Plumbing Question (i.e., I am an idiot.)

I am in need of some advice. I built something I thought would work. Guess what happened. Yep, you guessed it. It isn't working.

The system in question is comprised of a 50g DIY acrylic DT, 40g plywood mushroom lagoon, and 80g plywood sump. All of the tanks are 2ft. x 4ft., and vary in height from 8in to 16in. The 3 tanks are connected, with water being pumped from the sump into the DT, which drains into the mushroom tank below, and from there back into the sump below the other two. Plumbing experts can see the problem coming already.

BUBBLES.

No bubbles are present in the DT. And, obviously, I don't care about the bubbles entering the sump. The problem I am having is in the mushroom lagoon. Given that I built the tank for the mushrooms, I simply can't allow this.

With incredible foresight, I saw the problem coming (the prototype didn't work, either). So, I did the following, thinking I would solve my problem (this is one of three pipes which drains into the tank from the DT above):



Okay, so I suck at this game. There are still bubbles. This solution worked in the prototype of this system...why not here? I have no idea. Help.

The obvious question is...How do I stop the bubbles?

No, no, no, a sponge/bubble trap can't be applied here. As this is a low-current tank (mushrooms only), I am using only the "returns" as circulation. Although this is generally advised against, it works well in this instance. I am pushing about 1200gph through the tank, with very little current (creating a viable lagoon). So, I don't want to reduce the amount of current that I do have. I need another solution. Help.

My only idea is to drill a hole in the top of the elbow at the outside/top of the tank, and run an airline to a point above the DT (to allow air to escape and to prevent a syphon). Would I be wasting my time, or would it work?

If you have other ideas, I would love to hear them.

I am anxiously awaiting a solution. Thanks for your time and thoughts. I appreciate it.

 

P.S. The fire hazard will be fixed by the end of the weekend, provided the apartment doesn't burn down in the meantime.

 

As opposed to getting rid of the bubbles right before entering the mushroom lagoon tank, why don't you fix it at the source? If you vent the 90 right where it comes out of the top DT, then the bubbles won't make it down to the the mushroom tank. If there are still some bubbles, you could vent the bottom 90 as well but that would require air line to the top as you suggested.

This is a guess without seeing your plumbing on your display tank. Can you attach pictures of that as well?

 

What about a bubble trap similar to what you would put in a sump in the mushroom tank?

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inwall*, thanks for your time and insights.

I could certainly get a photo up sometime today. It is quite simple, though (just a threaded elbow screwed into a bulkhead).

So, if you think that would work, it is absolutely worth a shot (much simpler than my idea). As you mention, I could also do this to the lower plumbing later, if needed.

A quick question...do you think something the size of airline tubing for the vent is large enough? Should I use something larger?

Thanks again for your time.

 

malac*, thanks. I could do this, but I don't want to reduce the amount of current in the tank which is produced by the "returns."

 

Is it a PVC 90? If it it, replace that 90 with a PVC T and a cap with a hole drilled in it. If it's an acrylic 90, drill a hole right so you can insert a small piece of rigid tubing into the corner and silicone it in.

 

inwall*, Thank you again for all of your time and insights.

Hopefully, I will have this implemented in the next couple of days. I will keep you posted.