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SNM Overflow Bubble Trap Controls Salt Spray and Reduces Noise

SNM is a reef equipment manufacturer out of Japan that specializes in acrylic work. Their simple DB overflow drain system is nothing radical, but it is simple, effective and I have yet to see a product like it in the U.S.. It is a removable bubble trap device for your sump, that does not present [...]

SNM Bubble Trap cover a

SNM is a reef equipment manufacturer out of Japan that specializes in acrylic work. Their simple DB overflow drain system is nothing radical, but it is simple, effective and I have yet to see a product like it in the U.S.. It is a removable bubble trap device for your sump, that does not present nitrate issues like filter socks unfortunately can.

SNM Bubble Trap

 Baffles can achieve the same thing, but if you have any bubbles, salt spray is an issue. This product takes care of that by eliminating the bubbles in a closed container (with a small air inlet). Taking care of splashing, micro bubbles, and drain noise. A similar design can be implemented directly into sumps, or created with acrylic as a removable piece. Another idea when designing your next system.

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  • Matt
    In looking at this pic, http://yadokariya.up.seesaa.net/image/snm_drop.jpg, definitely some skimming happening, why not drop the pipe from the tank into a downdraft-type skimmer (like the ETSS shown in the same pic?!?).
  • Matt
    So do you get some protein skimming with this as well? @Tetsuo, how do you use ozone in conjunction with this? I'd worry a little bubbling it in like a counter-current protein skimmer.... But suppose you could bubble it in on the pipe from the tank....
  • Richard from TX
    thanks glassbox for the great info! here it is..

    http://www.maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=52063
  • ?Muggz
    Here is one DIY example for the overflow pipe.
    I never used the pipe, but I heard that some people put some parts at the top of pipe to avoid falling down the live stocks.
    As you can image easily, it creates a lot of noise because of the falling water to the sump.

    http://www.netpc.jp/sakurapet/shouhin/3jukan/3j...
  • Richard from TX
    How would you use this on inch pipe would this work with 1 inch return pvc do they sell that screwon plumbing at home depot or anything like that? That would be great if they did. I plan to build one similar but not sure how I want to attach my pvc to this. I was maybe just thinking of a slip fitting and weldon a coupler to it
  • Muggz
    @TAKA, I once thought of doing something like that, but couldn't figure out how to solve the plumbing underneath. How do they get the return into the drain? And is it difficult to maintain something like that when there's so little space? I assumed there's some kind of bulkhead between the return and drain, but what happens when something gets stuck in the drain between the bulkhead and return piping? Maybe it's not as complicated as I think it would have to be...

    I could see the above overflow drain being a huge improvement for a design like that though, I imagine splashback and saltcreep would be an issue once it exits into the sump.
  • Richard from TX
    oh i see..Do you know why they left the bottom open? Do you know where the water level should be when placed in the sump?
  • It set up in the sump.
    http://yadokariya.up.seesaa.net/image/snm_drop.jpg

    Some acrylic is on the bottom, but not entirely.
    http://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/chanet/44701....
  • Richard from TX
    so this bubble trap is not built into the sump but just sits in the sump? do you have any other pics of this ? Is there acrylic on the bottom of this it does not look like there is but i could be wrong.
  • @Richard, the trap sites inside the sump, but is not built into it. The bottom is not sealed, but uses the bottom pane of the sump to "seal".
  • Muggz,
    Are you looking for this? (7th picture from the top.)
    http://www.wave-creation.com/newpage1%20of%20op...
  • Richard from TX
    wow i think im going to throw away my crappy filter socks and build one of these guys
  • Muggz
    PS: Love the website, by the way!
  • Muggz
    Great, thanks Eric.
    Can that design be used as an overflow in the centre of a tank (i.e. for a 4-sided viewable)?
  • @Muggz, they can be used in that manner, but are most often placed in the corner. Thanks for the kinds words and welcome.
  • @Muggz, I am not sure of any websites that show the actual design. This weekend I will go through my old HD and look for the photos I have.
  • Muggz
    @Eric, would you be able to point me in the right direction (website or otherwise) for how these "japanese cylinder overflows with built in standpipes and returns" work?

    I'm new to DIY tanks, and just piecing ideas together for a future project. I think this is the design I've been looking for, but haven't been able to figure it out without seeing an actual picture.
  • Tetsuo
    Hi!

    This one is useful as an Ozone mixer.
    I saw Mr. Endo add Ozone into this box.

    All water through to this bow and satellize effectively.

    I made this box using PP, but PP was broken easily by oxidants. Please use acrylic or VC whenever use as ozone mixer.
  • David Lee
    Any chance we can order these products from the US?
  • Jon 'hahnmeister'
    http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread....

    Here... the above methods are all based on the same idea. Make a large chamber for the water lose velocity in, and the bubbles to rise up and release that air through a small vent. Still, the air coming out of that vent will be very humid and still result in some salt creep... which is why using a dual standpipe/herbie method is still the way to go... eliminate the mixing of air and water in the drain lines in the first place.
  • Jon 'hahnmeister'
    Splashing and bubbles should be a non-issue with a dual standpipe method Eric, FWIW. But yes, you are right, a majority do not use this method (although they should).

    Those boxes function the same as what some might refer to as a 'reverse durso'. Prugs, a member by that name at Reef Central and Wisconsin Reef Society, came up with a method based on this as well... identical function to the boxes mentioned above...
    http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.ph...

    Something easily made with some PVC fittings.
  • stunreefer
    This is a neat idea, and I could honestly implement one on my new tank, however my filter sock pulls out all kinds of detrius and excess foods, where this would not. All detrius seemingly would go straight into the sump after running through the OF bubble trap. If you change out the socks frequently, you do not run into NO3 issues.

    Regardless I think it's a good idea, thanks for sharing!
  • It can DIY very easily. I know one guy in Japan to make similar bubble trap with $1 plastic trash can.
    Anyway, the main purpose of this product is not only for bubble trap. It is to prevent splashing the water coming from the main tank and making solid salt around the sump. Also, it also increases the dissolved oxygen level.
    SNM is making pretty neat product with acrylic.
  • very cool, anyone have a link to the herbie method?
  • Ian
    Id like to see those as well Eric...
  • @Jon, a small minority use the double stand pipe. (Single dursos are by far the most prevalent, you know this). Even with the 'herbie' method when pushing strong flow through them or big drops, splashing can be an issue.

    I'll have to show you some of the japanese cylinder overflows with built in standpipes and returns. No micros, compact and quiet.
  • Jon 'hahnmeister'
    We dont need that stuff because we just use double standpipe (aka 'Herbie') overflows anyways which means no bubbles or noise in the first place...lol.
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