PS4 Making Micro Bubbles

[rjengen]

So, I have 2 PS4's and one of them is giving me grief. In the start both were making a large amount of air bubbles, I tore them both down though and now it's only my return pump. I know it's sucking air on the suction side, cause I can hear it. I have pulled the pump apart, cleaned it right out, changed the oring seal, put it back together, replaced the suction plumbing, used the liquid teflon, and even changed the sump bulkhead out in an effort to get it to stop. As far as I can tell, I've done everything but I figured I would ask you all...and no they are not comming from the sump...I thought that myself so I tore out the bubble trap and am running socks on the main return, and the skimmer return...it actually got slightly better believe it or not...anyways...any idea's? I may just end up using this pump for my water station and buying a new one.

[Myka]

This is interesting, my PS3 just started doing this. Mine dosen't do it constantly though. Just slurps every once in awhile, but it's not sucking at from the intake in the sump. I haven't really looked at it yet, but if I find anything out I will let you know!

[abcha0s]

I have 3 Poseidon PS4 pumps and I am currently fighting a battle with micro bubbles.

1 PS4 for sump return
2 PS4s for closed loops

I do not believe this has anything to do with my skimmer. Simply put - when I turn off the skimmer, nothing changes.

I have managed to make some improvements, but have not solved the problem yet.

I have taken all of the 90 degree elbows out of my plumbing. I had to leave one 45 about 10 inches before entering the display tank.

Originally, I had not used an o-ring lubricant. I opened all of the PVC couplers and used a Silicone lube. (no comments about algae - that's just silly)

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...t_ID=uv-papsil

I broke down the pump, cleaned it with vinigar and also lubed the pump o-ring.

I used an aquarium safe glue and went all around the outside of all PVC joints. I have heard that they can suck air in through micro fractures in the PVC cement but will not leak.

Tighten all couplers with a pipe wrench. Obviously not so tight that something might break.

Using my return pump as an example, the pump is now about 6 inches from the water source through a straight 1" PVC pipe. On the outflow side, it is a straight run to a 45 degree elbow and then straight into the tank. I still have micro bubbles?!

I have heard other people state that this is a design flaw with the PS4 pump and that it is impossible to stop it from caviating. I am still hopeful to find a solution

I have learned some things in researching this problem that unfortunately I can't fix.

* Always use primer when working with PVC. I didn't use it and now regret not taking the extra time.
* Use 1.5 times the diameter for any plumbing on the intake. For a PS4 with 1" intake, you really should use 1.5" plumbing. Any restriction at all can cause problems.


Any more suggestions? - Please help!

[Carmen]

You guys have me totally bummed! I had hoped that my PS4 just needed to break in...then thought I would empty the sump, clean the pump, put in some 45's to replace the 90 and hope that would fix it! But according to you...it's a whole lot of work for nothing!....
Perhaps I should just look for a new return pump???????????

[abcha0s]

While somewhat off topic, I will add that there is a solution to the heat problem that is associated with the Poseidon pumps. It is generally accepted that each pump adds between 4 and 6 degrees F. I have 3 of these pumps, so that's a lot of extra heat in my tank. As a result, I have been evaporating a lot of water which is causing humidity issues in my house.

The trick is to take the heat away from the pump before it can transfer to the water. If you put your hand on the pump, you can feel that it runs hot. It is basically acting as an in-line heater.

The simpliest solution would be to direct a fan at the pump. For most people this would probably work well enough, but I don't like the noise and dont really have the space. I also think that there is a more effective solution.

Instead, what I am in the process of setting up is a system similar to water cooling for PCs. It basically consists of a radiator and fan to disapaite the heat. A pump to circulate the coolant, and a heat sink for each pump. All of the parts are available for PC cooling except the heat sink for the pumps.

For the heat sink, I am going to use the copper tubing used to provide water to refrigerator ice cube makers. Available at home depot. My plan is to heat the tubing so that it expands (a little) and then wrap it around the pump in a continuous loop (probably 10 times). My three pumps can then be connected in a loop and the heat can be taken out before it transfers to the water.

One final consideration - at night, I actually like the heat that these pumps generate. It basically means that I never have to run my heater. What I will do is attach the radiator fan to my Aqua Controller and use a temperature condition to turn the fan on and off based on the tank water temperature.

The best of everything - except the dam micro bubbles. If I can't solve that problem, then I won't recommend these pumps to anyone.

[rjengen]

I hate to bum you out Carmen...they really are a great pump, but mine are out of my system now. I'm going to be using one on my water change station, and my second one will be going up for sale fairly soon. I've tried everything posted on here to no avail!

[Carmen]

Originally Posted by rjengen

I hate to bum you out Carmen...they really are a great pump, but mine are out of my system now. I'm going to be using one on my water change station, and my second one will be going up for sale fairly soon. I've tried everything posted on here to no avail!

So did the microbubbles completely disappear with a new pump? What did you replace it with? And did you alter the plumbing at all when you changed it out?