Microbubbles..how do I get rid of them?

C

CarolynM

I set up my 40 gallon cube 2 weeks ago. At first I had a dolphin pump but it quit after about 4 days of use so I swapped that pump for a mag 3. I seem to get recurring microbubble problems now, with the dolphin I didn't have any. I replumbed my connections yesterday to see if I could fix it, but alas this morning they are just as bad.

I have heard that if air is getting in somewhere in the lines this will cause it? Is there anyway to identify where this could be? Other suggestions? I didn't get these bubbles in the few days I ran the dolphin, is there something I can check on the mag 3? Flow on each pump is almost the sam 350 and 385gph.

I have seahorses and microbubbles are very bad news in seahorse tanks.

Thanks for any tips you guys can give me!

Carolyn
 
I replummed everything a few times before I solved my problems. I used tons of teflon tape on each threaded joint. I also (eventually) had to reseal the pump because it's gasket was shot. That solved my problem.
 
What all is involved in resealing a pump? I'm thinking that since I didn't have the problem with the dolphin and I have it with the mag that perhaps it is the mag? But then again, I have changed some plumbing so who knows now.

Unfortunately I have to change some of the plumbing if I swap back to the dolphin (their intake/outputs are threaded differently) but I don't think that will be a major deal (probably just yet another trip to HD!)

Carolyn
 
for me, it invovled unscrewing everything, taking apart what I could, cleaning it out, making sure everything was good and then using a little bit of silicon around the o rings and such and then reassemble.

disclaimer... try at your own risk

:)
 
also... if you have clear tubing you can add anywhere, you can see if the bubble are in the water before the pump or after the pump... this helps ALOT to determin where the gap is.
 
Do you see microbubbles in the area where the return pump is? If you do, they are being sucked in and pumped back up to the tank.

If you are using locline for your return, make sure all of is fully submerged.

Are you using the pump internally or externally?
 
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