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  #1  
Old 01/11/2008, 02:48 PM
rob020880 rob020880 is offline
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Microbubble advice

Hello,

I am having a slight micro bubble problem with my tank. It is not too bad but I want to eliminate them completely. First I will tell you about my setup and it would be great if you found the cause.

The tank is 130 gal. and the sump is an ADHI 30 which I assume is 30 gal. in size. The return pump is a mag drive 9.5 where it is pumping about 4-5 ft of head. I am also using a 100 micron filter sock on the drain. There is also a baffle in the sump and I have this filled with mesh bags of carbon.

My concern is that my return pump may be to strong for the setup and is what is causing the bubbles. What do you think?
  #2  
Old 01/11/2008, 02:52 PM
an411 an411 is offline
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do you have a valve to control the flow after the return pump?
  #3  
Old 01/11/2008, 03:35 PM
fishox fishox is offline
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I was going to suggest the filter sock which worked for me. Since you are already using that check the connections in your return line. You may be drawing air through a bad joint. If you haven't already, run a bead of silicone around each joint that isn't under water. I've had that problem in the past.

I doubt that the problem is that the pump is too strong. As long as you aren't running the sump dry/overflowing the tank the return pump is not too strong.
  #4  
Old 01/11/2008, 03:40 PM
rob020880 rob020880 is offline
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Not drying the sump or overflowing the tank. I do not have a valve on the return line. You think that silicone might solve the problem on the connections? Is there anyway to check if this is happening before actually using the silicone?
  #5  
Old 01/11/2008, 03:42 PM
rob020880 rob020880 is offline
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So you guys don't think that my return pump is too big for the setup? This was my greatest worry since a new one would be expensive.
  #6  
Old 01/11/2008, 03:46 PM
rob020880 rob020880 is offline
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The mag 9.5 I am using puts out 800 gph at 4ft head. I am at about five feet with one 90 deg angle before it hits the tank. So I assume I am at about 700 GPH. The sump is rated by ADHI for 1000 GPH, so I assume I am within the limits for the pump?
  #7  
Old 01/11/2008, 03:53 PM
jubjubrsx jubjubrsx is offline
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wow your using a mag 9.5 for you tank....damn i got that on my 55gallon......i wouldnt worry about your pump being to big.....but if your worried about that you can do what i did just split it off with a ball valve back into your sump.....
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first 55gallon on its way. full of green stuff now
  #8  
Old 01/11/2008, 03:56 PM
rob020880 rob020880 is offline
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Flow is not an issue as i have about 2000gph in the tank, its just the sump turnover that the mag 9.5 controls.
  #9  
Old 01/11/2008, 04:14 PM
an411 an411 is offline
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I don't think so I have an ehiem 1262 rated at 900gph on my 120 in its perfect flow my sump is only 37 gallons also
  #10  
Old 01/11/2008, 04:42 PM
rob020880 rob020880 is offline
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Here is a link to a photo of my sump maybe this will help

http://www.championlighting.com/prod...1&cat=0&page=1

But if its not the pump what could it be? I don't think I have air going in through any of the connections? But who knows and how could I check?
  #11  
Old 01/11/2008, 05:03 PM
an411 an411 is offline
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Any skimmer?
  #12  
Old 01/11/2008, 05:15 PM
rob020880 rob020880 is offline
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Yes, I am using an ati bm200.
  #13  
Old 01/11/2008, 05:30 PM
an411 an411 is offline
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I would check the skimmer before anything I think that is your problem
 

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