Microbubbles in your RSM? Check here! - Page 4

Reefmack · 02-11-2009, 09:27 AM

LittleJester - give the skimmer a few days, or a week or more, to break in, and the microbubbles should decrease. A new skimmer in a new system typically generates bubbles until the manufacturing oils & residues are removed after a period of time. This happens with probably all skimmers, not just the RSM skimmer. I had it happen with both my Remora and the Tunze skimmers till they ran for a while. As your bio-load increases that will also help. With little bio-load there's not much to make firm bubbles and the bubbles exit the skimmer.

LittleJester · 02-11-2009, 09:43 AM

I understand all you mentioned. Thanks, What's your thoughts on the sponge? I have also heard that one should cut it and only use half of it.

Reefmack · 02-11-2009, 12:00 PM

LittleJester - I ended up with a slice of the sponge about 1 inch thick, and a filter pad on top (model 130). I agree - It is a good reach down to remove them for cleaning/replacing. Not all parts of this hobby are fun.

Whipitup · 02-11-2009, 12:13 PM

Course foam an inch think on top of fine filter foam (or the fine stuff gets blocked to quickly) held together with a long ty-wrap. You can then use the ty-wrap to pull the pads out...........easy-peesy!!!

PS.....the ty-wrap goes through 2 small holes I made near the centre of the pads.

LittleJester · 02-11-2009, 01:29 PM

The ty-wrap idea sounds great. I was thinking of heavy thread but I like your idea better. How far down do you put it.

Whipitup · 02-11-2009, 03:29 PM

On top of the Skimmer pump.

Whipitup · 02-11-2009, 03:40 PM

With micro bubbles, not many and not from the skimmer (it's turned off during the day).

They are coming from both pumps. One of the pumps is new, they other to be replaced when a replacement impeller arrives.

Every now and again (could be two minutes, it could be ten seconds) both pumps squirt out micro bubbles and it makes the tank look dirty (as if there are particles flying around), and it's driving me bloody daft.

The skimmer is off, I have an inch or so deep coarse foam and fine filter pad over the skimmer pump, I also have some LR rubble under the pumps.

There is no Carbon, Bio Balls or any other media in rear chambers.

The pumps have had the extension pipe mod done, and early this morning I removed one of the pumps and sealed the underside with Aquarium Sealant.......guess what, it still blows out bubbles. I can see into the rear chambers and nothing is restricting the flow, and you can see the water level up to the top of the pumps.

So this afternoon I knocked this up:

If I cant get this bubble problem sorted I'm gonna stick a MJ1200 on the single end, and the 2 outlets are a tight push fit onto the standard RSM directional outlets.

Anyone any idea whats causing the bloody bubbles from hell???

Reefmack · 02-11-2009, 09:35 PM

Try sealing the top cracks maybe? The tubing mod looks similar to one mbdave came up with. Great minds think alike? Are you sure it's not too wide to fit into the skinny chamber of death?

Whipitup · 02-11-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefmack

Try sealing the top cracks maybe? The tubing mod looks similar to one mbdave came up with. Great minds think alike? Are you sure it's not too wide to fit into the skinny chamber of death?

I had a good luck at the pump I took out this morning. The Black top just clips off, and inside it's completely sealed with resin, so no way is air getting in that way.

With regard fitting it the "chamber of death" (and why is it called that?) it's very flexible, so it shouldn't be a problem.

TBH, I'd rather sort out whats causing the problem, but I've run out of ideas.

And..........the ideas not all mine, I had read of mbdave's idea, just not seen it.

Whipitup · 02-11-2009, 09:44 PM

Could the bubbles be caused by cavitation within the pump it's self?

Reefmack · 02-11-2009, 10:10 PM

Chamber of death - just an affectionate term that was coined a long time ago by one us who has big hands that barely get down that chamber.

Could be cavitation, but how would that be fixed? Do what I did for ages - get used to seeing spurts of bubbles once in a while. Learn to sing 'Tiny Bubbles" too.

Whipitup · 02-11-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefmack

Could be cavitation, but how would that be fixed?

I guess it cant, I really don't want to spend money modding the tank if it's fixable, I also really, really don't like the micro bubbles.

Whipitup · 02-11-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefmack

Do what I did for ages - get used to seeing spurts of bubbles once in a while.

You too??

Reefmack · 02-12-2009, 07:52 PM

Yep, I even had (less and also less frequent) spurts with the Remora skimmer - probably due to the bubbles caused by the water splashing into the back from the skimmer lip. Now with the overflow and sump/fuge I'm bubble free. It only took 20 months, but they really didn't bother me when I had them - I guess I just got used to seeing a few.

mzreenie · 02-13-2009, 06:29 PM

I am going bonkers with bubbles!!! As you know, one of my pumps went berserk and was producing constant bubbles, not just a periodic burst. It stresses the fish so I turned off that pump and Pinky sent me a new one. This whole time that the one pump was turned off, I had NO bubbles from the remaining pump. As soon as I hooked up the new pump, I have periodic large bursts of bubbles from BOTH pumps. Why did I not have any bubbles from the single pump the entire time that one was turned off? It seems that you can run one pump with no bubbles, but as soon as you try to run two of them, they BOTH send out bubbles. My husband had the idea that we extend the intake tube on one of the pumps so that they are not competing against each other at the same water level. We have a busy weekend coming up, but as soon as we have time we are going to add some tubing to the intake of one of the pumps and see if it makes any difference. I'll let you know, in the meantime my corals are not that happy with the lower flow in the tank.

02-11-2009, 09:27 AM	#46 (permalink)
Reefmack NaClH2O Addicted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 6,157 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Microbubbles in your RSM? Check here! LittleJester - give the skimmer a few days, or a week or more, to break in, and the microbubbles should decrease. A new skimmer in a new system typically generates bubbles until the manufacturing oils & residues are removed after a period of time. This happens with probably all skimmers, not just the RSM skimmer. I had it happen with both my Remora and the Tunze skimmers till they ran for a while. As your bio-load increases that will also help. With little bio-load there's not much to make firm bubbles and the bubbles exit the skimmer. __________________ aka Terry Excellence in reefkeeping is achieved by mastering the fundamentals, and learning from mistakes. No such thing as an evil crab. Only humans have the ability to be evil. "If you don't like what your fellow forum neighbors are doing, then don't pay so much attention to them" 34g Red Sea Max 130 (April 07), ~50-60 lbs. live rock, Aragonite substrate. Lighting: Current USA Outer Orbit Pro - 150W HQI, 2 x 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI, 2 x 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UVL, Vortech MP20, LifeReef RSM Siphon, EShopps RS-75 Sump, Euro-Reef custom sump skimmer, Simplicity media reactor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, ReefKeeper Lite L3 controller Reefmack's RSM 130 and...Red Sea Max Owners Club and My JBJ 6G in this thread[/color][/i]

02-11-2009, 09:43 AM	#47 (permalink)
LittleJester Bryozoan Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wakefiled, MA Posts: 45 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Microbubbles in your RSM? Check here! I understand all you mentioned. Thanks, What's your thoughts on the sponge? I have also heard that one should cut it and only use half of it.

02-11-2009, 12:00 PM	#48 (permalink)
Reefmack NaClH2O Addicted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 6,157 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Microbubbles in your RSM? Check here! LittleJester - I ended up with a slice of the sponge about 1 inch thick, and a filter pad on top (model 130). I agree - It is a good reach down to remove them for cleaning/replacing. Not all parts of this hobby are fun. __________________ aka Terry Excellence in reefkeeping is achieved by mastering the fundamentals, and learning from mistakes. No such thing as an evil crab. Only humans have the ability to be evil. "If you don't like what your fellow forum neighbors are doing, then don't pay so much attention to them" 34g Red Sea Max 130 (April 07), ~50-60 lbs. live rock, Aragonite substrate. Lighting: Current USA Outer Orbit Pro - 150W HQI, 2 x 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI, 2 x 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UVL, Vortech MP20, LifeReef RSM Siphon, EShopps RS-75 Sump, Euro-Reef custom sump skimmer, Simplicity media reactor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, ReefKeeper Lite L3 controller Reefmack's RSM 130 and...Red Sea Max Owners Club and My JBJ 6G in this thread[/color][/i]

02-11-2009, 12:13 PM	#49 (permalink)
Whipitup Scopas Tang Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 450 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Microbubbles in your RSM? Check here! Course foam an inch think on top of fine filter foam (or the fine stuff gets blocked to quickly) held together with a long ty-wrap. You can then use the ty-wrap to pull the pads out...........easy-peesy!!! PS.....the ty-wrap goes through 2 small holes I made near the centre of the pads. __________________ I hope this doesn't go horribly wrong

02-11-2009, 01:29 PM	#50 (permalink)
LittleJester Bryozoan Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wakefiled, MA Posts: 45 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Microbubbles in your RSM? Check here! The ty-wrap idea sounds great. I was thinking of heavy thread but I like your idea better. How far down do you put it.

02-11-2009, 03:29 PM	#51 (permalink)
Whipitup Scopas Tang Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 450 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Microbubbles in your RSM? Check here! On top of the Skimmer pump. __________________ I hope this doesn't go horribly wrong

02-11-2009, 03:40 PM	#52 (permalink)
Whipitup Scopas Tang Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 450 View Gallery Karma Komment	At my wits end!!!! With micro bubbles, not many and not from the skimmer (it's turned off during the day). They are coming from both pumps. One of the pumps is new, they other to be replaced when a replacement impeller arrives. Every now and again (could be two minutes, it could be ten seconds) both pumps squirt out micro bubbles and it makes the tank look dirty (as if there are particles flying around), and it's driving me bloody daft. The skimmer is off, I have an inch or so deep coarse foam and fine filter pad over the skimmer pump, I also have some LR rubble under the pumps. There is no Carbon, Bio Balls or any other media in rear chambers. The pumps have had the extension pipe mod done, and early this morning I removed one of the pumps and sealed the underside with Aquarium Sealant.......guess what, it still blows out bubbles. I can see into the rear chambers and nothing is restricting the flow, and you can see the water level up to the top of the pumps. So this afternoon I knocked this up: If I cant get this bubble problem sorted I'm gonna stick a MJ1200 on the single end, and the 2 outlets are a tight push fit onto the standard RSM directional outlets. Anyone any idea whats causing the bloody bubbles from hell??? __________________ I hope this doesn't go horribly wrong

02-11-2009, 09:35 PM	#53 (permalink)
Reefmack NaClH2O Addicted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 6,157 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Microbubbles in your RSM? Check here! Try sealing the top cracks maybe? The tubing mod looks similar to one mbdave came up with. Great minds think alike? Are you sure it's not too wide to fit into the skinny chamber of death? __________________ aka Terry Excellence in reefkeeping is achieved by mastering the fundamentals, and learning from mistakes. No such thing as an evil crab. Only humans have the ability to be evil. "If you don't like what your fellow forum neighbors are doing, then don't pay so much attention to them" 34g Red Sea Max 130 (April 07), ~50-60 lbs. live rock, Aragonite substrate. Lighting: Current USA Outer Orbit Pro - 150W HQI, 2 x 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI, 2 x 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UVL, Vortech MP20, LifeReef RSM Siphon, EShopps RS-75 Sump, Euro-Reef custom sump skimmer, Simplicity media reactor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, ReefKeeper Lite L3 controller Reefmack's RSM 130 and...Red Sea Max Owners Club and My JBJ 6G in this thread[/color][/i]

02-11-2009, 09:44 PM	#55 (permalink)
Whipitup Scopas Tang Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 450 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Microbubbles in your RSM? Check here! Could the bubbles be caused by cavitation within the pump it's self? __________________ I hope this doesn't go horribly wrong

02-11-2009, 10:10 PM	#56 (permalink)
Reefmack NaClH2O Addicted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 6,157 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Microbubbles in your RSM? Check here! Chamber of death - just an affectionate term that was coined a long time ago by one us who has big hands that barely get down that chamber. Could be cavitation, but how would that be fixed? Do what I did for ages - get used to seeing spurts of bubbles once in a while. Learn to sing 'Tiny Bubbles" too. __________________ aka Terry Excellence in reefkeeping is achieved by mastering the fundamentals, and learning from mistakes. No such thing as an evil crab. Only humans have the ability to be evil. "If you don't like what your fellow forum neighbors are doing, then don't pay so much attention to them" 34g Red Sea Max 130 (April 07), ~50-60 lbs. live rock, Aragonite substrate. Lighting: Current USA Outer Orbit Pro - 150W HQI, 2 x 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI, 2 x 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UVL, Vortech MP20, LifeReef RSM Siphon, EShopps RS-75 Sump, Euro-Reef custom sump skimmer, Simplicity media reactor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, ReefKeeper Lite L3 controller Reefmack's RSM 130 and...Red Sea Max Owners Club and My JBJ 6G in this thread[/color][/i]

02-12-2009, 07:52 PM	#59 (permalink)
Reefmack NaClH2O Addicted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 6,157 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Microbubbles in your RSM? Check here! Yep, I even had (less and also less frequent) spurts with the Remora skimmer - probably due to the bubbles caused by the water splashing into the back from the skimmer lip. Now with the overflow and sump/fuge I'm bubble free. It only took 20 months, but they really didn't bother me when I had them - I guess I just got used to seeing a few. __________________ aka Terry Excellence in reefkeeping is achieved by mastering the fundamentals, and learning from mistakes. No such thing as an evil crab. Only humans have the ability to be evil. "If you don't like what your fellow forum neighbors are doing, then don't pay so much attention to them" 34g Red Sea Max 130 (April 07), ~50-60 lbs. live rock, Aragonite substrate. Lighting: Current USA Outer Orbit Pro - 150W HQI, 2 x 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI, 2 x 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UVL, Vortech MP20, LifeReef RSM Siphon, EShopps RS-75 Sump, Euro-Reef custom sump skimmer, Simplicity media reactor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, ReefKeeper Lite L3 controller Reefmack's RSM 130 and...Red Sea Max Owners Club and My JBJ 6G in this thread[/color][/i]

02-13-2009, 06:29 PM	#60 (permalink)
mzreenie Cabbage Leather Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 356 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Microbubbles in your RSM? Check here! I am going bonkers with bubbles!!! As you know, one of my pumps went berserk and was producing constant bubbles, not just a periodic burst. It stresses the fish so I turned off that pump and Pinky sent me a new one. This whole time that the one pump was turned off, I had NO bubbles from the remaining pump. As soon as I hooked up the new pump, I have periodic large bursts of bubbles from BOTH pumps. Why did I not have any bubbles from the single pump the entire time that one was turned off? It seems that you can run one pump with no bubbles, but as soon as you try to run two of them, they BOTH send out bubbles. My husband had the idea that we extend the intake tube on one of the pumps so that they are not competing against each other at the same water level. We have a busy weekend coming up, but as soon as we have time we are going to add some tubing to the intake of one of the pumps and see if it makes any difference. I'll let you know, in the meantime my corals are not that happy with the lower flow in the tank.

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