Help with Microbubbles...

Are there 3 baffles on the right side also, it looks like over under to me but not sure.

 

I see several possible issues.

1. the skimmer section should be a bit wider to give any bubbles time to rise to the top of the water. I'm guessing the volume of water entering it is pushing the overflow thru the baffles at a very rapid rate.

2. the baffles look like they are too close together - this also helps create a very fast flow thru them. there should be 1 1/2" space between each baffle. Also the center baffle should be at least 1" above the bottom, an 1 1/2" is better.

3. take the extra space you need from the return area, it only needs to be wide enough to actually fit the pump technically but I like to keep at least a double width myself.

4. on my setup I added a 45 deg angle that directs the flow into the skimmer chamber so that it is pointed at the opposite corner of the chamber allowing more time for micro bubbles to rise to the surface and pop before getting sucked thru the baffles and into the return pump.

 

Your baffles are too close together. Skinny baffles create higher velocity and sweep micro bubbles along. You don't have to have all that room for a return section. Yes water will evaporate from that area, but it can be smaller. Use at least 1.5" baffles... for a total of 3" wide. It will be fine.... you have the room for 4" baffles... the wider they are the better they work.

At some point you have to look at how much flow you have through your skimmer section. Any more that what is needed for the slkimmer is a waste. Turn down your return pump to supply just enough for the skimmer to process and how much you want for your fuge.

Last... if yopu are getting MBs from the drain in the fuge... the baffle arrngement exits those bubbles straight in to the return pump under water. Yuo want the last baffle of a 2 pane trap to exit at the surface. 2 pane traps are not very effective, but exiting the water next to the return garantees what ever bubbles made it past the first baffle to go straight to the display tank. Effectively making it a divider.

If all your bubbles are coming from the drain.... then you can always look into doing a Herbie overflow. Zero bubbles, zero noise.

 

I am widening the baffles right now, should i also remove the 2nd baffle from the fuge? There is such low flow in that area i do not think it is creating any issues.

 

Here is the revised version.

1. Widened the baffles to 1.5" seperation
2. Removed the secondary baffle at the fuge.
3. shrunk the center return section to 8"x12"x8.5"

 

that should do the trick, you should see a huge improvement

 

Ya... fast work. Good job. Great thing to do getting it right in the beginning.

I hope that cures your problem. Like I said, if not look at how much you are actually putting through your sump. Also... look into the Herbie. It is an awesome overflow just on it's own. It was one of the best mods I did on my tank. but it all your bubbles are coming from your overflow.... that will take care of it.