I set up my closed loop system last night. It is run by a Dart pump and has 2 drains and 4 returns. It is putting out bubbles, and I have isolated the problem to one of the drains. As long as I shut the ball valve for that drain there are no bubbles, but when it is open I get a slight gurgling sound and bubbles start coming out of the returns, so I know air is getting in somewhere. I don't see anything visible that could be causing the problem, and all the components are attached with PVC cement. Does anyone have a suggestion as to how I can pinpoint the exact location where air might be entering the system?
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How to identify the source of microbubbles in closed a loop? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter boudster
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tas5tas
Guest
Smear vasoline around all the connections one at a time until the bubbles stop and voila...thers your leak. That's the easiest way i know to do it. BTW.....what size holes are you 2 drains for your closed loop? Just wondering for reference to my closed loop setup.
AquaNerd
Guest
if not vasoline, try soapy water. but yeah, just rule things out by elimination. you'll find the hole somewhere.
cstewart79
Supporting Member
is the dart new??
cstewart79
Supporting Member
I just had to replace the bearings inside my sequence dart, while the pump had no leak it was cavitating there. Replacing the ceramic bearings and gasket fixed it.
kris4647 said:
Initially I thought that was the case, but it turns out that no matter which drain is on I get bubbles either way. I have no idea where it is coming from.
I'm hoping it's not the pump....but how would I know?
Two most likely sources of micro bubbles are
1-Suction piping leak, this includes the pump's volute.
2-Bubbles in the water going into the pump.
1-Most often you can see the leak however small if you shut down the pump for a while. The piping wont be under a partial vacuum anymore and the water will come out as opposed to air going in. Beyond that it gets complicated. You can electrical tape all the pipe transitions [Sorry I wouldnt use Vaseline
]. Over tighten everything. I have re-piped whole sections of pipe to get rid of a problem like this, just because it was so hard to figure out.
2-I'm sure you can figure out if there are bubbles in the water going into the pump from the tank.
Cavitation ia a problem with the pump's suction pressure or flow in most cases. It should make very audible noise in the volute. If you restrict the discharges all an equal amount and no more micro bubbles, there's an outside chance this could be the problem.
I cant type anymore. Post pictures of the setup if you are able please.
1-Suction piping leak, this includes the pump's volute.
2-Bubbles in the water going into the pump.
1-Most often you can see the leak however small if you shut down the pump for a while. The piping wont be under a partial vacuum anymore and the water will come out as opposed to air going in. Beyond that it gets complicated. You can electrical tape all the pipe transitions [Sorry I wouldnt use Vaseline
]. Over tighten everything. I have re-piped whole sections of pipe to get rid of a problem like this, just because it was so hard to figure out.2-I'm sure you can figure out if there are bubbles in the water going into the pump from the tank.
Cavitation ia a problem with the pump's suction pressure or flow in most cases. It should make very audible noise in the volute. If you restrict the discharges all an equal amount and no more micro bubbles, there's an outside chance this could be the problem.
I cant type anymore
. Post pictures of the setup if you are able please.
Is this on the suction piping?
Unfortunately you are screwed. There is no fix to a bad weld. Especially since you are in set up phase, it's best to redo the section. There are some fiberglass based tapes you can use. but I wouldn't do that personally.
tas5tas
Guest
Is the water level that low, like in your pictures, when you have the bubbles? If so, that could easily be the problem. It would suck air form the surface with the water level that low.
