Anyone try this filter trick?

[Chrona]

I had an idea after the water intake pipe on a small HOB power filter developed a crack. Air verrrry slowly leaked in, and every 2 seconds or so, a bubble would get sucked into the impeller, creating a cloud of mini-bubbles. Has anyone ever tried drilling a pinhole into the water intake pipe above the waterline to induce this effect, and are there any negative consequences to this? I figure this is a cool way to aerate the water, not to mention it provides more oxygen to the bacteria in the filter, which in turn takes less from the water. The hole would have to be very small of course, or the flow rate of the filter would be effected. Heck, would it be possible to rig a DIY Soda bottle CO2 reactor line so that it feeds a tiny stream of bubbles directly into the pipe?

[cocoa_pleco]

good idea. But, wouldnt all the air harm the impeller?

[Lady Hobbs]

My not just run a line of aquarium glue down that crack and see if you can seal it up.

[f1oored]

I think he likes the bubbles and was wondering if anyone did this on purpose. I just use a powerhead for the same effect but this is an interesting idea, especially for the bacteria in the filter media.

[cocoa_pleco]

if the crack is undesired, cant you buy a new intake instead of glueing it?

[Chrona]

Nono, the crack was a complete accident, but the effect, whether positive or negative, got me thinking. I know some people like to put their air stone right in front of their filter intake so the water is better oxygenated and distributed as the big bubbles get chopped up by the impeller, so this seemed like a cheaper/easier way to do it.

I would be drilling a tiny hole on purpose, maybe even siliconing a barb fitting to it so that I could attach a soda bottle CO2 reactor when needed ^.^

The idea is to let air in VERY slowly, no more than 1 small bubble a second in my 10 gallon filter. Any more (I tried pulling the intake flow control valve out a little to let air in) and the pump will put out noticeably less water.

As for harming the pump, I don't see why it would, since the bubbles are dispersed outwards and not into the magnetic part pump. Correct me if I'm wrong, since I'm trying to figure out if there are any bad consequences for doing this. If not, I'm gonna do it to all my power filters :)

[cocoa_pleco]

should be good i guess

[zeon]

Another really old post, but I am really interested to know if this worked out for you. I am Setting up my 29 Gallon long tank for plants and this would be a great solution for me to be able to inject the co2 directly into the water intake tube stream to be chopped up by the impeller. I do realize that you would have to drill the hole slowly and very carefully (hubby is good for that :hmm3grin2orange: ) to prevent it from cracking and ruining the intake tube. Any input is appreciated.

[kkevvy]

Another really old post, but I am really interested to know if this worked out for you. I am Setting up my 29 Gallon long tank for plants and this would be a great solution for me to be able to inject the co2 directly into the water intake tube stream to be chopped up by the impeller. I do realize that you would have to drill the hole slowly and very carefully (hubby is good for that :hmm3grin2orange: ) to prevent it from cracking and ruining the intake tube. Any input is appreciated.

Why not just get a ceramic or ultra-fine plastic air stone and put it in the filter? After the impeller, but it would already be ultra-fine anyway.

[RichBowyer]

As a Licensed Engineer I can assure you that Inducing air into a pump impeller is never a good idea. It is a sure way to increase wear and tear on your pump/motor assembly.

As a Licensed Engineer who is more familiar with pumps moving over 12,000 GPM I am really cluless as to how much you could play with these little tinker toy pumps and how much they can take. I'd play it safe and just buy a bubbler.
Theres my $0.02.