Micro bubbles

[Matt]

A friend has a 46 Gallon bowfront with a small rubbermaid sump. The overflow crashes down a lot of water, which the Rio 17HF returns at full flow. In the small sump, however, this creates tons of bubbles, which the Rio gladly churns into mist and delivers to the display.

I've created some low-rent baffles by putting both the pump and the overflow into plastic bottles with some diffusion, which has helped 80%, but the problem isn't solved by any stretch.

By restricting flow, things can be slowed to the point where the bubbles aren't a problem, but that's not good for the tank or the pump.

Short of a custom sump with proper baffles (possible, but unlikely anytime soon), replacing the entire setup (likely, sometime soon)... anyone have suggestions?

Regards,
Matthew