Mega Flow Owners Respond

derick75 · 05-18-2006, 12:13 AM

heres the problem i am getting micro bubbles coming from my mega overflow return in my 75 gallon tank.my original set up was a posideon pump 700gph with the shut valves i used a filter sock and every thing i could think of still got the bubbles, i even got rid of the lock line the black flexible tubeing the comes with the megaflow as i thought air was coming in that way no luck... so i then tried a mag 7 pump with no shut off valves just a hose bard going straight up into the tanks bulkhead at the bottom of the tank still have bubbles coming in spurts every 3 -4 seconds. i have a tidepool 2 sump and the skimmer is off when i am testing for bubbles. there is very few bubbles in the sump so thats not the problem the flow with the mag 7 is running around 500 gallons an hour compared to the 700gph with the posidon which is a much better and quiter pump. the last think i can think of is pvc glueing the megaflow return.. the striaght pipe the elbow is this the cause?? did you guys have to glue your return?? i am out of ideas i am totaly frustrated with this....HELP

cracker · 05-18-2006, 01:47 AM

derick, Lots of causes for bubbles. 1st consider that bubbles in the tank look bad but are not really harmful. Your Tidepool should be able to handle any bubbles from the overflow. Is the input side of the pump restricted in any way? Can you raise the water level in the tidepool? Also any tiny pinhole leak in the return line can suck air and blow it into the tank.

derick75 · 05-18-2006, 02:16 AM

i can raise the water level a little bit perhaps a inch..and the return line is new i replaced that when i was troble shooting..as far as the mag7 all i have is a sponge filter over it ill raise the water a little see if that helps i doubt it but worth a try

mps9506 · 05-18-2006, 07:54 AM

Yes, glue your pvc fittings.
Make sure to prime and put the solvent all the way around the pipe and the inside of the fitting and mash em togther and twist slightly.
This will ensure no leaks in the plumbing which is usually the cause of bubbles.

Also if you look at the elbow on the top of the return pipe that comes with the AGA overflow kit, it has a notch in it, it is an anti siphon hole that prevents too much water from siphoning back into the the tank. Make sure it is oriented the correct way. I think it usually can only get put on one way as one side is usually threaded for the loc line fittings, but it can act as a venturi and introduce bubbles. You may want to try sealing that hole and seeing what happens.
And yah, go back to the other pump...

cioutlaw · 05-18-2006, 11:08 PM

I have megaflows & vote for glueing your PVC joints. I have no micro bubbles.

cracker · 05-19-2006, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cioutlaw

I have megaflows & vote for glueing your PVC joints. I have no micro bubbles.

I missed that! For sure glue all fittings

cioutlaw · 05-19-2006, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cracker

I missed that! For sure glue all fittings

I didnt glue any of the fittings in the overflows. just the ones below the tank.

cracker · 05-19-2006, 07:49 PM

Any drains can be dry fit but Any return lines under pressure should be glued hose clamps etc. Really all lines should be firmly attached/sealed at joints just to be safe and prevent flooding. Iv'e dry fit drains and wrapped with tape temporarly then promptly forgot about them . They do find a way to separate sooner or later.

05-18-2006, 12:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
derick75 Tunicate Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6 View Gallery Karma Komment	Mega Flow Owners Respond heres the problem i am getting micro bubbles coming from my mega overflow return in my 75 gallon tank.my original set up was a posideon pump 700gph with the shut valves i used a filter sock and every thing i could think of still got the bubbles, i even got rid of the lock line the black flexible tubeing the comes with the megaflow as i thought air was coming in that way no luck... so i then tried a mag 7 pump with no shut off valves just a hose bard going straight up into the tanks bulkhead at the bottom of the tank still have bubbles coming in spurts every 3 -4 seconds. i have a tidepool 2 sump and the skimmer is off when i am testing for bubbles. there is very few bubbles in the sump so thats not the problem the flow with the mag 7 is running around 500 gallons an hour compared to the 700gph with the posidon which is a much better and quiter pump. the last think i can think of is pvc glueing the megaflow return.. the striaght pipe the elbow is this the cause?? did you guys have to glue your return?? i am out of ideas i am totaly frustrated with this....HELP

05-18-2006, 01:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
cracker Acropora Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North East Florida Posts: 1,785 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Mega Flow Owners Respond derick, Lots of causes for bubbles. 1st consider that bubbles in the tank look bad but are not really harmful. Your Tidepool should be able to handle any bubbles from the overflow. Is the input side of the pump restricted in any way? Can you raise the water level in the tidepool? Also any tiny pinhole leak in the return line can suck air and blow it into the tank.

05-18-2006, 02:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
derick75 Tunicate Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Mega Flow Owners Respond i can raise the water level a little bit perhaps a inch..and the return line is new i replaced that when i was troble shooting..as far as the mag7 all i have is a sponge filter over it ill raise the water a little see if that helps i doubt it but worth a try

05-18-2006, 07:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally stoked dude Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,518 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Mega Flow Owners Respond Yes, glue your pvc fittings. Make sure to prime and put the solvent all the way around the pipe and the inside of the fitting and mash em togther and twist slightly. This will ensure no leaks in the plumbing which is usually the cause of bubbles. Also if you look at the elbow on the top of the return pipe that comes with the AGA overflow kit, it has a notch in it, it is an anti siphon hole that prevents too much water from siphoning back into the the tank. Make sure it is oriented the correct way. I think it usually can only get put on one way as one side is usually threaded for the loc line fittings, but it can act as a venturi and introduce bubbles. You may want to try sealing that hole and seeing what happens. And yah, go back to the other pump... __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

05-18-2006, 11:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
cioutlaw Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Champaign Illinois Posts: 958 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Mega Flow Owners Respond I have megaflows & vote for glueing your PVC joints. I have no micro bubbles.

05-19-2006, 07:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
cracker Acropora Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North East Florida Posts: 1,785 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Mega Flow Owners Respond Any drains can be dry fit but Any return lines under pressure should be glued hose clamps etc. Really all lines should be firmly attached/sealed at joints just to be safe and prevent flooding. Iv'e dry fit drains and wrapped with tape temporarly then promptly forgot about them . They do find a way to separate sooner or later.

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