overflows sounds like nigara falls

[gixxerboy707]

I have a 120 gallon tank with duel in tank over flows in each corner of the tank. There's a 1" return on the left and a 1.5" return on the right and a iwaki 40 xlrt pump as the return pump from the sump. My problem is that when i turn on the return pump the over the freakin overflows sound like nigara falls with a suction noise coming from the small return overflow and the splashing noise is deafing to say the least, please help I fear that I'm going deaf

[an411]

Is the water level high enough in the main tank

[mwwhite]

I'd have asked the same question, but about the overflow box water level. In other words, is the durso standpipe tall enough?

Does the water in the overflow rise and fall? The suction noise makes me suspect that the vent holes in the durso may not be large enough (or there may not be enough of them if you opt for more than one).

[gixxerboy707]

the water flow does rise and fall do i need to drill a bigger hole in the cap?

[IHOP]

could air be getting traped in your return hose?

[Dubbin1]

Originally posted by gixxerboy707
the water flow does rise and fall do i need to drill a bigger hole in the cap?

Its either that or you have too big of a hole in it already.

[AquamanE]

I have the same problem. I called Perfecto (the manufacturer of my tank, and overflow). they told me the overflow needed some restriction to slow down the flow into the sump. they call it "flushing". i restricted that a little, and it helped a little, i am getting ready to restrict it some more.

BUT that does nothing for "niagra falls", only for the flushing sound, from the drain.

[IHOP]

What are you using to restrict the line?

[Phyxius]

Restricting the line will help but be careful. A snail or the like could get in the line and get stuck behind whatever you are restricting it with. Result is the pump keeps pumping , the water wont leave the tank as fast as its coming in and then Niagra falls on your floor. I think that perfecto does not use snail guards or the like on the end of the their overflow assemblies if I remember right. If they dont you may want to rig something up to keep them from getting in to it.

[AquamanE]

I put a 1 1/4" PVC inside the 1 5/8 clear plastic return, droping it a few 16ths. Like I said it only helped a little, yet noticable.

Again I plan in prob "t"ing the pvc and resticting to 2 x 1" or 3/4", depending on what it allows.

Of course did nothing for the, as you perfectly described, " niagra falls". I'd like a solution to this myself.

[jackets22]

http://www.dursostandpipes.com/

maybe this will help... Looks to have alot of info

[AquamanE]

Phyxius- Its a 1 3/4" ID PVC with an equal sized "U" at the end. big snail required to occlude. But i agree in resticting to much at the sump end, and not keeping up with return, that is my concern also.

[Phyxius]

You should be ok then. I was thinking in the lines of putting a gate valve or ball valve on the line as the method of restricting the flow. They can be bad as I mentioned.
Restricting it or slowing it down using PVC "U"s and bends is a much safer method.

[AquamanE]

Gixxerboy- i just restricted the overflow with a ball valve. the "toilet flushing" sound is GONE!!!!!!!!!! Now i hear my fans. I was so happy my fans were quiet.

The niagra falls sound was coming from the fact that my return tube goes through the "grates" of the overflow and was causing 98% of the niagra falls sound. Slowed the flow through there and Whalahhhh! Who turned on the fans!!

I will do what Phyxius recommends though and make the overflow "snail" proof.

[slapshot16]

I just had a similar problem. I added a filter sock to the drain line and it help with the noise.

[AquamanE]

Filter sock will not slow the return noise (flushing toilet), but will likelt help with micro bubbles, and the noise of water hitting the sump.