overflow box drainage noise.

[reefD]

I know this is a common thing that most would say get used to it but i also know some would say foam helps reduce noise ...my question is are there any ideas? i think about foam but not only do i not want to clean it what if it gets pushed down and clogs the flow. that would suck and require taking things apart. so any thourghts. >? it sounds like a pipe leaking/draining and bothers me. (makes me want to go to the bathroom.)

[BrokeColoReefer]

is there a durso standpipe installed? I have never heard a loud durso..

[mrvinman]

I have the AquaSilencer (Stockman Standpipe).

The noise is better but nowhere I'd like it to be.
It's still noisy. If you have any other suggestions, I'd sure like to hear them.

The loud gurgling is gone, but it sounds like I have a constant pot of water boiling on the stove.

[reefD]

okay i work at a lfs and got some good advice. first is a bit extensive buts ounds possible. one guy said that he added a valve half way in the return hose from over flow to sump. he restricted flow just enough to make the water in the outside part of over flow rise high enough that the water wasnt cascading into the tube ...thus no sound!
another guy said to put an airline tubing into it as it will help with the sound some how. im gonna try the airline first tommarow. ill keep all updated.

[mrvinman]

The first thing I tried was the airline tube.
At first I thought, hey, not bad. But I found I had to constantly adjust the airline tube because the gurgling noise kept coming back and loud too. It just wasn't working.

That's when I got the AquaSilencer. It's definitely better than before but really not where I want it to be (My wife hates the noise!).

Adding a valve to restrict the water flow might work for the noise but then you're turning the water in your tank over at a lower GPH. That kind of bothers me.

To be continued...

[reefD]

true but with me i like less water flow from sump...my reason.....i use algea scrubbing for filtration. in otherwords even the 50-80 gallons per houyr that returns from sump ...is clean prestine nitrate free water. eventually the stability and nutrients are reduced to zero. but ii do feel what your saying and understand the other issues that could arise from a valve. ill try the airline and see what i think. thanks ...you guys are fast and furious!

[bbehring]

ReefD, 54 gal corner bow AGA RR, I have a gatevalve installed between the overflow bulkhead and the sump specifically for this reason. It was a tight fit to get the valve in, but just squeaked by. Like you am planning a algea refugium so small reduction in flow would be ok and plan to use the gate valve to do just as you stated above, raise the flow in the box slightly to eliminate the flushing noise. Not sure what the aquaSilencer is? Is this the unit that is similar to the durso, but supplied by megaflow as their brand? If so I have this installed. I have everything plumbed and will be wet testing today/tomorrow. Also have a closed loop installed with OceansMotions 4 way squirt and panworld 50x pump. Drilled 6 holes, 3 in each side. 1 each side for supply (1") and 2 each side for return (3/4"). With my mag 5 running my sump am planning around 15x tank turnover volumn. Also will have the freedom flow box with skimmer and mag 7 pump HOT in the tank which will get me in the neighborhood of 20x turnover. Should work pretty well. All real tight to plum into and under the 54 gallon stand.

[reefD]

bro i love your set up. mag 5 .......some would say is weak ...i have a mag9 thats valved ,down, to redouse flow. mag 5 sounds peerfect! keep me updated how this works as im highly interested! stick with the idea of keeping flow to sump and display lower than most would like as i have had multiply success with doing just that (MO). but mainly let me know how the valve works to reduce noise from overflow drainage to sump. the noise is crazy. havnt tried tubing yet.....best luck
reefd

[bbehring]

reefD what size is your tank? How much do you need to throttle down the mag9? I was thinking of dumpng my mag 5 and going to mag 7 or 9. Do you know the physical size of the mag9 you have?

[mrvinman]

I previously told you I wasn't thrilled with the AquaSilencer which was designed by Ken Stockman.

I communicated with him and he has since designed a new one, so I bought one from him to test it and I have to tell you I'm quite happy with it. The water noise is GONE! Before, I couldn't hear the pumps because of the water noise, now I hear them.
Water noise has been nullified.

He told me if you are interested you can contact him.

http://home.nc.rr.com/stockmanreef/

He also said if you need one for a HOB (which is what I'm using)
to go to Judy's Fish Place on EBAY and be sure to ask for the new design.
Hope this helps.

[jeffgp]

i have a a 2" down pipe from my overflow and the best thing i did was pit the end of the down pipe into the water to exit below the water line . and i sue a rio 2100 for the retun pump and i think its too small and should have gotten something bigger like the 3100 or a external .. maybe next year

[jacmyoung]

...Adding a valve to restrict the water flow might work for the noise but then you're turning the water in your tank over at a lower GPH. That kind of bothers me.

To be continued...

Restricting flow from the overflow box to the sump does not reduce the actual water flow (turnover) rate in the tank or sump, because the flow is determined by the return pump. The silent drain is discussed in this thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=344892

[sjm817]

There are several problems with high flow between display and sump. Noise is one of them. Keep the flow low. You dont need a lot of flow between the display and sump anyway. I would not restrict the drain, especially on a setup with an HOB overflow. It can cause a flood problem.

[bbehring]

mrvinman did the newly redesigned aquasilencer (stockman) unit stop the flushing sound and bubbles in the sump?

[reefD]

im not concerned with splashing. im speaking of the vacume that the water can create when it falls from the overflow down drain tube to the sump. from the opening drain area on the outside part of overflow box a noise is created like a gurgling sucttion noise. just to clear up what i mean. thanks all.

[staticx]

I was talking with my lfs the other day and the whole store doesnt use your typical overflow box due to the noise. first do you have a built in over flow or a hang over the back >>>
if you have a built in this probly no good for you but put a hole in back of your tank 3/4 in the water then connect your drain hose attach a plugged pvc pipe to the end with several holes in it have it three quarters of the way in the water and 1/4 out that way you get 0 noise and does not create enough suction to suck in fish or cause problems

[DrHank]

Build a Duro! The plans are in a thread on the DIY forum. My overflow went from always annoying to almost silent in less than 5 minutes (how long it took to make and install). You'll be happy you did!

[Steverino]

Dr Hank, you mean a Durso?

[DrHank]

Yes indeed. I guess I should check for typos. Thanks!

[ken6217]

Originally posted by mrvinman

At first I thought, hey, not bad. But I found I had to constantly adjust t
Adding a valve to restrict the water flow might work for the noise but then you're turning the water in your tank over at a lower GPH. That kind of bothers me.

To be continued... [/B]

No you're not. What you are doing with the valve is closing it down some so that you are decreasing the amount of air that is getting sucked down. You need to close down enough so that the noise stops and that the water in the tank and sump remain the same as before.

How can you reduce the flow? The pump will pump same volume. The only thing that will happen if you restrict to much is that you will drain the sump because the amount of water is not getting back to the sump quick enough.

Ken

[DancinBumbleBee]

There was a Durso on the first Overflow I used, and not only did it limit the flow, but it was still loud. I upgraded to a larger capacity overflow and just put a whole foam block over the outlet, I clean it at the same time I clean my sock. The other thing that helped mine a lot is the cover that you get with the CPR overflows. it's just a piece of acrylic that sits over the top of the back, but it cuts down seriously on the noise! The only noise I have now is coming from my skimmer, Ugh, that's annoying.

[DrHank]

3/4" pvc is 3/4", 1" is 1". Unless the durso is constructed with smaller pvc than the skimmer box drain, you can't reduce flow. The water level level in the overflow box will rise (it's supposed to) but the flow won't be restricted. My overflow is a CPR. Don't buy a durso, make it yourself. That way you will know it's done correctly.

[reefD]

thanks guys! i fixed it with airline tubing. i have a hang on overflow and it worked for me. i dont mind the sound of water falling but this was a suctioning sound and the airline tubing worked! thanks again. great info about the durso stand as i have experience and will remember your advice! thanks again! great info!

[bbehring]

Yep airline tubing worked great for me also. I have internal overflow box with durso standpipe. Drilled a 5/16" hole and inserted about a 4 foot long piece of 1/4" OD tubing. Also installed a 1" gate valve between the 1" overflow bulkhead and the sump, then elbowed over with a T and vented a stack up to the top of the tank with a plug with drilled 1/8" hole. Used the gate valve to adjust ever so slightly and now the system is dead silent except for the hum of the pumps.

[kstockman]

mrvinman- Thanks for the positive review on the new design. I did it to make my life easier when I make the Aquasilencer. I guess the added benefit is that the desing is more effective.

The whole point of the air tube is so that you don't restrict the flow or air the to standpipe. If it is restricted, then you will get the flushing effect, when the pipe turns into a siphon. The air tube allows air to get in and to baffle the noise. If you listen to the end of the tube you will hear the gurgling.

I will be working on a device to counter act the air entering the sump. To eliminate the microbubbles and the noise. Top secret at this point--otherwise All-Glass Aquariums would steal the idea.

Cheers
ken