I need to get rid of the bubbles...

[Medicaldesires]

Although not new to aquaria, I am very much a beginner to salt water. Recently, I converted my 55g Cichlid tank to salt, the results of which have been fascinating, time and thought consuming.

This past weekend, I converted a disorganised pile of in sump pumps to an in-line system with pvc. In turn, I have a bit too much noise and bubbles coming from the return.

The water level in the sump is fine, its over the level of the return intake. The bubble problem comes from the protein skimmer (Aqua C EV120) return being dumped into the same chamber as both of the intakes.

Without moving the protein skimmer, I want to eliminate or seriously decrease the bubbles. I think this would decrease the noise of pump cavitation and at the same time make my tank look much more appealing.

Suggestions?

[at]

I don't know about your model, but mine has a spnge over the output tube to keep the water from splashing into the sump, and works really good

[JustDavidP]

Most of us use baffles in the sump to make "bubble traps" of sorts to eliminate this problem. Also, does the skimmer just DUMP into the water? If so, it will make even more bubbles. You could modify the output with PVC so the end of it is underwater, therefore reducing the splash -n- bubble issue.

Dave

[Medicaldesires]

Thanks for your input.

No, I have a PVC pipe that runs underneath the waterline. This has helped to reduce noise and some of the bubbles. I have also tried to use a foam mechanical filter covering this PVC tube...to no avail. Maybe the tube is just not far enough under the water. A backup issue could then occur.

No offense, but I dont know what you mean by a baffle. There is little room to further compartmentalize the sump. My next thought was to use a sort of overflow box to catch them and hopefully gently trickle the water back into the flow.

[Fatman]

Thanks for your input.

No, I have a PVC pipe that runs underneath the waterline. This has helped to reduce noise and some of the bubbles. I have also tried to use a foam mechanical filter covering this PVC tube...to no avail. Maybe the tube is just not far enough under the water. A backup issue could then occur.

No offense, but I dont know what you mean by a baffle. There is little room to further compartmentalize the sump. My next thought was to use a sort of overflow box to catch them and hopefully gently trickle the water back into the flow.

What he means by baffles is "sections" in your sump. If you have a standard wet/dry sump you can run the return over the skimmer into the wet/dry ball area by drilling a hole on the side this should reduce your bubbles quite a bit. If not you can try the sponge idea that most skimmers come with.

[hummer]

on my berline clasic it said not to put the returns in the water ..why cant i if it will cutback onthe noise and bubbles?
what would it madderif it was in the water?

[JustDavidP]

Yeah... by baffles, I mean offset sections like seen below here:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/2004_0926Image0071.jpg

The water must traverse over, under, and over again, allowing bubbles to release upwards and water to flow back into the return chamber.

OH...and Hummer.. they may be concerned with back pressure. Personally, I like slower flow through a skimmer, more "contact time" for the water and bubbles. But that's just one hobbyists opinion ;)


Dave

[hummer]

ok so a little is proable ok (onthe skimmer)

[greg97527]

most likely yes hummer. i have mine approx 1/2 inch under water and works great

[hummer]

cool thanks

[Medicaldesires]

I do have a standard Wet/Dry sump. If I had the room to build one like that above, I would be happy as a pig in s---. Unfortunatly I dont, so I will try to add the return over the balls. My only concern then is that there will be too much water flow over them and will therefore reduce their effectiveness.
The bubbles should go away though.

You all have been very helpful in your replies. Thanks.

Do you have any suggestions for a quiet external pump? I was thinking about an Iwaki 30RLT. 510GPH

[iVgOnMaD]

The increased water flow will actually help eliminate dead spots on your bio-balls if thats what you are talking about. Plus the extra oxygen from the bubbles will also help your bacterial colony, so thats not a bad idea at all.
By the way, you should try to replace your bio-balls with some Live Rock Rubble to help your Nitrates low.

[Fatman]

I do have a standard Wet/Dry sump. If I had the room to build one like that above, I would be happy as a pig in s---. Unfortunatly I dont, so I will try to add the return over the balls. My only concern then is that there will be too much water flow over them and will therefore reduce their effectiveness.
The bubbles should go away though.

You all have been very helpful in your replies. Thanks.

Do you have any suggestions for a quiet external pump? I was thinking about an Iwaki 30RLT. 510GPH

The minor extra flow should not affect the bio balls efficiency at all. I prefer MAG drive pumps built tough not sure about quiet.

[Iconz]

Iwaki's are very good pumps. I would just try to get one with a japanese motor. As, they are more durable and efficent.

[Fatman]

Iwaki's are very good pumps. I would just try to get one with a japanese motor. As, they are more durable and efficent.

Iwaki's are awsome but their to expensive for how much flow you get per $$$

http://www.petsolutions.com/Iwaki+Water+Pumps-I-12515469-I-C-49-C-.aspx

You need top of the link Iwaki $299+ for the minimum flow of a 55g
55x40= 22

While a MAG24 can do it for under 200$.

[melev]

Although not new to aquaria, I am very much a beginner to salt water. Recently, I converted my 55g Cichlid tank to salt, the results of which have been fascinating, time and thought consuming.

This past weekend, I converted a disorganised pile of in sump pumps to an in-line system with pvc. In turn, I have a bit too much noise and bubbles coming from the return.

The water level in the sump is fine, its over the level of the return intake. The bubble problem comes from the protein skimmer (Aqua C EV120) return being dumped into the same chamber as both of the intakes.

Without moving the protein skimmer, I want to eliminate or seriously decrease the bubbles. I think this would decrease the noise of pump cavitation and at the same time make my tank look much more appealing.

Suggestions?

Please review this page for a lot of good information.
http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

And just to clarify, there are drain lines (going into the sump) and return lines (going back up to the tank).

There are ways to quiet the drain lines, such as this method:
http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/pvc_cut.jpg
http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/pvc_solution.jpg

You can trap bubbles in a bubble tower. This can be something simple like a 3" diameter PVC pipe standing up in the sump that has a few holes drilled in the base to let water out, and have the drain lines pour into these, or have the skimmer pour into it. Or both if you have the room. If not, you could make a couple of bubble towers.

The flow going through the sump should be very slow. If your tank is 100g, 300 to 500gph is plenty. If you want increased flow in the main tank, use a closed loop, powerheads, stream pumps (Tunze, VorTech, Korallia, MjMods) to keep random flow in the display.