dschflier March 17, 2009 March 17, 2009 A couple of months ago I redid my plumbing with a larger pump. I am now using a hammerhead and previosuly was using an Iwaki100. My main branch plumbing starts at 1.5" PVC and reduces to 1" in the branches that go to the various tanks. I had the pump slightly throttled back and had some micro bubbles in the tank. Just recently I opened the pump all the way and now I have more micro bubbles in my tanks. Anyone hae any idea what could be the cause. I really would rather not have to re-plumb the whole system. I especially dont want to do it if I dont know for sure were the air is coming from.
lawnboy March 17, 2009 March 17, 2009 Do you have the bubbles on all the outputs from this pump? Look for the tornados in the top of the tank , you are pushing a lot of water into the tank.
Origami March 17, 2009 March 17, 2009 Either cavitation on the intake or an air leak somewhere on the intake side would be my guesses.
sen5241b March 17, 2009 March 17, 2009 I eliminated a little waterfall that went into my fuge and the bubbles went away.
dschflier March 17, 2009 Author March 17, 2009 Well I dont think it is bubbles from my sump. My sump is probbably 5' long with two baffles and a settling area between where the water comes in and is suckd out. How would you determine if it is cavitation and how would you resolve this issue. I dont think it is caused from air being sucked from a vortex from the outflow. The intake area isn't that long but I will detach the valve clean it and check if this helps. It is not part of a closed loop and the pump feeds three tanks and they all get micro bubbles.
Origami March 17, 2009 March 17, 2009 (edited) How would you determine if it is cavitation and how would you resolve this issue. I dont think it is caused from air being sucked from a vortex from the outflow.The intake area isn't that long but I will detach the valve clean it and check if this helps. Cavitation would result if the input side of pump saw too much resistance. For example, if the intake side were undersized, the pump might cavitate and produce microbubbles. Here's a useful link: http://www.mcnallyinstitute.com/01-html/1-3.html The more common cause is a leaky joint on the intake side. A poor or failed joint on this side of the pump would have a venturi-like effect, drawing air into the pipe with no outward signs of leakage. Edited March 17, 2009 by Origami2547
dschflier March 18, 2009 Author March 18, 2009 I dont believe turning off the pump will help because I have done this. I work a mid tonight and I will check out the thread Tom. Tomorrow I will also check the intake side closely. Thanks
zygote2k March 18, 2009 March 18, 2009 Throttle back the pump instead of running it wide open. See if that helps.
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