U-Tube Air Bubbles

[ReefLuvR]

Ok, here's my problem. My tank wants to overflow and I'm not willing to let it! Ok, I'm not willing to let it, AGAIN.

The U-tube for the external overflow keeps getting air bubbles in it. This causes the overflow to slow down, and the tank to overfill. I removed the u-tube, cleaned it really well and re-installed it. I also pulled my return pump out of the sump and soaked it in vinegar.

Things have been fine for 10 months, so I suppose I'm due for a head-scratcher.

I tried sticking airline tubing up to the top of the U and attached it to the venturi of a Maxijet 900. Not enough draw to pull out the air.

Any ideas for me?
TIA, Jen

[iamdickie]

u tube, i might need a pic of this plumbing job

Originally Posted by ReefLuvR

Ok, here's my problem. My tank wants to overflow and I'm not willing to let it! Ok, I'm not willing to let it, AGAIN.

The U-tube for the external overflow keeps getting air bubbles in it. This causes the overflow to slow down, and the tank to overfill. I removed the u-tube, cleaned it really well and re-installed it. I also pulled my return pump out of the sump and soaked it in vinegar.

Things have been fine for 10 months, so I suppose I'm due for a head-scratcher.

I tried sticking airline tubing up to the top of the U and attached it to the venturi of a Maxijet 900. Not enough draw to pull out the air.

Any ideas for me?
TIA, Jen

[Jeremy1973]

I would just use the airline tubing that you were trying and just manually suck out the air. Just don't swallow any water. heh heh Or get some larger tubing, attach it to the output of a powerhead, and bend that up in to the tube and blast the bubbles out.

[ReefLuvR]

But I need something that will KEEP the bubbles out. I can't be here 24/7 to make sure they don't build up. Know what I mean?

[Dingo]

A stronger return pump will create a higher velocity of water within the u tube and that will sweep the bubbles through. Or stick a piece of hose in there to be another u-tube, and things wont be so tetchy.

[Jeremy1973]

Sounds like the bubbles are getting introduced from the water pouring over into the overflow box. My friend that had that issue put a sponge filter on the end to stop the bubbles from entering the pipe. And if you can, maybe lower the box more in the water, so that the pipe can sit deeper inside and hopefully catch few bubbles as well. Just an idea.

[Geoff]

i think CPR has a modified air pump that they use for their overflows now to stop this exact problem. take a look there and see if it can be modified for your overflows. i would suspect yes.

HTH,

G~