ATI Hydro Sponge Pro Filter #5 Creating Micro Bubbles

[Matt1628]

Can anyone recommend how I can get my Sponge Filter to stop making micro bubbles?  My FX6 keeps sucking the micro bubbles into the canister and every couple minutes its sounds like someone is dragging their feet across the floor.  I have been unplugging the canister every couple hours to purge the air out but within an hour its doing it again.  Its starting to drive me nuts  as this tank is literally eight feet from the foot of my bed. 

Thanks,

Matt

[GrizzlysDad]

Simple, just get rid of the sponge filter. But if you're set on keeping the sponge filter as well then move it as far away as possible from the intake of the FX6.
Also IIRC, your FX6 cycles every 24hrs to purge the air inside. So by you unplugging it you're upsetting the automatic mechanics built in to the filter.

[Matt1628]

The sponge is 6 feet from the intake.  And yes it purges every 12 hours automatically.  It would be great if it purged every two hours, then I could sleep at night  Thanks for the reply.

[fishman]

Are you using an air stone in the Hydro?  If you are, pull it out and try that.

[GrizzlysDad]

Are you using an air stone in the Hydro?  If you are, pull it out and try that.

x2.

Or are you using a power head on the sponge?

Another question...are you sure that the sponge filter is creating the bubbles being drawn up the intake?
Or could the return on the canister filter be above the water line and causing excess bubbles?

[Matt1628]

No. Just the  airline connected to the Sponge

[GrizzlysDad]

Another thing to consider Matt is whether or not your intake tube is far enough down in the water column.
The bottom of the strainer should be just a short distance up from the substrate.

[fishman]

Have you checked your connections?  Maybe could be a pin hole that is drawing air.

[GrizzlysDad]

Have you checked your connections?  Maybe could be a pin hole that is drawing air.

another very good point there Mike

[Matt1628]

The outlet is a good 3-4" below the water.  The inlet is 3-4" above the substrate.  I put it up that high because its very fine black sand, almost like sugar and I didn't want it getting sucked into the filter.  I'll try lowering it some tonight.  Everything else seems tight and leaving filter off for a couple minutes, I don't see any water leaking out of the hoses, but I will check it again tonight also.  Only other thing that I can think of thats causing it is, I have a tankless hot water tank, and it heats the water so rapidly, it causes the dissolved gasses to expand causing micro bubbles in the tank when doing water changes.  But it only takes about a half hour for all the bubbles to clear up.

[GrizzlysDad]

The outlet is a good 3-4" below the water.  The inlet is 3-4" above the substrate.  I put it up that high because its very fine black sand, almost like sugar and I didn't want it getting sucked into the filter.  I'll try lowering it some tonight.  Everything else seems tight and leaving filter off for a couple minutes, I don't see any water leaking out of the hoses, but I will check it again tonight also.  Only other thing that I can think of thats causing it is, I have a tankless hot water tank, and it heats the water so rapidly, it causes the dissolved gasses to expand causing micro bubbles in the tank when doing water changes.  But it only takes about a half hour for all the bubbles to clear up.

I wouldn't lower the intake any further considering the fine sand, that was good forethought on your part.
I would suggest just shutting off the air supply to the sponge filter for at least a day and see if that indeed eliminates the issue. Leave the sponge in the tank for now.

[Matt1628]

OK I'll try that also.  Thanks.

[Regalblue]

Could the canister output be causing it?  Is it pointed twards the intake?

[Matt1628]

No.The output is pointed up at the surface, which I'm considering changing to a spray bar in the future.  I valved down the airflow to the sponge filter. Instead of the canister getting real annoying an hour or so after purging, it now takes six hours to get annoying.  I think now I'll just have to tweak where I have my powerheads and see if I can get it closer to 12 hours. If not, I guess I'll take the sponge out. I like having it on hand though if I have to set up an emergency tank for some reason, I would already have a cycled filter media.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.


Matt

[cranialdisturbance]

I don't know where your air pump is located but if you unplug it make sure it is above the water level so water doesn't start being siphoned through the airline.