New Guy sump/refu plumbing

skunkreef · 07/15/2007, 09:24 PM

This is all PVC except the return line to the tank..

Guys,

I need a little advise.....

I bought a new tank instead of drilling the other 75gal. and it is a marineland with the corner overflow. I have a fuge/sump setup in a 30gal. under the tank. The overflow drain tube has a series of slots that are curved of a 45 degree angle cut into the pipe. The drain is then T's into a ball valve to trickle water in the fuge side and then other end of the pipe drains in the bio-balls and threw the baffels into the sump side. I am getting a lot of splashing noises in the baffle where the large pipe drains.. I am getting some flushing noise from the overflow pipe.. I have foam on the overflow pipe in the tank overflow to try to lessen the noise. What might Ibe doing wrong? Should I take the heavy waterflow and put the pipe below the waterline in the bio-ball chamber? Or take the drain pipe and bypass the bio-balls all together? I have a protime skimmer setup on the sump side also.. I have a TON of micro bubbles right now.. New tank so nothing to harm yet! Thanks!

skunkreef · 07/16/2007, 09:06 AM

BUMP for some help! Thanks

audleon · 07/16/2007, 09:36 AM

Not much help here, but I don't think you would need the bio balls with an adequate supply of Live Rock. The Live Rock will actually do a great job in providing you with your biological filtration. Also, you can try some of the mods listed on Reef Central with your overflow such as Durso Standpipes, etc. to lessen the noise in the overflow. Just do a search for Durso, etc. As for the splashing,,,I've had the same problems before. I tried using a 100 micron bag on the end of my drain and that helped a little, but never completely go rid of the noise. Maybe the splashing is being enhanced by not having the proper air relief on your overflow?,,,kinda like pouring water from a 5 gallon water jug, whenever air enters, it creates turbulence in the water and creates more splashing. Also, make sure that your skimmers return is not too close to the return to help with the micro bubbles in the tank. The baffles should be helping with the bubbles, but it sounds like all the splashing is just causing all the symptoms you are describing.

Sorry I'm not much help, just wanted to let you know we've all been there and done that, just takes a little experimentation sometimes depending on the setup. There is no place for better info though than on Reef Central.

Take care and GL! Maybe some of the pros will chime in and offer their advice.

Danny

07/15/2007, 09:24 PM	#1
skunkreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 103	New Guy sump/refu plumbing This is all PVC except the return line to the tank.. Guys, I need a little advise..... I bought a new tank instead of drilling the other 75gal. and it is a marineland with the corner overflow. I have a fuge/sump setup in a 30gal. under the tank. The overflow drain tube has a series of slots that are curved of a 45 degree angle cut into the pipe. The drain is then T's into a ball valve to trickle water in the fuge side and then other end of the pipe drains in the bio-balls and threw the baffels into the sump side. I am getting a lot of splashing noises in the baffle where the large pipe drains.. I am getting some flushing noise from the overflow pipe.. I have foam on the overflow pipe in the tank overflow to try to lessen the noise. What might Ibe doing wrong? Should I take the heavy waterflow and put the pipe below the waterline in the bio-ball chamber? Or take the drain pipe and bypass the bio-balls all together? I have a protime skimmer setup on the sump side also.. I have a TON of micro bubbles right now.. New tank so nothing to harm yet! Thanks!

07/16/2007, 09:06 AM	#2
skunkreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 103	BUMP for some help! Thanks

07/16/2007, 09:36 AM	#3
audleon Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 61	Not much help here, but I don't think you would need the bio balls with an adequate supply of Live Rock. The Live Rock will actually do a great job in providing you with your biological filtration. Also, you can try some of the mods listed on Reef Central with your overflow such as Durso Standpipes, etc. to lessen the noise in the overflow. Just do a search for Durso, etc. As for the splashing,,,I've had the same problems before. I tried using a 100 micron bag on the end of my drain and that helped a little, but never completely go rid of the noise. Maybe the splashing is being enhanced by not having the proper air relief on your overflow?,,,kinda like pouring water from a 5 gallon water jug, whenever air enters, it creates turbulence in the water and creates more splashing. Also, make sure that your skimmers return is not too close to the return to help with the micro bubbles in the tank. The baffles should be helping with the bubbles, but it sounds like all the splashing is just causing all the symptoms you are describing. Sorry I'm not much help, just wanted to let you know we've all been there and done that, just takes a little experimentation sometimes depending on the setup. There is no place for better info though than on Reef Central. Take care and GL! Maybe some of the pros will chime in and offer their advice. Danny