Bubbles!!!!!!!

[SLAYCHILD]

Ok guys Im useing a pump that pumps 476gph and im getting a lot of tiny bubbles coming out of my return hose. Its a ProClear 1800. I've turned off my skimmer to see if that was causing it and the bubbles kept coming. So, I went to the ProClear web site and it says that I should be useing the ProClear CAP 2200 to 5000 pump for my system. That is 581gph. Could that be a reason the micro bubbles are coming out? Some one please help. Ive even look at the Flex hose to see if air is getting in and I cant find anything. Thanks

[GaryP]

Could the return pump be picking up the bubbles from the drain hose in the sump? If so, the water is channeling directly from the drain to the return in the sump. I prevent this in my systems by putting a sock filter on the drain hose(s).

Also, let me throw out the obvious, could the level in your sump be to low and the pump is sucking up air?

[hammondegge]

did you recently set up the sump return lines. if so, i understand that it may take a few days for the microbubbles to go away. my experience has been about 24hrs.

[fishcrazy]

I have the same problem! I still haven't gotten ride of the darn bubbles. I have a panworld 100xx. I've tried putting filter around the return pipe, and putting live rock in the area. Nothing has worked. Somehow the pump seems to be creating the bubbles? I have an external pump with the pvc pipe running into the sump (over the edge). I think the air from inside the empty pipe never gets completly primed. If you find a solution let me know.

[GaryP]

If you have PVC quick disconnect unions, go back and use some teflon tape on the threads of the unions. The unions will suck air.

[matt]

Ummmm, I don't think the unions are the issue, otherwise they'd leak. Unions use an o-ring to seal, not teflon tape, unless you're talking about the threaded fittings, and in that case they're just like any other threaded fitting.

Try turning off your return pump for an hour or so, and see if there's a slow leak at any of the pump fittings, pay special attention to the intake. It's possible you could be pulling in a little air, but for sure you'll notice a slow leak at the pump, turned off, if you don't break the siphon for the pump intake over the sump.

Sorry, I was thinking about the pan world set up, if your proclear is submersible then forget that first paragraph. It's probably just bubbles from the drain. Live rock rubble and some well placed baffles should take care of that. Increasing the pump size will probably make it worse. Raising the water level in your sump will help if you can do it; more water in the sump means the water is traveling through the sump more slowly and there's more time for the bubbles to disperse.

[NaCl_H2O]

I don't think it would be the case with that small of a pump, but I have had MAG7s cavitate horribly. Is the pump running quietly, or does it sould like it has a few small rocks rattling around in it?

[GaryP]

I had exactly the same problem with quick connect unions on the suction side of my Pan World. It was sucking air and I had bubbles. When I added the teflon tape it stopped.

[matt]

Gary, you added tape on the threaded connections, right? You didn't put tape in the union joint itself? All PVC threaded connections need teflon tape. Actually, I think there's a liquid product to coat threads as well, but I've never used it. My point is, that there's nothing special about unions and tape, the tape is needed on any threaded connection.

[GaryP]

Matt,

My point was that without the teflon tape the union leaked air in, but not water out. It works just like a venturi on the suction side. I realized my error after I hooked it up. I don't know if other people using PVC connections would. This is one of those. "learn from my stupid mistake" type of things. The unions don't come with instructions for people that aren't familiar with working with them.

[Shark_Bait]

There is a big difference between water tight and air tight. The tape makes up the difference on the threads.

[SLAYCHILD]

Well guys. Im useing a Proclear Wet/dry SL60. Here's the link. http://www.proclearaquatics.com/wetdry.html It's the first one on top. My pump sits inside the sump of it on the right side. I also have another pump next to it pumping water to my Fuge. I have a skimmer that sits inside the sump, but ive turn off my skimmer to see if it was the cause of it and they still kept coming out. I did change the hose from the pump to the tank and it's been 4 days and it hasnt cleared up. My return from my fuge is PVC that drains in my sump. Could that be the issue? I have the water level almost 2 inches high the the factory water line Proclear put on it. Someone please help these bubbles look very ugly and it bother the hell out of me, LOL

[TroyPham]

I have the same problem! I still haven't gotten ride of the darn bubbles. I have a panworld 100xx. I've tried putting filter around the return pipe, and putting live rock in the area. Nothing has worked. Somehow the pump seems to be creating the bubbles? I have an external pump with the pvc pipe running into the sump (over the edge). I think the air from inside the empty pipe never gets completly primed. If you find a solution let me know.

the panword pumps can pull air in around the pump casing. check the screws on the impellor housing. if not take the pump back to where u got it and exchange. thats the only flaw i've seen in these pumps.

[GaryP]

I hadn't thought of that. Good catch Troy. It has an O-ring that seats on the outside of the pump impellor housing. If that O-ring is kinked or not seated correctly it could pull air.

[Thunderkat]

You could also put the return line to pump to a higher point to increase backpressure and that will reduce the bubbles (but also flow will be reduced).

[SLAYCHILD]

Ok that dont help me........

[NaCl_H2O]

Try to eliminate sources of the problem one at a time.
1) Skimmer - you said you already turned it off and still had bubbles. Make sure it's off for at least 30 mins (60 is better) before you declare "I Still Have Bubbles :angry"
2) Turn off the pump to the fuge and see if they go away
3) Get a large (long) tub as a test sump. Put the drain from the tank at one end, the pump at the opposite, and some filter floss between the two. If bubbles are trapped in the water from your return, this should reduce them.

If none of these decrease bubbles, you either have air being sucked into a water line, or the pump's impeller is cavetating

[SLAYCHILD]

Thank you. That helps me out alot. Your great.....

[fishcrazy]

I have thread tape on all the threaded connections and and the rest are air tight from glueing, I have actually taken off the casing thinking that was the problem, looked at it and put it back on...tight! But I don't remember an o-ring?? I have also back flowed it by shutting off the pump and letting it ciphin back into the sump, to no relief. My water level is about 6-8 inches in the sump, so that couldn't be the problem. I'm at a loss!