Sump Is Burping

cm11599ps · 03/21/2011, 04:37 PM

I just moved my tank to it's proper position last night after having it out from the wall for a few days for setup and leak testing. I have a custom built sump/fuge from Lifereef and a Lifereek overflow.

While I had the tank out from the wall I was able to get a pretty silent setup by positioning the drain line a certain way. This way is NOT possible now that the tank is against the wall.

The water levels in my overflow box are constantly raising and lowering. Both the inside and outside boxes. The sump is burping as all that air is getting into it. Very loud. I set the tank up last night and had to turn it off to go to sleep even though it was in another room.

Is there a particular way to run the drain line? Will increasing/decreasing the return pump do anything?

reeftivo · 03/21/2011, 05:14 PM

most likely air build up in the drain line. You may want to check out the herbie method.

pics would help

ynotb · 03/22/2011, 08:00 AM

I have seen this with a 55 gallon tank start up I helped with...the overflow U didn't have enough flow. As a temporary fix, I added a piece of 1/2" tubing to increase the flow and it stopped the burping.

moondoggy4 · 03/22/2011, 12:29 PM

Check your drain line do you have a big bend on it?

hypnoj · 03/22/2011, 02:41 PM

sometimes these drains need to be restricted a little bit to work properly. while it's draining cup your hand slightly over the end of the drain down in the sump and slightly restrict the flow. If the burping stops, you have your answer and just need to find a way to restrict your flow from your display to sump.

cm11599ps · 03/22/2011, 04:45 PM

I just cut about 8-10" from the drain line and it appears to do the trick. It's more of a straight run then before. The overflow seems to be doing well too.

I'm curious about the return pump though. It's a mag9 that's also feeding a fuge. The return ball valve is at about 8 at 2 and the fuge feed is about the same.The water level in the outside part of the overflow is at about the top of the drain pipe. It doesn't seem to be a high GPH but ti's the only way I was able to balance everything out. If I add more flow then the sump burbs and the water entering the inside part of the overflow is too loud.

FWIW, I have 4 425 gph powerheads in there so I'm guessing around 2,000 gph turnover. It's a 55 gallon.

I"m happy and I'm sure my wife will be happy when she gets home because it's quiet. All you can hear is a slight hum from the pump, a fan on my lights and a slight trickle of water. Should I be worried about throttling the mag back so much?

moondoggy4 · 03/22/2011, 07:30 PM

The Mag 9 is recommended for the Lifereef small overflow. If the flow is too slow you will get bubbles in the U turn. How far does the water fall in the first box that is in your tank?

cm11599ps · 03/22/2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

The Mag 9 is recommended for the Lifereef small overflow. If the flow is too slow you will get bubbles in the U turn. How far does the water fall in the first box that is in your tank?

Right now it is working beautifully and is silent. From the bottom of the teeth to the top of the water is about 5".

03/21/2011, 04:37 PM	#1
cm11599ps Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Port Jefferson Station, NY Posts: 1,413	Sump Is Burping I just moved my tank to it's proper position last night after having it out from the wall for a few days for setup and leak testing. I have a custom built sump/fuge from Lifereef and a Lifereek overflow. While I had the tank out from the wall I was able to get a pretty silent setup by positioning the drain line a certain way. This way is NOT possible now that the tank is against the wall. The water levels in my overflow box are constantly raising and lowering. Both the inside and outside boxes. The sump is burping as all that air is getting into it. Very loud. I set the tank up last night and had to turn it off to go to sleep even though it was in another room. Is there a particular way to run the drain line? Will increasing/decreasing the return pump do anything? __________________ LIRA Member Current Tank - 55 gallon. Custom CLF1 sump, fuge, overflow & SVS2-24 skimmer from Lifereef. 4x54 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture W/ 4 Lunar LEDs. 2 EcoTech MP40's, 70lbs assorted

03/21/2011, 05:14 PM	#2
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	most likely air build up in the drain line. You may want to check out the herbie method. pics would help __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller

03/22/2011, 04:45 PM	#6
cm11599ps Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Port Jefferson Station, NY Posts: 1,413	I just cut about 8-10" from the drain line and it appears to do the trick. It's more of a straight run then before. The overflow seems to be doing well too. I'm curious about the return pump though. It's a mag9 that's also feeding a fuge. The return ball valve is at about 8 at 2 and the fuge feed is about the same.The water level in the outside part of the overflow is at about the top of the drain pipe. It doesn't seem to be a high GPH but ti's the only way I was able to balance everything out. If I add more flow then the sump burbs and the water entering the inside part of the overflow is too loud. FWIW, I have 4 425 gph powerheads in there so I'm guessing around 2,000 gph turnover. It's a 55 gallon. I"m happy and I'm sure my wife will be happy when she gets home because it's quiet. All you can hear is a slight hum from the pump, a fan on my lights and a slight trickle of water. Should I be worried about throttling the mag back so much? __________________ LIRA Member Current Tank - 55 gallon. Custom CLF1 sump, fuge, overflow & SVS2-24 skimmer from Lifereef. 4x54 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture W/ 4 Lunar LEDs. 2 EcoTech MP40's, 70lbs assorted

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03/22/2011, 08:00 AM	#3
ynotb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Burlington, Vt. Posts: 26	I have seen this with a 55 gallon tank start up I helped with...the overflow U didn't have enough flow. As a temporary fix, I added a piece of 1/2" tubing to increase the flow and it stopped the burping.

03/22/2011, 12:29 PM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Check your drain line do you have a big bend on it?

03/22/2011, 02:41 PM	#5
hypnoj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 952	sometimes these drains need to be restricted a little bit to work properly. while it's draining cup your hand slightly over the end of the drain down in the sump and slightly restrict the flow. If the burping stops, you have your answer and just need to find a way to restrict your flow from your display to sump.

03/22/2011, 07:30 PM	#7
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	The Mag 9 is recommended for the Lifereef small overflow. If the flow is too slow you will get bubbles in the U turn. How far does the water fall in the first box that is in your tank?