First year on vacuum. I used bags last year.

10 taps on 5/16 line and flat surface with surflow vacuum pump. There is a vacuum gauge before the pump, and the pump simply empties into a large bucket.

Sometimes I notice the bubbles going backwards (away from pump) and then they will reverse direction. Does this mean I have a leak somewhere?

I run the pump 24/7 (even when below freezing) and have a 60w bulb in the container to try to keep things from freezing. The container is not insulated. I'll probably switch to a cooler next year to better protect it.

Here's a video showing a possible leak at the T before the pump.

https://youtube.com/shorts/y-5kN7K796U?feature=share