I checked the prime valve and no air in the system. Why is it my overflow is releasing millions of microbubbles into my sump? They are so small they are even making it through my bubble trap. Any ideals? Thanks
what is making my diy pvc overflow release microbubbles?
- Thread starter salteedogg
- Start date
just been reading a thread and chompers mentioned something about gases being released, give him a shout
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=307589
thats thread i was reading
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=307589
thats thread i was reading
Is there a cyclone feeding air into the overflow? This can obviously be a source of air into the overflow...
Does the pipe from the tank to the sump extend below the water surface in the sump? If not when the water breaks the surface it can pull air down with it...
Does the pipe from the tank to the sump extend below the water surface in the sump? If not when the water breaks the surface it can pull air down with it...
looks like I have a little cyclone but I can't hear any air? I have a 90 degree elbow halfway in the water when its release in the sump. Do the outflow pipe need to be submerged or 50/50 like I have? The reason I didnt submerge it is because I heard that it can sometimes cause back pressure and not feed right. I do have a bubble trap with a filter media stuck in it and the bubbles STILL come through.
salteedogg;3908596; said:
If the water is twirling to the point of sucking even the tiniest amonut of air, this could be the cause of your microbubbles...
But if the water is simple 'swirling' at your overflow but absolutely no air is entering the overflow, this is not the source of the micro bubbles...
But just because you don't hear air 'slurping', doesn't mean a tiny little bit isn't getting in at this point...
salteedogg;3908596; said:
The pipe from the tank to the sump doesn't "need" to be fully submerged, but having water 'fall' into the sump can/will take air down with it often resulting in bubbles...
salteedogg;3908596; said:
I do see having the end of the pipe from the tank to the sump submerged can "trap air" in the line. While this typically wouldn't prevent the filter from restarting properly, I wouldn't want to make specific suggestions without knowing a lot more about your system...
Are the micro bubbles a "problem" or just something you didn't expect and would rather not see. Are they being pulled back into your tank?
Sending Micro bubbles into the bio media will theoretically increase the oxygen supplied to the bacteria living there thus ultimeately serving the same function as a wet/dry...
If the bubbles are not interupting flow patterns in the sump and are not makign it back into the display tank, I wouldn't worry about it. But if they are a problem, determining where the air is coming from is the first step.
It's possible the overflow is sucking a bit of air, you'll have to closely monitor and see...
Submerging the end of the pipe from the tank to the sump may also resolve the issue. Just be sure to stop and restart your sump pump a few times when you first do this to ensure it doesn't negatively affect flow patterns.