micro bubbles in tank

[donduncan]

I am sure that there is some thread here, but I cant find it.
I just recently installed a new sump and re plumed my tank.

I have a bubble tower in my sump. I am having alot of bubbles in my intake and the tower does not seem to help remove them. I now have micro bubbles in my tank.

The intake is several inches below the water line, is this to deep?

I can see micro bubbles in my return chamber, so I know it is not the return pump or return line.

[wkada]

Assuming your sump already has baffles, etc., would consider:

1. putting a filter sock on your drain line (changing/cleaning them is a bit of a pain, however)
2. reducing overall flow through sump to 3-5x tank volume

this was the only way I was able to exterminate microbubbles. I think the drain a few inches below the waterline in the sump in fine, but would be worth experimenting with different lengths.

[Gseclipse02]

what size return pump ??
what size tank ?
is it your skimmer that's letting off the micro bubbles ?? try putting the return of your skimmer on the opposite side of the return pump

[donduncan]

Tank size is 125 with a 1100 gallon per hour return pump. I currently have the pump cut back, but i am thinking of running a T with a valve that dumps back into the sump. Just to not put to much back pressure on the pump.

The skimmer is not the cause of the micro bubbles, its the inlet. There is a lot of air in the inlet water.

The sump is set up so the skimmer is in the inlet section---live rock chamber---return.

[donduncan]

I talked with a LFS and they suggested that I cut the return pump down. I will try this tonight and let you know how it goes.

[jc]

Have you tried putting an downward facing elbow on the return pump inlet? That way it sucks water from the deepest part of your sump. Hopefully since the micro bubbles float upward it will pull less in.