Power Towel
Member
I came across this totally by accident, but just recently realized what was happening.
I have a well-sealed wooden box (I used caulk in the seams, and weather stripping for the door, and that expando-foam stuff to seal the flexi-hose going out of the box).
I have a 4-inch Vortex pulling out throught the carbon cannister, and, because I was a bit lazy and didn't realize the intake port to the box needed to be larger, my intake port is probably effectively like 3.5 inch diameter hole, with a couple layers of black socks stapled on the outside to filter.
I knew I probably didn't have a big enough intake because when putting the door on/off, I notice it "sucks" into place. One thing I've been meaning to do it pop some more holes in the door, again, covering with layers of black socks, to increase ventilation. And I will probably still do that.
However, due to the vaccuum action, AND the fact that my air pump is outside of the box (air lines go into box through just-right size holes), it's like a booster to the air pump. A couple of times I noticed air lines popping off the air stones or T junctions. And I made it a point to have my reservoir access hole open, and I looked at it RIGHT when I opened the box, and saw the remnants of a LOT more bubbles.
Thus, if you have some passive vaccuum action in your box, put your air line intakes outside of the box, and enjoy some serious bubbling action! Just be sure to monitor for "big bubbly bubbles" (not the fizzy kind) because that means you popped a line down in the res.
I have a well-sealed wooden box (I used caulk in the seams, and weather stripping for the door, and that expando-foam stuff to seal the flexi-hose going out of the box).
I have a 4-inch Vortex pulling out throught the carbon cannister, and, because I was a bit lazy and didn't realize the intake port to the box needed to be larger, my intake port is probably effectively like 3.5 inch diameter hole, with a couple layers of black socks stapled on the outside to filter.
I knew I probably didn't have a big enough intake because when putting the door on/off, I notice it "sucks" into place. One thing I've been meaning to do it pop some more holes in the door, again, covering with layers of black socks, to increase ventilation. And I will probably still do that.
However, due to the vaccuum action, AND the fact that my air pump is outside of the box (air lines go into box through just-right size holes), it's like a booster to the air pump. A couple of times I noticed air lines popping off the air stones or T junctions. And I made it a point to have my reservoir access hole open, and I looked at it RIGHT when I opened the box, and saw the remnants of a LOT more bubbles.
Thus, if you have some passive vaccuum action in your box, put your air line intakes outside of the box, and enjoy some serious bubbling action! Just be sure to monitor for "big bubbly bubbles" (not the fizzy kind) because that means you popped a line down in the res.