Help! BUBBLES

[lifeform]

Hi, I have alot of bubbles exiting the drain line into the sump/fuge which results in bubbles in the display tank. I have a 120 gallon tank with a center overflow, the drain line under the display tank is 1 1/2 pipe, there are two Quietone 6000 return pumps. Just above the return pumps on the return lines are two ball valves and on the 1 1/2" drain line there is a ball valve. If I partially close the drain line ball valve will this eliminate the excess bubbles? If I partially close any of the ball valve will I have a flood or will the pumps be damaged or caused the lines to burst? I purchased this tank used and the excess bubbles seem to be the only problem. I would rather not use filter socks or foam because of the build up of nitrates. Thank You

 

[Anonymous]

I would try to diffuse the bubble in the sump, at the point where the drain lines hit the water. Try adding some 90 degree fittings, turned sideways. That should soften the blow.

It looks like you have some baffles. I am surprised that that's not helping.

Louey

 

[mr_X]

a filter sock won't hurt if you rinse it out every so often.

 

[Anonymous]

You're getting bubbles in your drain, because there is air mixed with water, you can't do anything to fix this. You're probably getting air later on in your sump due to high velocity water spilling off a baffle into another pool of water and air is yanked under as well. Your skimmer might be putting a buttload of microbubbles into the sump as well.

So I would double check where the bubbles are really coming from, looking at your setup I would doubt it's all from the drain return making it to your pumps. My guess, is that last set of baffles.

Don't want a filter sock? (I really love these guys now, recent convert I just add rinsing it out to my weekly maintainance schedule), try watching how the bubbles get into the pumps, then build a little acrylic shield you can hot glue to the return pumps or something.

 

[pcardone]

raise your protein skimmer a couple inches or lower your water level . The top of your skimmer looks wet.

 

[Len]

:welcome:

You can partially choke down your drain valve. I do it without any problems (never clogs), but be sure you watch the water level in your overflow over the first 24 hours. Ball valves are tricky to fine tune, but you can do it. Gate valves are more precise. Adjust it so the water level in your overflow fully submerges the downpipe's inlet. Try to reduce cascading water as well. If you are using a durso standpipe, close the air inlet completely.

Reducing the air being sucked in to the drain pipe can get rid of a lot of bubbles.