Mega-bubbles from sump

ssavader · 06/19/2018, 04:37 PM

I have been battling bubble production from my sump/plumbing that I haven't had in the past. My tank is filled with thousands and thousands of micro-bubbles. I've rebuilt the out flow plumbing from the main pump to the tank and still this has not resolved. I have sealed with water-proof tape and hot glue all of the joints on the inflow side from the sump to the main pump and still no luck.

Does anyone know how to locate the air leak that I have? It must be on the inflow side (low pressure side), because if it was on the outflow side (high- pressure) then water would be leaking (instead of air being sucked in).

Thank you.

lapin · 06/19/2018, 05:18 PM

If you are sure its a leak and nothing else, you could try food coloring on all the joints until you find the one thats leaking. Start near the end and work back. Clean off the tested joint before moving to the next joint.

mcgyvr · 06/19/2018, 05:29 PM

So you have an external pump?...can you show pictures of the plumbing so we can see if it may be cavitating from improper inlet setup.....
Are you sure the bubbles arent coming from the sump itself(skimmer,etc...)?

Alfrareef · 06/19/2018, 05:40 PM

If you don’t have bubbles at the sump and a hole in the pipes it must be cavitation... I would suggest some pics

ssavader · 06/21/2018, 06:21 PM

Test

ssavader · 06/21/2018, 06:22 PM

https://imgur.com/2q583Tu

ssavader · 06/21/2018, 06:23 PM

Now that i've partially figured out Imgur, I'll post some plumbing pics.

06/19/2018, 04:37 PM	#1
ssavader Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Carmel, IN (Indianapolis suburb) Posts: 953	Mega-bubbles from sump I have been battling bubble production from my sump/plumbing that I haven't had in the past. My tank is filled with thousands and thousands of micro-bubbles. I've rebuilt the out flow plumbing from the main pump to the tank and still this has not resolved. I have sealed with water-proof tape and hot glue all of the joints on the inflow side from the sump to the main pump and still no luck. Does anyone know how to locate the air leak that I have? It must be on the inflow side (low pressure side), because if it was on the outflow side (high- pressure) then water would be leaking (instead of air being sucked in). Thank you. __________________ Scott

06/19/2018, 05:18 PM	#2
lapin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 801	If you are sure its a leak and nothing else, you could try food coloring on all the joints until you find the one thats leaking. Start near the end and work back. Clean off the tested joint before moving to the next joint. __________________ Tank sizes, 2-10's a 55 and one that's about 500gal Current Tank Info: Interior decorating happening

06/19/2018, 05:29 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	So you have an external pump?...can you show pictures of the plumbing so we can see if it may be cavitating from improper inlet setup..... Are you sure the bubbles arent coming from the sump itself(skimmer,etc...)? __________________ Who me?

06/21/2018, 06:21 PM	#5
ssavader Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Carmel, IN (Indianapolis suburb) Posts: 953	Test __________________ Scott

06/21/2018, 06:22 PM	#6
ssavader Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Carmel, IN (Indianapolis suburb) Posts: 953	https://imgur.com/2q583Tu __________________ Scott

06/19/2018, 05:40 PM	#4
Alfrareef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portugal Posts: 405	If you don’t have bubbles at the sump and a hole in the pipes it must be cavitation... I would suggest some pics

06/21/2018, 06:23 PM	#7
ssavader Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Carmel, IN (Indianapolis suburb) Posts: 953	Now that i've partially figured out Imgur, I'll post some plumbing pics. __________________ Scott