Question about vibration from in-sump pump

ACBlinky · 08/24/2007, 12:56 AM

My glass sump cracked (and a BIG crack, three cracks radiating from a single spot actually) recently and we had a horrible time rebuilding and replacing it. We sorted out that the baffles were too tight and that was the likely cause, but my hubby has me wondering about something else now.

We've got a Mag 9.5 in the sump, attached to hard PVC plumbing, that rests on a little piece of neoprene (it's the no-slip material people use under rugs and tablecloths). We can feel the stand vibrating (it's like a hum, and you can feel it with your hand but it's not shaking, not something visible at all), and the doors sometimes make a noise because of it - I usually put a cloth between the door and the front center brace to stop it.

1) Is this normal? The pump seems fine, and I just cleaned it, it's running perfectly (always has) but I've never seen another Mag pump running to compare mine to...

2) Is the vibration going to cause the sump to crack again?

3) Would it make a difference to attach the pump to flexible hose? It seems to rest easily, not pressing on the tank bottom at all and not pulling down either, but I guess there's no way to be 100% sure it's not causing stresses on either the bottom glass of the display or the bottom of the sump

4) Any suggestions, thoughts, ideas?

jbarone · 08/24/2007, 06:28 AM

I have a 9 in my sump and yes it vibrates a bit. I think you need a little more padding under the pump. Try several layers of what your already using. If your plumbing is attached to the stand you may want to put some type of rubber isolator between the wood, the pipe, and the clamp. You can also use some felt dots and stick them on your doors.

Good luck.

JB

iwishtofish · 08/24/2007, 07:43 AM

I was able to attach 4 suction cups (from a different product) to the mounting plate on the bottom of my Eheim return pump. This solved my vibration problem by elevating the pump off the glass, and also held the pump in place.

Maybe your pump has a similar mounting plate - if not, perhaps you could superglue or epoxy a suction cup mount to your pump.

Travis L. Stevens · 08/24/2007, 08:01 AM

1) It seems a little excessive, but depending on how the pump sits and is plumbed, you might be normal.

2) It shouldn't

3) Just leave the hard pvc.

4) Check for all vibration spots. You can pick up some hobby foam at WalMart. It's right next to the little 8.5x11" felt sheets. It's the same size, but neoprene foam (I think neoprene, I can't remember). Then cut little strips and attach these (glue, tape, velcro, whatever) to contact points of moving objects (doors, canopy, etc) and where the plumbing and pump come in contact with solid objects (Tank Walls, Under Pump, Under the PVC if it hands in the display tank, etc). All the sounds will eventually go away. You can also take this and cut a large "O" out of it and put it between canopy fans and the canopy if you've hard mounted any fans. PM me for more details if you want.

ACBlinky · 08/24/2007, 08:55 AM

Thank you all so much for the feedback, I really appreciate it. I was starting to get very worried.

There are two felt dots on the stand doors, I can create some of my own and just beef up what's there - mostly I was worried about the danger of the sump cracking again, not the noise, but the noise of the doors does bug my hubby. Combined with the buzz of the MH ballast and the soft gurgling of the overflow, the area right next to the tank can get pretty noisy sometimes!

.

I have more of the neoprene that I'm using, I'll add another couple layers - it's thin, and I don't think doing this will cause any pressure from the plumbing on the bottom of the 90g, it will barely change the position of the pump. I hope not anyway - it's one thing to replace a $50 glass tank, it would be quite another to have to buy another RR 90g because I cracked (or I guess shattered if it's tempered glass...) the bottom!

Good suggestion to use more, thanks for that, it's amazing sometimes how you just don't think of the simple things on your own

.

I'm less worried now, thanks guys.

RichConley · 08/24/2007, 09:04 AM

I'd use the flex hosing. Mags vibrate a bit, and if theyre directly attached to hard pvc, it tends to act as a resonator.

Travis L. Stevens · 08/24/2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
I'd use the flex hosing. Mags vibrate a bit, and if theyre directly attached to hard pvc, it tends to act as a resonator.

I've noticed that the resonating sound comes from PVC left resting on the rim of the tank or leaning against the canopy. Once you pad under any "U"s that are hooking on to the side of the tank and make sure the return line isn't leaning on anything, the sound becomes almost inaudible.

rickh · 08/24/2007, 09:23 AM

I built a sump with a glass tank and acrylic baffles siliconed in place. Don't worry the silicone has held great for years. I totally lined the return section with acrylic. Two sides were already acrylic from the baffles, I just added the bottom and two other sides. One time I accidentally dropped a pump in a glass sump and broke it. This works great. R

08/24/2007, 12:56 AM	#1
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	Question about vibration from in-sump pump My glass sump cracked (and a BIG crack, three cracks radiating from a single spot actually) recently and we had a horrible time rebuilding and replacing it. We sorted out that the baffles were too tight and that was the likely cause, but my hubby has me wondering about something else now. We've got a Mag 9.5 in the sump, attached to hard PVC plumbing, that rests on a little piece of neoprene (it's the no-slip material people use under rugs and tablecloths). We can feel the stand vibrating (it's like a hum, and you can feel it with your hand but it's not shaking, not something visible at all), and the doors sometimes make a noise because of it - I usually put a cloth between the door and the front center brace to stop it. 1) Is this normal? The pump seems fine, and I just cleaned it, it's running perfectly (always has) but I've never seen another Mag pump running to compare mine to... 2) Is the vibration going to cause the sump to crack again? 3) Would it make a difference to attach the pump to flexible hose? It seems to rest easily, not pressing on the tank bottom at all and not pulling down either, but I guess there's no way to be 100% sure it's not causing stresses on either the bottom glass of the display or the bottom of the sump 4) Any suggestions, thoughts, ideas? __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

08/24/2007, 08:01 AM	#4
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	1) It seems a little excessive, but depending on how the pump sits and is plumbed, you might be normal. 2) It shouldn't 3) Just leave the hard pvc. 4) Check for all vibration spots. You can pick up some hobby foam at WalMart. It's right next to the little 8.5x11" felt sheets. It's the same size, but neoprene foam (I think neoprene, I can't remember). Then cut little strips and attach these (glue, tape, velcro, whatever) to contact points of moving objects (doors, canopy, etc) and where the plumbing and pump come in contact with solid objects (Tank Walls, Under Pump, Under the PVC if it hands in the display tank, etc). All the sounds will eventually go away. You can also take this and cut a large "O" out of it and put it between canopy fans and the canopy if you've hard mounted any fans. PM me for more details if you want. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

08/24/2007, 08:55 AM	#5
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	Thank you all so much for the feedback, I really appreciate it. I was starting to get very worried. There are two felt dots on the stand doors, I can create some of my own and just beef up what's there - mostly I was worried about the danger of the sump cracking again, not the noise, but the noise of the doors does bug my hubby. Combined with the buzz of the MH ballast and the soft gurgling of the overflow, the area right next to the tank can get pretty noisy sometimes! . I have more of the neoprene that I'm using, I'll add another couple layers - it's thin, and I don't think doing this will cause any pressure from the plumbing on the bottom of the 90g, it will barely change the position of the pump. I hope not anyway - it's one thing to replace a $50 glass tank, it would be quite another to have to buy another RR 90g because I cracked (or I guess shattered if it's tempered glass...) the bottom! Good suggestion to use more, thanks for that, it's amazing sometimes how you just don't think of the simple things on your own . I'm less worried now, thanks guys. __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

08/24/2007, 09:04 AM	#6
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	I'd use the flex hosing. Mags vibrate a bit, and if theyre directly attached to hard pvc, it tends to act as a resonator. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

08/24/2007, 06:28 AM	#2
jbarone Government Sponge Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Troy, IL Posts: 936	I have a 9 in my sump and yes it vibrates a bit. I think you need a little more padding under the pump. Try several layers of what your already using. If your plumbing is attached to the stand you may want to put some type of rubber isolator between the wood, the pipe, and the clamp. You can also use some felt dots and stick them on your doors. Good luck. JB

08/24/2007, 07:43 AM	#3
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	I was able to attach 4 suction cups (from a different product) to the mounting plate on the bottom of my Eheim return pump. This solved my vibration problem by elevating the pump off the glass, and also held the pump in place. Maybe your pump has a similar mounting plate - if not, perhaps you could superglue or epoxy a suction cup mount to your pump.

08/24/2007, 09:23 AM	#8
rickh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lost_in_Michigan Posts: 1,306	I built a sump with a glass tank and acrylic baffles siliconed in place. Don't worry the silicone has held great for years. I totally lined the return section with acrylic. Two sides were already acrylic from the baffles, I just added the bottom and two other sides. One time I accidentally dropped a pump in a glass sump and broke it. This works great. R