particles

chrismcqueen · #1 12/21/2007, 08:49 PM

in my 265 reef tank i have really small particles every where. it could be microbubbles i guess but it looks just like a whole bunch of dandruff in my tank. the average joe wouldnt notice it but we know how we are. just wondering what it could be and how to get rid of it. my tank is drilled with two mega flow stage three sumps, protein skimmer coralife, uv sterilizer coralife x18 twist. advice on how to get rid of this would be greatly appricated.

stingythingy45 · #2 12/21/2007, 09:16 PM

Whoa,you have a 265 gallon tank and you're new to the hobby?
My guess would be that you have air entering one of the return lines or pumps.It's acting like a venturi and dragging air in along with the water.
If you shut the system down do you notice any leaks?
Can you run each component seperately to see where the problem might be?
Is it quiet enough to possibly hear a sucking sound around your plumbing?

Really just running through some things to look for.
Hope this might help a little.

swisha · #3 12/21/2007, 09:57 PM

I agree with stingythingy. Those small 'particles' are more than likely air bubbles coming from your return. How big is your sump? How are the baffles positioned? Are you using a filter sock?

chrismcqueen · #4 12/21/2007, 10:09 PM

not using a filter sock, dont know what baffles are. if i turn my system off there are no leaks. sump size i am not sure of size here are the dim. 25 * 14* 17 and there are twon of them. i have 2 mag 9 pumping water back to the tank in the sump. now in my return are siphon breaks that normally spit water i have a filter blocking that so it doesnt spit. i have siphon break on the overflow tube up top of the tubes. and on the return on the return tube the breaks are on the inside of the elbow cut at an angle.

chrismcqueen · #5 12/21/2007, 10:14 PM

could my water flow back to the tank with the two mag 9 be too much water. it has about a 5 foot head pump has to pump water up 5 feet before going into the tank.

S_Stoney_S · #6 12/21/2007, 10:54 PM

as long as there is water for the pumps to return back up the flow shouldnt be a concern. As above check for air leaks or a load of micro bubbles getting to the return pumps from the skimmer.

Is your return pump chamber/s bubbley?