Tiny Bubble's and not the musical kind

[Pipe]

I am not completely new, but new to this tank and set up.

Tank: 210g AGA
Return Pump: Blueline 40 HDX
Sump: E.T.S.S. ? I think its 70g
Skimmer: Homemade acylic job
Returns: Dual 1"
Supply: 1" out of pump, bullheaded tee to 2 3/4" tubing barbed.

Issue, micro bubbles.

At the first bubble trap I have 1 of those big black sponges, to help block off the trap, or slow it down, also a sponge actually in the trap itself to try and difuse the bubles (Red arrow)

The second trap looks blocked but it is not, just a little sand in the front of the trap.

I have put the sponges in, put socks on the returns (black arrow), and still have the bubbles. I have turned off the skimmer (grey arrow), and the UV Steralizer (green arrow) overnight and no fix.

Pump is not noisy in anyway, and when turned off, doesnt leak anywhere. (blue arrow)

What am I missing? I am aware that the wiring and such looks like crap under the tank, but want to get everything perfect before I tidy up.



I am going to try and remember my photobucket log in to try and post a bigger picture.

[Pipe]

[IMG][/IMG]

[MizTanks]

I was having that issue also but only on a much smaller scale and I was told I'm getting air through a connection. So to fix it I cut a small amount off of each end of the return (which was where I was getting the air from) for a tighter fit. Issue fixed. Check all connections is my first guess.

[rmalone]

Do you have the room to put another "mini sump" between the last chamber of your current sump and your return pump? Preferably with a trap at the inlet and outlet sides. I think your water level is so low, in the sump, that bubbles just don't have a chance to escape before the return pump sends them back to the tank. A slower flow through the sump might also solve the problem.

[Sir Patrick]

How many GPH is your return pump running?

[Pipe]

- Max Discharge (GPH) @ 0ft: 1,270
about 3' of lift.

I checked all the connections, and as it is a drilled tank, there are not really much to check, they are all tight no drips.

I will measure what I have in stock as far as putting a additional sump in Sunday morning, that is a interesting fix, but ill take a look and give it a shot.

Oh and for the record, the drains drop to about 1" above the bottom of the sump.

[Sir Patrick]

I am reletively new to sumps, but-

Maybe the flow rate is sending the bubbles right past you bubble trap? Its possible.

I would wait for a more experienced reefer to come along, but that would be my guess.

[jimsflies]

I can't tell from your photo, but it looks like your bubble trap is missing a baffle. Should flow under, over, then under again before going to the return pump.

[John]

Do you see any bubbles in the sump?

If not, it's not the sump design... but it could be improved like Jim said.



Your arrows are confusing me...
I'm going to assume that the skimmer section is where the tank waster drains into the sump... otherwise you could get microbubbles from the skimmer...

Check the return lines or replace them to see it that will work. I'm thinking cut off about 2" from the end that connects to the opposite side of the return pump.

[rmalone]

On my baffle I go over then under then over to the next chamber so three panels.