Pet Forum / Aquaria / Marine Reef / May 2004

Bob

It sounds like our systems are of similar size, but I don't know about the
water flows.  I have exactly the same problem, with a different overflow
arrangement.  I have four overflows drilled into the back wall of a 6*2*2
tank.  I have two return pumps doing a total of around 6,000 litres per hour
(approx 1,600 US Galls / hr).  My four drains hit the filter wool in the
sump and generate both a lot of gurgling noises, and huge quantities of tiny
bubbles that survive for long enough to be pumped back into the tank.  My
sump (total 4*1.5*1.5) has returns at both ends with a refugium section in
the centre.  The pumps are located in a division between the end (where the
filter wool is located) and the refugium.  I have had some success with the
bubble carryover (but not the noise) by making a suction pipe that goes into
the refugium area, where things are calmer.  Almost no bubbles go back to
the tank.  I'm going to try the standpipe idea (next weekend) and will
advise the result.

Phil

the T with the stand pipe will work with any amount of flow as long as the
stand pipe is long enough.. To get rid of any excess bubbles, some small peices
of live rock ( maybe many small peices) around the out flow of the drain will
act as baffles. another option is to have the drain lines dump into aanother
container that sits inside the sump. as the water overflows the container, the
bubbles rise and disipate. some holes drilled into th econtainer may be
helpfull but not usually necessary.
Good Luck

You've got a few options.  I like that in sump standpipe idea.  The other one is
the drawing I posted a couple of days ago.
http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/pvc_cut.jpg

I really like to use Bubble towers.  Take a narrow container like the
rubbermaid/tupperware ones designed to hold a loaf of bread.  Stand it up on
end, and drill a bunch of holes near the base.  Holes can be 1/2" to 1" in
size.  Fill the tower with live rock rubble of various sizes, to create a wall
impeding the bubbles.  Water will flow through the rock and out the holes.
Drill a hole or two in the lid, and insert your drain pipe(s).

You should only have enough rock in the tower so that all of it is submerged.
If airbubbles do escape, add more small pieces to fill some of the voids.
Keeping the lid on the tower will muffle the sounds and prevent salt spray from
getting on your sump and cabinet.

I made a bubble tower for my Model A sump (on my site).  Here's a short video:
http://www.melevsreef.com/video/trapped_bubbles.wmv

You do need a bubble trap before the return pump, to stop the few microbubbles
that do make it through the tower/skimmer.

Marc

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Personal Page:     http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page:     http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist:   http://www.melevsreef.com

Try a "durso" overflow! It will help quite a bit, and stop noise from the
slurping at the top of the tank as well.
Check out:
http://www.dursostandpipes.com/

These are DIY but he can make them for you if you are not the DIY type.

Bruce