My Never-ending Calcium Problem

[Melanie]

So, I've determined it IS microbubbles and not Ca precipitation. **blushing**

I rearranged my sump to separate my skimmer from my return pump. I also disconnected my FUGE.

Now there are no bubbles (or Ca precipate for that matter.) BUT it is making the most horrible sucking noise. I did a video of my tank showing the dramatic improvement since the last video and also you can hear and SEE why it's making this noise.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YouTube - The Noise in the Tank

 

[AQTCJAK]

Sounds like you have a pump that is running or has run dry

 

[Melanie]

Nope, fully submerged. The sound is coming from the overflow where that white bobbing thing keeps slamming up and down.

 

[Woodstock]

Bye bye micro bubbles. Now all we need to do is get Darth Vador out of your sump!! LOL

My 90 gal (single overflow) used to do that. To fix it, you can slow down the return pump a bit or put a sponge filter over that screen (see pic below)

 

[AQTCJAK]

I have always hated those things quess that is why I personaly build custom durspan pipes

 

[Melanie]

Ok, Doni Marie, I put the little triangle sponge back in and it cut the noise at least 50 percent. I had removed it because it was it was catching detritus.

So now, if I want to completely eliminate the noise, should I put some sort of valve on the return pump?

Jack, what do you recomend using to slow the return pump?

 

[AQTCJAK]

I actually would suggest changing the pump slowing them can cause ill effects

 

[Woodstock]

To reduce flow, you could install a "T" into the return plumbing then route some of the flow back into the sump. That does not cause any undo stress on the pump.

 

[Melanie]

GREAT idea Doni Marie! Perhaps I will do that. Sounds simple enough.

 

[ScubaDrew]

Mel - I have this T system implemented on my small quiet one pump that feeds my phosban and refugium, works like a charm just make sure you plumb the part of the T that comes off the pump back UNDER water someplace. if you end the pipe above water you'll get a lot of noise and a lot of microbubbles as it mixes with the air.

last note - depending on the volume of water in your sump, you could use a second T and ball valve off the "excess" water line and attach this to a hose and use this to drain the water from the tank for your water changes. this allows you to skip any siphoning steps you might have.

Drew

 

[Melanie]

Dang Drew! That's ingenius!!

Of course, I'm weird and I truly enjoy the siphoning. I like to see it vaccum up any detritus and yuck.

 

[lcstorc]

Glad to hear you got to the bottom of the problem.
Now we can get lots more pics from you.

 

[samn691]

I have that too... But I have always had it, I didn't think it was a problem. I thought it was normal, well, at least normal for a tank with AquaClear filters...