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:



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