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11/03/2009, 03:15 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: nicholasville ky
Posts: 702
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Help... microbubbles in closed loop
I all of a sudden started getting microbubbles in the tank, coming from the closed loop. I am trying to figure out why. I am sure there is air getting in the line somewhere. Can i assume it is on the intake side of the pump? Does anyone know any tricks to make it easier to find the leak or stop the leak?
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11/03/2009, 03:17 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Manalapan NJ
Posts: 751
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What pump are you using?
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Click my super cool username dropdown menu to see my new 90 Gallon In wall Build on my user home page :) Current Tank Info: 90G Twin Vortech charged Reef Fueled by MSX200 |
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11/03/2009, 03:20 PM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: nicholasville ky
Posts: 702
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pan world 150ps
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11/03/2009, 03:24 PM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 189
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I ran a closed loop with a large ikawi pump for a long time and had a similar problem develop. In my case I was running 1 1/2" reinforced tubing on the intake and output sides of the pump. I found that the pump suction was strong enough that over time it separated the layers of the tubing just prior to the intake and significantly restricted it, which resulting in cavitation and masses of micro bubbles in my tank.
I fixed the problem by using hard piping. Some other suggestions though, would be to check all of the seams, double clamp all fittings, glue all hard piping, and make sure the pump is in the lowest point of the loop. IME microbubbles causes by pumps are usually on the intake side and usually a result of not enough pressure (net positive suction head) on the intake side of the pump which causes caviation. Could you give some more info on your specific setup?
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"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." Current Tank Info: 60 gal with seahorses and soft corals with a 30 gal refugium and HUGE mass of chaeto... anyone need some? |
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11/03/2009, 03:39 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: nicholasville ky
Posts: 702
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well it is hard plumbed with spaflex, no tubing. but my pump is no the lowest part of the loop. however i haven't had any trouble until this last week
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11/03/2009, 03:56 PM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 189
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My best guess is that the problem is one of the seals in the hard piping has developed a minor air leak. Those pumps have a pretty high suction on them, perhaps you could try coating all of the joints with a light layor of pipe glue. Alternatively, you could find the specific leak by taking that section of pipe, putting a cap on both ends and pressurizing it, then take some soapy water and spray it on all the joints, it will bubble where the leak is. Keep in mind that the seals on the pump itself are also suspect.
__________________
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." Current Tank Info: 60 gal with seahorses and soft corals with a 30 gal refugium and HUGE mass of chaeto... anyone need some? |
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11/03/2009, 04:11 PM
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#7 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: mundelein, il
Posts: 1,215
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reseal all your connections. and that wshould take care of the problem... it did with mine.
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Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself Current Tank Info: oceanic 7x2x2, 75 gal custom sump/fuge. PM Bullet 2 with hyperflow 32. dart for return. |
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11/03/2009, 04:22 PM
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#8 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: nicholasville ky
Posts: 702
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