Noisy Return Plumbing

ImprezaSTi · 05/12/2009, 01:18 AM

Hi everyone, I setup a sump not too long ago, and the noises coming from my return plumbing is starting to annoy me. The return pump (ocean runner 2500) runs silent when it is not connected to anything, so I would assume the noise is coming from the vibrations of the pump with the plumbing.

I used PVC and PVC glue to do the return plumbing, and I am wondering if the noise will go away if I use the flexible material instead. I've seen it used in pics in other setups, but have no clue what it is or how its used. If the flexible material does reduce noise, will it be sufficient if I attach a small piece (say.. a foot) of the flexible plumbing to my pump and connect that to PVC ?

Thanks in advanced.

der_wille_zur_macht · 05/12/2009, 06:52 AM

Using a length of hose between the pump and plumbing will help a bit. Also, try to pad the plumbing anywhere that it touches other objects - so if it passes along the back of the stand, zip-tie some foam rubber or an old cut up mousepad to the plumbing where it rubs.

Also, if you are running that pump externally, consider putting some padding underneath it. An old mousepad works well here, too.

thegrun · 05/12/2009, 07:29 AM

Flex connections and isolation pads will help a little, but the head pressure causing the impeller to make noise is probably the major contributor to the noise problem.

ImprezaSTi · 05/18/2009, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by thegrun
Flex connections and isolation pads will help a little, but the head pressure causing the impeller to make noise is probably the major contributor to the noise problem.

Ah ok, thats what it must be. That would mean theres no way to reduce the noise, other than getting a bigger pump?

Whys · 05/18/2009, 04:22 AM

Out of curiosity, how tall is the water column from your pump to the display tank water level? Are you running it internal or external?

WhoDey64 · 05/18/2009, 07:12 AM

If you have it hooked to your system with all hard PVC then save yourself the cost of a new pump and install flexible PVC between the pump and the first section of hard PVC. Its a great shock absorber.

ImprezaSTi · 05/18/2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whys
Out of curiosity, how tall is the water column from your pump to the display tank water level? Are you running it internal or external?

4.5 feet. Using the pump internally, rated at 650gph.

Quote:

Originally posted by WhoDey64
If you have it hooked to your system with all hard PVC then save yourself the cost of a new pump and install flexible PVC between the pump and the first section of hard PVC. Its a great shock absorber.

Thats what I thought at first, but I wasn't too sure it was that because the noise is still there if I hold the plumbing with my hand (shock absorber). Once thegrun said it was head pressure, I knew thats what it was.

Whys · 05/18/2009, 03:11 PM

I couldn't find a graph, but based on max head (7.5 to 8.5 feet)the pump's head loss is probably a little past half. I'm not familiar with that particular pump, but that doesn't sound like the problem to me.

Open up your pump and clean it out. There could be blockage in the impeller. Otherwise, a bit of flexible tubing could be a good idea for internal use. Externals have the benefit of mounting screws and optional padding. Internals just have suction cups.

Hope this helps.

05/12/2009, 01:18 AM	#1
ImprezaSTi Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 167	Noisy Return Plumbing Hi everyone, I setup a sump not too long ago, and the noises coming from my return plumbing is starting to annoy me. The return pump (ocean runner 2500) runs silent when it is not connected to anything, so I would assume the noise is coming from the vibrations of the pump with the plumbing. I used PVC and PVC glue to do the return plumbing, and I am wondering if the noise will go away if I use the flexible material instead. I've seen it used in pics in other setups, but have no clue what it is or how its used. If the flexible material does reduce noise, will it be sufficient if I attach a small piece (say.. a foot) of the flexible plumbing to my pump and connect that to PVC ? Thanks in advanced.

05/12/2009, 06:52 AM	#2
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	Using a length of hose between the pump and plumbing will help a bit. Also, try to pad the plumbing anywhere that it touches other objects - so if it passes along the back of the stand, zip-tie some foam rubber or an old cut up mousepad to the plumbing where it rubs. Also, if you are running that pump externally, consider putting some padding underneath it. An old mousepad works well here, too. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

05/18/2009, 07:12 AM	#6
WhoDey64 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ft Lauderdale Florida Posts: 1,311	If you have it hooked to your system with all hard PVC then save yourself the cost of a new pump and install flexible PVC between the pump and the first section of hard PVC. Its a great shock absorber. __________________ My name is Robert and I am addicted to Nitrates.

05/12/2009, 07:29 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Flex connections and isolation pads will help a little, but the head pressure causing the impeller to make noise is probably the major contributor to the noise problem.

05/18/2009, 04:22 AM	#5
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Out of curiosity, how tall is the water column from your pump to the display tank water level? Are you running it internal or external?

05/18/2009, 03:11 PM	#8
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	I couldn't find a graph, but based on max head (7.5 to 8.5 feet)the pump's head loss is probably a little past half. I'm not familiar with that particular pump, but that doesn't sound like the problem to me. Open up your pump and clean it out. There could be blockage in the impeller. Otherwise, a bit of flexible tubing could be a good idea for internal use. Externals have the benefit of mounting screws and optional padding. Internals just have suction cups. Hope this helps.