polishing the water

[walshliam]

Good morning,
  Can you provide some tips on getting crystal clear water?

I have a 90G tank, the Sump has a filter sock but I'm still seeing tiny bubbles in the water. Any tips on getting it even clearer?

 

[spyd]

Is the output of your skimmer in the water or above the water line? That can cause microbubbles. It could also be your return pump. What are you using for the return?

 

[walshliam]

The output is above the water line. I'm not sure what type of pump is on the return line.

 

[theyangman]

Bubbles in your display are coming from your sump somewhere. If you have a filter sock then I would assume the bubbles are coming out of your skimmer.

Baffles can help ease the bubble issue or a longer distance between your skimmer and return to allow for the bubbles to surface and get rid of themselves before having a chance to be sucked into your return pump and into your display tank.

More info would be helpful.

 

[reeffreak]

Could be a leak in a return line. Even jut the smallest hole will draw in air and create bubbles. If you don't have any baffles in you're sump splitting you're skimmer/return pump sections then that's most likely where the micro bubbles are from. But if you do have baffles installed its most likely you're drawing air in somewhere in you're return line where you have connected elbows or valves.

 

[spyd]

Could be a leak in a return line. Even jut the smallest hole will draw in air and create bubbles. If you don't have any baffles in you're sump splitting you're skimmer/return pump sections then that's most likely where the micro bubbles are from. But if you do have baffles installed its most likely you're drawing air in somewhere in you're return line where you have connected elbows or valves.

+1. You can also add some PVC fittings to your skimmer output to direct the flow down into the water so it is not creating any turbulance.

 

[walshliam]

I bought this setup second hand, The guy I bought it from said he was told not to add anything to the skimmer's output or it would mess it up. It didn't make sense to me, but I listened. It would certainly reduce the noise from the system. I'll give it a shot.

TX

 

[Reef Hero]

My output from my skimmer is directed down into the water a few inches and I still get some bubbles so I couldn't imagine having it out of water lol.....
My sump is a simple 40g breeder with zero baffles.....a bit of rock to calm water down a little but I got lots of pumps and what not down in there and I don't get any micro bubble issues in my DT.

 

[theyangman]

I have a 40 gallon long as my sump. I have zero baffles and no bubble issues. skimmer output is below the water line, everything is perfect.