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Old 10-11-2007, 11:18 PM   #1
-Rich87T
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Join Date: Jan 2004
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Sudden micro-bubbles...


(Ignore my signature, it's way out of date...)

I have a 220gal tank with two submersible pumps returning from the sump. The sump is a CPR unit with a separate refugium tank. This has been setup for about 5 years with crystal clear water and no micro bubbles at all. Regular monthly maintenance, etc...

All of a sudden, I have a fog like stream of bubbles coming from both, individual return pumps! It's weird. I thought the sump level may have fallen low (I have an auto topper) but it's fine. I increased the sump water level to see if the pumps were sucking air from the surface, vortex maybe. Nope. I checked the placement of the pumps and both are in the bottom of the sump where they always are. I recently used some Chemiclean to kick a small bit of cyanobacteria that was showing up, but I've done that in the past with zero negative effects. Can Chemiclean cause micro bubbles? Visually, the water is clear in the sump post skimmer, so I'm completely stumped.

I'm wondering if there's some sort of contamination in the water? All corals look fantastic and the kenya tree are growing like CRAZY. Protein skimmer is pulling a wet, light foam, which is not out of the normal.

I'm going to put some live rock in front of the pumps to diffuse any bubbles making it through. I just did a water change as well. Can microbubbles hurt anything (until I get the problem solved)???

Any ideas/advise other than Micro bubbles are a pain in the ass.
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Old 10-11-2007, 11:21 PM   #2
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I'm thinking that one of the fittings on the return line got cracked, broke or has somehow begun letting air in. You would think it would blow water out, but often is sucks air in. It would be the first thing I would check.
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Old 10-11-2007, 11:46 PM   #3
-Rich87T
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Nevermind, figured it out. Last time I cleaned the pumps, I installed the return pumps reversed from how I normally install them...

The simplest things....
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Old 10-11-2007, 11:47 PM   #4
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Well I'm glad we could help
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Old 10-12-2007, 07:10 AM   #5
Loverotties
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Glad you figured it out!
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kenya tree , micro bubbles , protein skimmer , submersible pump , submersible pumps



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