refuge bubbles

[benthos]

This is a 10 gal tank Im using for a fuge. I didnt take the time to silicone baffles in cause I really didnt care how it looks, I just needed a place to grow some macro. The main tank is drilled in each upper back corner with its own drain line to the fuge. I have these lines pouring into a half milk jug, filling up the jug and overflowing into the fuge area. The fuge is then divided by a tank divider screen with the return pump on the other side. Im getting alot of micro bubbles and not sure how to get rid of them. They are obviously cause by the drain lines pouring into the milk container but if that container wasnt there then the macro would be swirling all around from the current.

any ideas to prevent the micro bubbles? Or should I just start over and silicone baffles in?

 

[Fatal Morgana]

There are many tricks that can solve your problem but if the bubble does not bother anything, don't work too hard on it.

At anyrate, you can use a milk jug with slots-cuts instead of straight cut across. Or you can insert baffles in the tank. The underlining principle for both suggestions above is the same: slow the velocity of the water, and the bubble will be minimized.

Sometimes, just by turning the milk jug around help a lot, esp. if most of the water spills out from one side (lower cut).

 

[gpodio]

Newbie here so take my advice with a grain of salt. My baffles worked somewhat but I think I didn't space them out enough and so the flow is still strong enough to push the smaller bubbles down and into the pump chamber. I ended up using a filter "sock" over the overflow tube which stopped all the micro bubbles. I'm not sure however if it is counter productive for any other processes. Might be best to hear some opinions from the experienced people here about this solution first. Here's a picture of it:

Hope that helps
Giancarlo

 

[benthos]

thanks, I'll start experimenting with the milk jug. not like it couldnt be replaced.

 

[Fatal Morgana]

Now, don't try to drink a full gallon of milk in the morning just so you can play around with scissors and razor blade

The filter sock serve the same purpose as the milk jug. It slow down the water by providing billions of opening over a large area for the water to come out. I don't like it as much because it get clog easily, and need periodic cleaning. Wife does not like me washing my fishy sock over the kitchen sink...