Tiny Bubbles in the utube?

[random]

Please enlighten this newbie; Sorry in advance if I don't use the right terms. Official Sump Builder is at work & left me to make sure the siphon doesn't break & burn out the motor, SO - I seek advice.

Sump is up & running fine, except small bubbles are sloooowly building up in the utube (j-tube?), I think from the water draining/turbulence in the black overflow box?

Tried adding some water to the system & siphoned out the big bubble (short siphon tube = salty, bacteria-ridden drink), which slowed it down a lot, but they're still gathering.
Add a little more water? (I'm really not sure why it helped the first time, 'cause it all ended up in the return part of the sump?)
Or is it something else?
Lower the overflow box, maybe?
Physics was not my best class

Eshopps overflow box,
29 gal. MT,
10 gal. tank as sump

[biowheel]

Sounds like your getting a typical "splashing" into the overflow box. I had the same problem and put a pc of filter sponge in there and it changes the flow to more of a "pour" than a splashing. You will loose flow but I have never lost suction even with a power outage. If you need a pic I can post one . Hope it helps

[Loverotties]

Yes can we see a pic or two?

[Elegance Coral]

Adding water probably helped because raising the water level in the sump shortens the distance the pump has to lift the water to get it into the display. Meaning the pump can now pump faster. To keep bubbles from gathering at the top of the "U" tube, you will need to increase flow through the tube. The high flow rate will keep the bubbles pushed out the back side of the U tube. Try to eliminate any hard turns between the return pump and the display. Make sure that the hose and plumbing is large enough to not restrict the flow. If there is a valve in the line slowly begin opening it. Watch the bubbles in the tube, and when the flow pushes them out the back side, stop opening the valve. You can try elevating the sump so that the pump is lifting the water a shorter distance. If none of that works, you may need to get a larger pump. I usually get a pump that is capable of moving more water than I need. This way I can place a "T" in the line with a valve to adjust how much flow goes into the display. The water flowing out the T can then be plumbed into a reactor or other filter system.

[random]

Thank you for the help, biowheel & EC! I'll get on that, asap.
(and I would never, ever turn down a pic!)

Originally Posted by Loverotties

Yes can we see a pic or two?

Pretty sure you meant biowheel, , but here's a pic anyway, of what built up overnight, to tide you over till they get here:

[Elegance Coral]

Just keep an eye on that bubble until you can do something about it. The bubble will continue to grow until to slows the flow through the tube enough that the tank overflows.

[chrisd]

not sure but the overflow box in the tank looks to be high. that would cause the water to splash and create bubbles. i would try and adjust the overflow box. put it more in the water.

[Jadinop]

Since you are able to keep the box that high and bubbles are also building up in the tube, it indicates you do not have a big enough return pump or the flow is severely restricted.

[biowheel]

try lowering that inside box some .

[motorslave]

The issue that I had wasthe outer box has too high of a water level in relation to the level in the tank. This causes the water in the tube to flow slow allowing the bubbles to build up. I had this happen and had to change the level in th outer box. This caused the force of gravity pulling the water down to increase the speed of the water in the u-tbe and the little bubbles went along for the entire ride. I always had the littl bubbles and once I fixed the issues I never had a flood. The water need to fall farther inot the outer box.

[bb0029]

Originally Posted by biowheel

try lowering that inside box some .

Does the water get sucked into the the place where the sponge is and then the tube sucks it out of the other side? not trying to high jack the thread, just trying to figure out how those actually work.

[chrisd]

Originally Posted by motorslave

The issue that I had wasthe outer box has too high of a water level in relation to the level in the tank. This causes the water in the tube to flow slow allowing the bubbles to build up. I had this happen and had to change the level in th outer box. This caused the force of gravity pulling the water down to increase the speed of the water in the u-tbe and the little bubbles went along for the entire ride. I always had the littl bubbles and once I fixed the issues I never had a flood. The water need to fall farther inot the outer box.

how would you adjust the outer box on that set up?
i would have to agree with jason with the under sized pump. the over flow box shuold be lower in the tank.

[motorslave]

Originally Posted by chrisd

how would you adjust the outer box on that set up?
i would have to agree with jason with the under sized pump. the over flow box should be lower in the tank.

The whole thing works on a siphon. A siphon will NOT work without gravity. The farther the fall on the down side ( outside box) then the faster the water will move through the tube. Lowering the box in the tank wont do anything except maybe make it even slower.
To lower the level in the outer box, either adjust the overflow pipe/durso/stockman/HGB lower in the box or it it has a divider to prevent siphon break then the level of the divider needs to be lwered. I had to do mine with a dremel, then it worked perfctly. I've been through this. Tried rstricting the pump output, tried a bigger pump etc. A one inch U-tube wil not flow a great deal of water. The slow velocity through the tube is allowing the bubbles to collect. Once fixed mine had small bubbles going through it all th time ( nature of the beast) but the velocity kept them from building up.

[motorslave]

Lowering the box in the tank will lower the water level. That will slow the velocity as the tank level will be closer to the level in the outer box. This will allow a shorter distance for the water to fall into the outer box in relation to the level in the tank. There needs to be enough difference between the two. Otherwise reduced to no siphon effect.
Think GRAVITY!

[chrisd]

it has a divider to prevent siphon break then the level of the divider needs to be lwered. I had to do mine with a dremel, then it worked perfctly.
i was wondering how you would do this. so if you are going to lower the divider you would be talking about a half inch or so any more and the box would not be any good it will loose siphon.
that really worked?