Unfortunately, I don't have enough room to put baffles in my crowded sump; nor do I want to drain it, disconnect all the pumps, ect. Any ideas on how to eliminate micro bubbles w/o a baffle? I was thinking about making some out of eggcrate and filter floss. Anyone had a similar problem that the solved w/o the addition of baffles? Thanks as always!
troubleshooting microbubble
- Thread starter mvm
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Depending on set up and what's causing the bubbles...I've used foam strips to eliminate them.
A prefilter sponge like what comes with Mag Drive pumps might work, or if you can place an open cell sponge in your sump somewhere so all water entering the return section of the sump has to go thru it. These basically eliminate bubbles, but require weekly removal and rinsing. Like pictured below in blue:
they shouldnt... provided the "intake" side of the pump is sized up, as usually recommended..
either way, I don't think it causes a restriction..
but, if he's concerned about it, he can always increase the size of the 90..
I had to take mine and run it through a radial arm saw so that it would still fit (the bulkhead was too low to allow it to work initially)
I had the same problem with my 100 gallon rubber maid sump.To fix the problem I took a 5 gallon bucket and stuck it in the sump on top of a couple of rocks. Now the 5 gallon bucket sticks out just barely above the water level in sump. I took the drain line and dropped it in the bucket causing the bubbles be forced to the top of the bucket and overflow to the top of the sumpsump.you could also just cut a 3" pvc pipe and put a cap on.The cap side down will be at the bottom when the sump and the drain will drop in the pipe the bubbles will be forced to the top and the return pump will be sucking from the bottom.Not sure if it will work for you set up but it did mine and its a quick cheap solution.
Regarding the 90 elbow -- add a screen to the elbow to reduce the risk of sucking small snails into your pump. I found a screen at my LFS to put on my return pump and my skimmer pump. Prior to using the screen I had a snail clogging my return pump.
I also use the sponge approach -- which makes a big difference. I'm not a fan of filter socks --- but I've read they can be very effective -- IF they are cleaned on a regular basis. Of course, the sponges also need to be cleaned as mentioned by Dave.
I also use the sponge approach -- which makes a big difference. I'm not a fan of filter socks --- but I've read they can be very effective -- IF they are cleaned on a regular basis. Of course, the sponges also need to be cleaned as mentioned by Dave.
skriz
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Can you install a filter sock? If so, that'll reduce bubbles and increase mechanical filtration. They're also much, much, much easier and better to deal with than a sponge. A sponge will always dump a ton of detritus back into the water whenever you try and remove the sponge for cleaning. A filter sock never will.
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It WILL technically cause a restriction. Water cannot flow through an angled union as fast as a straight run (or as fast as through free open water). However the restriction will be minimal. That being said, I would not restrict an input of a magnetically driven pump, in my own preference.
jeremy and I discussed it in pm's.. he still feels that it's a restriction... (I don't)
his point is that the water does have to work harder to come around the bend in the 90.. and he's right..
but my point is that since a pump moves water and that the water isn't being compressed, what flows in the pump is always equal to what flows out of the pump (otherwise cavitation occurs). Since you're restricting your outflow of the pump by adding head pressure and adding piping/bends/etc.. the demand for water going into the pump is much lower, therefore, it offsets any actual restriction caused by the 90..
his point is that the water does have to work harder to come around the bend in the 90.. and he's right..
but my point is that since a pump moves water and that the water isn't being compressed, what flows in the pump is always equal to what flows out of the pump (otherwise cavitation occurs). Since you're restricting your outflow of the pump by adding head pressure and adding piping/bends/etc.. the demand for water going into the pump is much lower, therefore, it offsets any actual restriction caused by the 90..