Air bubbles from outflow in 14g Biocube-Help!

[NewbietoNanos]

Hi everyone,

 

I have been looking around these forums for a while now and decided to join. I got a 14g biocube for Xmas and from the beginning I have been having trouble with air bubbles coming from the outflow into the tank. My dad has had tanks for over 10 years now and he can't figure it out either. They are driving me nuts!!! If you guys have any advice, please share!

 

Tank set-up:

Coralife skimmer in 1st chamber

Filter floss over tray in 2nd chamber-no bioballs

Sponge in bottom btwn 2nd and 3rd chamber

Pump only in 3rd chamber

 

At first I was worried about keeping the water level in 3rd chamber btwn the min-max lines. I quit that and filled the water all the way up to the elbow in the outflow-that helped the bubbles alot but did not get rid of them completely. I've checked to make sure the tube from the pump to the outflow is secured. We put some silicone on the elbow piece to see if that would keep any air out-didn't notice a difference.

 

Grrrrrrr!

 

 

 

 

[Angeles]

The only time I've ever had air bubbles in my biocube is when the levels are too low. It's possible that the water dripping through the carbon pad thingy is hitting the water hard enough to create some bubbles, without the bio balls breaking it's fall. I suggest you get the media basket from InTank, it's really worth it. Other than that, I suppose it's possible there's something wrong with your pump...I can't see how though if the water level is above the return elbow.

[NewbietoNanos]

I did see where someone said they put a sponge in the 2nd chamber to catch the water so wouldn't hit and make bubbles-I will try that. What is the media basket?

[Aurortpa]

I don't find a few micro bubbles too be harmful. This sounds crazy to some, but I actually purposely make bubbles appear in my tank by jettisoning air into the return chambers sometimes. I have never had micro bubbles hurt anything in my tank from my experience.

 

With that said. Your bubbles might be caused by turbulence from the intake grill to the first chamber, only takes one lil bubble from there to carry over to your return pump to cause an entire disbursement of micro bubbles. Putting the media basket (the thing carrying your sponge and filtration) to catch the water coming into the chamber can help minimize that.

[NewbietoNanos]

Thanks for the input. I did a water change today and just filled the 3rd chamber all the way up to the return elbow and so far that is the only thing that helps. From what I've read from other people, this shouldn't hurt anything. Except when the power goes out! :/

[Angeles]

Just so you know, the water levels in the second and third chamber will typically be the same, so you just have to find what works with everything.

[NewbietoNanos]

Yes I did realize that now the 2nd chamber is full too. I will leave it like this and see how everything goes.

 

Thanks!