sump failure again

derick75 · 06-24-2006, 05:21 PM

On my quest to reduce microbubbles entering the sump i have designed my 6th modification to my 30 gallon rubbermaid sump.

The return flows into a rubbermaid container which contains micron pad on the bottom and floss on the top. It then drains down through holes in the bottom to another rubbermaid container with holes on the bottom. From there it flows into a bucket without holes, travles above the bucket into another bucket with holes on the bottom.

Talk about baffling! after all this i still have microbubbles at 500gph into the sump after all that. I shut of EVERYTHING in the tank. All flow, then i turned on my UV which has 150gph i ran it through my sump baffling system, I then took a flashlight and again saw microbubbles LOL I totatly give up.

I have spent many hours on this and still can not solve the problem. My PH is low I cant get it above 7.9 during the day thats with 432 watts abouve it. Perhaps it is a water quality problem. This is the most frustrating time i ever had in my 6 years in the saltwater hobby.

150gph causing microbubbles through all that baffiling i have totaly exhausted all ideas

Kensn · 06-24-2006, 05:43 PM

A stab in the dark here, but there might be a small leak in your return line that is sucking in air..... Just a thought...

prow · 06-24-2006, 08:25 PM

yeah i agree it might be something like pin hole in the tubing causing the bubbles. might have to just get all new plumbing. for the ph whats your other levels, Ca+, ALK. how new is this system? also, are you useing a skimmer?

derick75 · 06-24-2006, 08:59 PM

All flow in the tank is off. No pumps running no powerheads nothing. I hook up the 150 gph UV through 4 baffels and still get bubbles.

morbius18 · 06-26-2006, 11:51 AM

I had the same problem, and kept thinking that it was my rubbermade container, and I had a small screw barb fitting that wasn't sealed good and letting in air bubbles.
If your pump's imput is blocked or restricted, it could also be cavitating and causing the bubbles..

06-24-2006, 05:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
derick75 Tunicate Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6 View Gallery Karma Komment	sump failure again On my quest to reduce microbubbles entering the sump i have designed my 6th modification to my 30 gallon rubbermaid sump. The return flows into a rubbermaid container which contains micron pad on the bottom and floss on the top. It then drains down through holes in the bottom to another rubbermaid container with holes on the bottom. From there it flows into a bucket without holes, travles above the bucket into another bucket with holes on the bottom. Talk about baffling! after all this i still have microbubbles at 500gph into the sump after all that. I shut of EVERYTHING in the tank. All flow, then i turned on my UV which has 150gph i ran it through my sump baffling system, I then took a flashlight and again saw microbubbles LOL I totatly give up. I have spent many hours on this and still can not solve the problem. My PH is low I cant get it above 7.9 during the day thats with 432 watts abouve it. Perhaps it is a water quality problem. This is the most frustrating time i ever had in my 6 years in the saltwater hobby. 150gph causing microbubbles through all that baffiling i have totaly exhausted all ideas

06-24-2006, 05:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kensn Elegance coral Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Auburn Wa. Posts: 1,249 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: sump failure again A stab in the dark here, but there might be a small leak in your return line that is sucking in air..... Just a thought... __________________ Ken When the ebbing tide retreats Along the rocky shoreline It leaves a trail of tidal pools In a short-lived galaxy Rush

06-24-2006, 08:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
prow Manta Ray Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 3,990 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: sump failure again yeah i agree it might be something like pin hole in the tubing causing the bubbles. might have to just get all new plumbing. for the ph whats your other levels, Ca+, ALK. how new is this system? also, are you useing a skimmer?

06-24-2006, 08:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
derick75 Tunicate Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: sump failure again All flow in the tank is off. No pumps running no powerheads nothing. I hook up the 150 gph UV through 4 baffels and still get bubbles.

06-26-2006, 11:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
morbius18 Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fairbanks Alaska Posts: 20 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: sump failure again I had the same problem, and kept thinking that it was my rubbermade container, and I had a small screw barb fitting that wasn't sealed good and letting in air bubbles. If your pump's imput is blocked or restricted, it could also be cavitating and causing the bubbles..

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