Microbubbles

[PeacockBassMan]

I cannot for the life of me figure out why my tank is just inandated with microbubbles. I have checked the filter media, cycled the tank, all water tests are fine....water changes of 20 percent, then 30 percent, then 40 percent to see if the different percentages worked....Im lost.

I am running a canister (405) on top of a wet/dry sump. Am I overcompensating with filtration?

The tanks stock is currently just a 10"-12" Florida Gar

The tank is a 150 gallon with sand substrate and is lightly planted...maybe I should say I have a couple of plants in the tank rather than planted. It is an established tank, but the microbubbles are starting to irritate me after viewing many pictures of beautiful crystal clear water.

 

[tcarswell]

Are you running the fine pads in the fluval ? When did you service it last? Pictures may help too we found a guys micro bubble problem through pics a few days ago.

 

[PeacockBassMan]

I am not running fine pads in the Fluval. I am running biological (scrubbies) and mechanical in the sump with a bag or activated charcoal pre-scrubbie.

 

[deeda]

Do you have an airstone or bubble wand in your tank near to the intake of the Fluval? You might also be picking up micro bubbles from your sump prior to the pump intake. Can you post any pics of these two scenarios?

 

[Mr Pleco]

Does your sump have baffles or a sponge to keep air from being sucked into your pump??

 

[gavigan1]

Possible Pump cavitation? inspect pump impellor and impellor seating. Just replace my mag drive after numerous attempts to repair. The area where the impellor seats began to hollow out.

 

[PeacockBassMan]

I can possibly get some pictures up this afternoon. Thanks for all of the advice. Ill look into the suggestions you all have given thus far.

I do not have a bubble stone near the intake.

 

[zennzzo]

It is a leak on the intake side of the pump/filter... (sucking air)

If it were a leak on the outlet side you'd be seeing water puddles somewhere and no bubbles.

Start by looking at every fitting, break, change in plumbing out of the water on the side that feeds the pump/filter...

You are looking for something that could be the size of a pinhole...

 

[tcarswell]

Possible Pump cavitation? inspect pump impellor and impellor seating. Just replace my mag drive after numerous attempts to repair. The area where the impellor seats began to hollow out.

Pump cavitation does not happen in aquarium pumps lol.

 

[zennzzo]

OP needs to try and switch the hoses on the pump and run the system temporarily...this will make the vaccum leaks, water leaks and easy to see...

Also sometimes if the pump isn't covered with enough water it can suck a bit of air, not enough to loose prime but enough for the impeller to churn the water and air together making zillions of micro bubbles...