb les in the sump before the return pump. Check with a flash light. if you do then you may need to add baffeles in your sump.
Dave

 

[willray]

All my plumbing is glued and teflon tape where needed.Best I could tell they aren't flowing thru the sump as I had everthing shut off except the return pump.There is one baffle b4 the pump and so much cheto I don't know that any bubbles could pass thru it. A partial blockage in the inlet on the pump I.E. snail, hermit....Could cause this?

 

[daves-reef]

Glue joints can still leak air. I had one that did on my closed loop. I used silicon on outside to stop bubles.

 

[rtc_reefer]

Could it be the impeller in the pump is damaged causing cavitation? Is there any way you can disconnect the pump and run it in a tub of saltwater and observe what the discharge looks like? That way you could begin the isolation process.

 

[willray]

Rick, Good Idea!
Dave, While it's out and waterflow is off I'll silicon around the connections and double check all my unions.......

 

[rtc_reefer]

Rick, Good Idea!
Dave, While it's out and waterflow is off I'll silicon around the connections and double check all my unions.......

Good luck!

 

[merk1_99]

How did it work out Bill? Next time I am at your house I want to check out your plumbing return section. I need to create better return flow. My pump is similiar in size I believe but I am wasting its potential return flow....

 

[willray]

hey Rick,
I won't have time for this until teus or wed.I want to swap the mag 7 for the quiteone3000.I never felt comfy w/the quiteone externally anyhow because it's just a simple twist away from disaster. I'm pretty good at plumbing(been doing this kinda stuff for work 20 + yrs) and doubt it's an air leak but I'm still going to check and double seal everthing.Your welcome to stop by anytime.

 

[willray]

I did the flashlight trick and discovered that my return and skimmer were creating most of the bubbles.I still need to lower the tee more so it's closer to the water line.Also I put a mag pump prefilter sponge and a filter bag over the skimmer outlet . UHHH~