micro bubbles

[TheReefGeek]

Are you posative the microbubbles are coming from the skimmer, and not from the water draining into your sump? What is your return pump, and how big is your sump? (I want to calculate the turnover rate in your sump)

[digitalsteve]

i have checked the sump return and everything , the bubbles dissapear if i turn off my skimmer... i have a turnover rate of about 375-400gph roughly 10X the tank volume... it is most defiantely ythe skimmer which is causing the bubbles

[TheReefGeek]

Draining your sump and putting in baffles is the best choice. BUT, thinking outside the box, you might be able to do something else.

What is the output of your skimmer like? What I am thinking is you can modify how/where the output of your skimmer goes to get rid of the microbubbles before they go into your sump at all.

[digitalsteve]

well the skimmer drain out of a pipe into the far end of the sump . the return enters underwater. .. if i changed the pipe to pvc pipe with a few elbows in it would thathelp eliminte the bubbles by slowing the water down?

[Pescador]

You could try draining the skimmer into a piece of PVC 2-3" dia. sitting on end with holes drilled in the side near the bottom. It used to work for me to reduce overflow return bubbles.

[richtg]

I would cut baffles and wrap the 3 sides with foam or filter floss, etc. to wedge them in place. I have done this before, and it works well until the next time you have your sump apart to silicone them. It is also a great way to experiment with the baffle placement.

If you have any eggcrate, you can use it as spacers and glue the 3 baffles together (spaced evenly with the eggcrate spacers) and drop the whole unit into your sump and drop a rock, etc. behind it to stop it from moving.