Hate microbubbles? So do I...

SaltFreek · 11/07/2009, 12:56 AM

Wow, I've never been so frustrated. So I set up a new 60 cube about a month ago, and haven't been able to solve this yet. I've narrowed it down to my return pump. I unplugged everything else (skimmer, koralias, etc), and microbubbles spurt out of the return into the tank about once or twice a minute. There is no sump, except the built in chamber in the back (like an aquapod, biocube, all-in-ones etc.) All plumbing is underwater, and I've cleaned the pump and made sure all the fittings were tight. I'm using a Quiet One 1200 pump. Any ideas before I go punch something?

Thanks,
-SF

rbnice1 · 11/07/2009, 01:50 AM

Post some pics.

How deep is your return pump? Sounds like the pump is creating a syphon and sucking air occasionally.

Kinetic · 11/07/2009, 01:53 AM

also try a sponge on the return pump intake? might restrict flow, but it would help.

SaltFreek · 11/07/2009, 02:24 AM

Well, the tank is a 24" cube and it's all the way at the bottom. I checked to make sure the bulkhead was tight as well. I'm just thinking it's a bad pump

Sorry about the distorted pic:

Moebuis · 11/07/2009, 02:26 AM

Make sure the intake for the pump is not being restricted. It looks like from the picture that it is right up against the glass which may restrict the intake. This can create what is known as cavitation.

scottwhitson · 11/07/2009, 02:30 AM

If the pump is submerged then it can't be the pumps fault unless there is too much of a restriction on the suction end causing cavitation, still not the pumps deal. If the pump isn't submerged then what size of suction line is feeding it?

scottwhitson · 11/07/2009, 02:31 AM

Moebuis beat me to it. Typing on a phone isn't easy.

SaltFreek · 11/07/2009, 03:50 AM

Cavitation occurs on such a small scale? It's a fairly small pump. I'll double check and adjust if needed. Thank you.

11/07/2009, 12:56 AM	#1
SaltFreek Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 200	Hate microbubbles? So do I... Wow, I've never been so frustrated. So I set up a new 60 cube about a month ago, and haven't been able to solve this yet. I've narrowed it down to my return pump. I unplugged everything else (skimmer, koralias, etc), and microbubbles spurt out of the return into the tank about once or twice a minute. There is no sump, except the built in chamber in the back (like an aquapod, biocube, all-in-ones etc.) All plumbing is underwater, and I've cleaned the pump and made sure all the fittings were tight. I'm using a Quiet One 1200 pump. Any ideas before I go punch something? Thanks, -SF

11/07/2009, 01:50 AM	#2
rbnice1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 2,286	Post some pics. How deep is your return pump? Sounds like the pump is creating a syphon and sucking air occasionally. __________________ Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers! Current Tank Info: 29 gallon softy tank and 155gallon SPS tank

11/07/2009, 01:53 AM	#3
Kinetic Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,138	also try a sponge on the return pump intake? might restrict flow, but it would help.

11/07/2009, 02:24 AM	#4
SaltFreek Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 200	Well, the tank is a 24" cube and it's all the way at the bottom. I checked to make sure the bulkhead was tight as well. I'm just thinking it's a bad pump Sorry about the distorted pic:

11/07/2009, 02:26 AM	#5
Moebuis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hamstead, MD Posts: 150	Make sure the intake for the pump is not being restricted. It looks like from the picture that it is right up against the glass which may restrict the intake. This can create what is known as cavitation.

11/07/2009, 02:30 AM	#6
scottwhitson Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lewiston, Idaho Posts: 683	If the pump is submerged then it can't be the pumps fault unless there is too much of a restriction on the suction end causing cavitation, still not the pumps deal. If the pump isn't submerged then what size of suction line is feeding it?

11/07/2009, 02:31 AM	#7
scottwhitson Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lewiston, Idaho Posts: 683	Moebuis beat me to it. Typing on a phone isn't easy.

11/07/2009, 03:50 AM	#8
SaltFreek Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 200	Cavitation occurs on such a small scale? It's a fairly small pump. I'll double check and adjust if needed. Thank you.