ASM G2 filling sump with microbubbles

VolitanFF · 02-20-2007, 06:53 PM

ok.. I just got my tank setup. right now I have it full of just freshly mixed IO with RODI water.. I started my Skimmer and its now filling my sump with bubbles that are being sucked in by my return pump filling my display with bubbles.. is this something that will go away once the skimmer is "broke in" or is there something I should do? by the way I dont have my sump setup with baffles.. just a 29 gallon aquarium that I am using as a sump.

afbengochea · 02-20-2007, 06:56 PM

once its broken in it should stop putting out microbubbles. it is always better to put baffles just in case though ..... or u can put a micron sock on the output of the skimmer to catch the bubbles. The only drawback to that is that u have to clean the sock regularly

forenpa1 · 02-20-2007, 06:57 PM

you might need to install a baffle - have you done a gate valve modification my G2 works great with the modification- if not do you have the black sponge thing on the out take tube ?

combiemaster · 02-20-2007, 07:29 PM

yeah man i would add a baffel in there also

VolitanFF · 02-20-2007, 09:30 PM

well... I dont see me putting any baffles in there.. so hopefully it clears up with the bubbles.. or I will have to do something else..

Thanks for the replies

Wiskey · 02-20-2007, 10:53 PM

I hate installing baffles

but it's important that your skimmer is sitting in the same water depth all the time, so one baffle or an autotopoff is required for proper perfomance.

I agree,... The bubbles should go away after the skimmer breaks in.

Whiskey

tashier · 02-20-2007, 11:07 PM

I'm betting the microbubbles will not go away on their own. Your options to prevent bubbles getting back to the tank are: (some already suggested)

1. Use sock filter on output of skimmer
2. Baffles to control bubbles
3. Slow water speed through sump. (usually to match skimmer GPH)

If you're running a massive amount of water through your sump your going to have troubles even with baffles installed.

VolitanFF · 02-20-2007, 11:30 PM

the way my sump is setup with the skimmer and return pump. and with my drain from the tank going into a filter sock.. I am not sure if I have enough room to put a baffle in there. I have a mag drive 12 as a return pump running full throttle. I have a ball valve on it though if I need to slow it down. I figured the more water I can move through my sump the more water I will be putting in front of my skimmer every hour for it to gobble up. if I am thinking about this wrong.. let me know what you think. my skimmer is brand new and has all the stock things that come with it including that foam piece on the riser tube. there is so much froth coming out of the riser tube that the foam piece doesnt stand a chance at killing the bubbles.. so as some of you say.. I hope it gets better after it runs for a few days. I will post up some pics of my new setup when I get everything done. so far I have the lighting and filtration installed.. and I hooked up my Neptune controller tonight and figured out how to operate it.. Live rock should be here this week.

PikachuSalad · 04-29-2007, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forenpa1

you might need to install a baffle - have you done a gate valve modification my G2 works great with the modification- if not do you have the black sponge thing on the out take tube ?

I have a G2 and the pieces for this mod...any chance you could show me a picture of yours?

fyrfytr1717 · 04-30-2007, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VolitanFF

I have a mag drive 12 as a return pump running full throttle. I have a ball valve on it though if I need to slow it down. I figured the more water I can move through my sump the more water I will be putting in front of my skimmer every hour for it to gobble up. if I am thinking about this wrong.. let me know what you think.

Ideally you actually want to match the flow rate through your sump to the skimming capability of your skimmer. If you are running 1200gph through your sump but your skimmer can only process 350gph, you are simply recirculating 850gph of dirty water through your tank with your skimmed water. You can't increase your skimmer's ability to clean water by simply passing more water by it. Slowing the flow rate through your sump will also reduce the number of bubbles making it to the return pump as they will have more time to rise and pop before making it to the pump's intake.

I would also definitely add at least one baffle to maintain a constant water level as others have already mentioned, very important for consistent skimming. The gate valve mod will further allow you to fine tune your skimmer.

fyrfytr1717 · 04-30-2007, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PikachuSalad

I have a G2 and the pieces for this mod...any chance you could show me a picture of yours?

Directions and pictures of the mod can be found HERE.

Here is a picture of mine, it's a G4 though. The open end of the "T" at the top of the return pipe should be fitted with a plug with about a 1/8" hole drilled in it. This will make it MUCH quieter! You can actually configure the parts almost any way you want, however the horizontal part of the return should not be higher than the water level you want in your skimmer, and you should install your air bleeder (cap with the hole drilled in it) after your gate valve or you run the risk of blowing water out of it if you close the gate valve too far.