microbubbles with no skimmer

I'm having some issues with microbubbles without even having my skimmer installed yet.

My drains are emptying into clear tubing and I can see all the bubbles coming down the drains (with a slight venturi effect as it's entering the lines) all the way to the sump. In essence, the act of the water spilling over the overflows and down into the sump is churning it up enough that I have a lot of microbubbles in the water by the time it makes it through.

The first chamber of the sump has a bunch of bubbles but they lessen signficantly in the 2nd chamber to the point that you cannot see them unless you're looking for them in the 3rd chamber. However, there are still some there and they end up getting shot up my returns and back into the DT.

Can anyone explain why I am getting this venturi issue in my drains and if there's anything I can do to alleviate it?

 

Do you have a filter sock on the overflow line?

 

Nope, that was going to be my first attempt at solving it but I'd seen enough 'con' posts regarding maintenance with filtersocks that I was going to see if there were ways to re-run the lines or valves to put in them that would do the trick without the possibility of a gummed up filter-sock.

That certainly doesn't appear to be the case, I think I'll just swing by the LFS after work today to take care of it.

Thanks

 

It may be an issue that you're turning the tank too much. Try backing down your return pump and see what happens.

 

You dont nessisarily need a filter sock, but one of those small mesh filter bags will help. They dont collect as much detritus, but can help prevent the bubbles.

 

This won't make an issue with my pump, will it?

I put butterfly valves into my plumbing just in case (moreso so I could control flow if an area of the tank was getting too much movement), but anytime I turn one it really makes the pump sound like it's fighting harder so I've been reluctant to do so on a consistent basis.

I just don't want to burn my pump up if I can avoid it.

Thanks.

 

i set up my fuge yesterday and noticed i have this same problem, i was going to try and make the inlet to the sump flow alittle smoother somehow, either by routing it differant or having it run up against the glass as it enters.

havent even had time to try and fix the situation yet.

 

I ended up using filter floss to great effect.

I used a media bag filled with it and zip-tied it over my drain outlet. Filter-floss is cheap and easy to replace. Further, with the larger wholes in the media bag (as opposed to the filter sock) it shouldn't have nearly as big an issue with clogging.

I then took my remaining filter floss and put it in the bottom of my spillway on top of some LR rubble. That way it will slow down through the filter floss and run a little more slowly over the LR rubble, possibly processing better.

It's made a noticeable difference, though I still may dial down the volume on my returns a little bit.

 

stick the drain hose from the dt into a filter sock. it will filter your water for you and cut down on the microbubbles