microbubbles - looking for some innovation to tackle them

[Dhavalsp]

I am one of the lucky few (or many) who gets tap water with a stable ph which does not alter after storage. this allows me to successfully do WC straight from the tap.

Now the problem is during winter, the water has way too many microbubbles which bother my discus a lot..initially I thought it was just 20 mins or so and they are fine, but this stress adds up considerably over the 4 months of winter.

I have been looking at multiple ways of reducing these water bubbles without any success and I was wondering if anyone has tried something that has worked well for them. I do not have any means of storing water, so the most efficient, cheap and effective method is not applicable in my case...what is my second best option.

I have tried following so far:

1. Stuffed the broader end of python pipe with microfiber sponge - did not see much difference.
2. Tried to drop water from 2-3 inched above the surface - I think it made it worse.
3. I am thinking of using a bucket and pumping water through my canister filter - do you think this will work, also what should I be concerned about? one thing I can think of is depleting my beneficial bacteria due to chlorinated water ( I will be adding Seachem Safe in the bucket but not sure how effective it would be)
4. any other thoughts or DIYs that worked for you?

[Clawhammer]

I would also like to learn if there are options. My water in the winter is very pH stable (because of constant rain in Portland), but also full of microbubbles.

[Dhavalsp]

Someone had mentioned that they introduce water in the sump to reduce microbubbles and I assume my canister approach will be similar to that.

[Akili]

Add a inline prefilter and the end of the hose before it enters the tank a 200 micron sock.

[Dhavalsp]

Hi Akili, can you please point me to an inline filter you are talking about. Is it something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/INLINE-GARDEN-HOSE-ACTIVE-CARBON/dp/B01D57CVEM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1480367683&sr=8-4&keywords=inline+filter+for+water+hose

[Akili]

Hi Akili, can you please point me to an inline filter you are talking about. Is it something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/INLINE-GARDEN-HOSE-ACTIVE-CARBON/dp/B01D57CVEM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1480367683&sr=8-4&keywords=inline+filter+for+water+hoseYes this is it.

[100fuegos]

Or simply do what I do. Put a heck a big piece of an air stone in the tank while you are refilling. It is the only thing that works for me. I have to say that my tap water has not much micro bubbles but enough to bother my fish. In my case I prefilter my WC water with a 15 stage HMA type filter, 14 of them being CTO carbon block and only the very first a 1 or 5 micron sediment cartridge and still get micro bubbles.

[Kyla]

how long was ur python hose that u stuffed with sponge? i put sponge in this tube and it emilinated all visible microbubbles.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/kylasfish/Mobile%20Uploads/8638BBCE-87C0-41A4-A53D-6B2E20FE7716_zps9ltu2fyf.jpg (http://s296.photobucket.com/user/kylasfish/media/Mobile%20Uploads/8638BBCE-87C0-41A4-A53D-6B2E20FE7716_zps9ltu2fyf.jpg.html)

[Dhavalsp]

Thanks Akili and 100fuegos.

Hi Kyla, the python I have is smaller than this. I will be honest I stuffed only like 4 inches or so. I will look in to getting that prefilter.

BTW, I tried the canister filter method, it worked well....Tap > bucket >canister inlet in bucket > Canister outlet in tank. ...but this whole deal was too stressful for me (almost equivalent to the stress my fish have due to microbubbles)...it was really slow though...

[adrian31@outlook.com]

I started stuffing two Fluval FX5 round polishing pads in the end of my Python. I started this after I realized that the fish who stayed near the incoming water during my WC always acted funny for a time afterward (stressed). Since I've been doing this there has been no stress at all, in fact most of my fish love to be near the incoming water now.

EDIT: I use the longest (24") Python gravel tube. I'm thinking this might help since it's a longer way down for the bubbles to reach even before they hit the polishing pads. Maybe.

[Davidzil]

can we see a couple pictures of the micro-bubbles

[Davidzil]

How is this for innovation?
https://www.amazon.com/LifeStraw-Family-1-0-Water-Purifier/dp/B00FM9OBQS/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1480458297&sr=8-17&keywords=outdoor+water+filter

[Dhavalsp]

How is this for innovation?
https://www.amazon.com/LifeStraw-Family-1-0-Water-Purifier/dp/B00FM9OBQS/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1480458297&sr=8-17&keywords=outdoor+water+filter

Lol the flow rate is 9-12 litres/hour...that's like 3 Gallons/hour...I will have to start second water change before I complete the first one.

[Akili]

I am going to look into one of this ......................http://www.homedepot.com/p/Power-Care-Garden-Hose-Inlet-Filter-AP31076/202560210..................

It may need a Faucet to Hose or Aerator Adapter like this one ...............http://www.homedepot.com/p/NEOPERL-Solid-Brass-Dual-Thread-for-3-4-in-Hose-or-Male-55-64-in-Adapter-37-0109-98/202243060

[Clawhammer]

Followed the guidance here and the results are brilliant! Check out those big fat bubbles coming out going straight out of the water and into the air :) The discus liked the change so much they hung out in the new, non-microbubbly water. Thanks everyone...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHT8KcpVwf8

[Kyla]

awesome! yah the bubbles still come out of mine too, but they are large, like the sponge gathers all the tiny microbubbles into one large bubble which exits the tube and pops at the surface immediately. glad it worked out, and i love ur fish, they sure do look happy :)

[Kyla]

Dhavalsp - were u able to rig something up and get some better results?

[Dhavalsp]

Followed the guidance here and the results are brilliant! Check out those big fat bubbles coming out going straight out of the water and into the air :) The discus liked the change so much they hung out in the new, non-microbubbly water. Thanks everyone...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHT8KcpVwf8

This is exactly what I am going to do, what is your flow rate on that tube? the sponge on mine just get pushed out easily.

Kyla, I just stuffed my python with Fluval polishing pads and it worked out well...I think adding that 200 micron sock may help more...will get that one today...

[Clawhammer]

This is exactly what I am going to do, what is your flow rate on that tube? the sponge on mine just get pushed out easily.

Kyla, I just stuffed my python with Fluval polishing pads and it worked out well...I think adding that 200 micron sock may help more...will get that one today...

Not sure the flow rate, it is straight from my tap and I get pretty good water pressure. As the bubbles built up in the sponges in the tube, so did the pressure. Eventually the clear tube disconnected from the blue base as it was already loose. I silicone epoxied it back together and now there is no problem. I attached the sock at the end with a zip tie and pulled it tight as can be with pliers and this keeps the sponges in place.