Sump Overflow Help

[Johnseye]

I'm running a 120g with dual megaflow overflows. My overflow plumbing is 1 1/4 in. Durso pipes inside the overflow into 1 in. bulkheads, then 1 in. pipes to the sump which is a Trigger Systems Ruby for anyone familiar.

I originally ran pvc pipe extensions from the sump top (the Ruby has a connector which locks the plumbing into the plexiglass) into the water. While reducing the sound of water pouring into the sump, this created a gurgling sound in the overflow, which I read someone refer to as a toilette scenario. Once I removed the pipe extensions in the sump the gurgling went away. The loud water pour in the sump returned of course.

I tried adding smaller pvc extensions which would end close to the sump water line but oddly when I did that the gurgling returned, even though the pipes didn't go into the water.

I've thought about the hole in the top of the Durso and whether it's big enough. I'm hesitant on enlarging it because once I enlarge it, it will be hard to close it up if required. I don't even know if the size of the siphon hole in the Durso is even the problem, I'm just guessing at this point.

I have a DC return pump which I have adjusted down with little to no impact. It's sized properly for my tank at 1300g. I'd like this to be running at full speed.

Ultimately I'd like to have the return pipes run into the water of the sump to reduce the sound as much as possible. Any suggestions on how to do this are appreciated.

Thanks

[krzyphsygy]

I had a similar problem with my 125. I just ran the drain into a filter sock and it really helped. Its not super quiet but not loud by any means.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by krzyphsygy

I had a similar problem with my 125. I just ran the drain into a filter sock and it really helped. Its not super quiet but not loud by any means.

Yup, it's running into my filter socks. The flow is strong so there's a good amount of noise.

I'm thinking about putting a pvc T fitting in where the pipe comes into the sump so the drain can end under the water but air can get in and not cause the toilette effect. It's tight for space and with socks I'm not sure if this is possible.

[Lord Livingston]

I found a simple solution the other day that really helped deaden the sound from my skimmer output hitting the water. I plan to do the same thing where the overflow drains into the sump, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

I cut a piece of black foam (I think it's specifically for eliminating bubbles but I'm not too sure) and basically floated it on top of the water in the sump. Then, I directed the sump output onto it. It doesn't restrict the flow from the skimmer output, but it almost completely muffles the sound of the skimmer water hitting the sump water and it greatly reduces the bubbles created from the skimmer water crashing back into the sump.

I'll do the same with the overflow. Probably I'll end the overflow pipe an inch or two above the sump water level, then just float some of that black foam right underneath it. So, the water comes out of the overflow into air (so no gurgle at the top of the overflow), hits the sponge quietly and filters into the sump.

[Lord Livingston]

And if I think about it, I'll do a little sound level reading with my phone before/after to quantify the effect.

[mathman7728]

sorry but i have to say GO BLACK HAWKS!

they should have won game 7 aginst the Kings but.....

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by Lord Livingston

I found a simple solution the other day that really helped deaden the sound from my skimmer output hitting the water. I plan to do the same thing where the overflow drains into the sump, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

I cut a piece of black foam (I think it's specifically for eliminating bubbles but I'm not too sure) and basically floated it on top of the water in the sump. Then, I directed the sump output onto it. It doesn't restrict the flow from the skimmer output, but it almost completely muffles the sound of the skimmer water hitting the sump water and it greatly reduces the bubbles created from the skimmer water crashing back into the sump.

I'll do the same with the overflow. Probably I'll end the overflow pipe an inch or two above the sump water level, then just float some of that black foam right underneath it. So, the water comes out of the overflow into air (so no gurgle at the top of the overflow), hits the sponge quietly and filters into the sump.

How will you keep the foam in place? You'll be cleaning and/or changing the foam often as it will become full of gunk.

[Lord Livingston]

Originally Posted by Johnseye

How will you keep the foam in place? You'll be cleaning and/or changing the foam often as it will become full of gunk.

My sump is pretty tight so it's relatively easy to cut a piece that wedges into place. If I need to do something more elaborate, I'll figure it out then.

And yes, I will have to clean it regularly to remove detritus, but for me that's an easy trade-off if it means I don't have to hear water crashing 24 hours a day we used to have a filter sock on the end of the overflow tube and tbh that was much more of a pain to clean than this piece of foam will be. I'm not sure this foam thing will catch the same amount of detritus though, so I may be back for a re-design in the future. Just typing this I'm thinking about sinking a plastic cup into the sump that I could weigh down to keep in place and it could keep the sponge in the right spot...

[Lord Livingston]

further, I suppose you could continue to use the socks, terminate the pipe above the waterline, and have it drip onto the foam just to prevent the water splashing...

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by Lord Livingston

further, I suppose you could continue to use the socks, terminate the pipe above the waterline, and have it drip onto the foam just to prevent the water splashing...

It could work. I'm going to try a pvc T tonight. I got a 1 in. T with a 1/2 in middle connection which I'll connect a slip street 90 and maybe a tube going up for air. I'll let you know how it goes.

Also, yup the Blackhawks should have won game 7. It was such a tight game with two great goalies that it came down to overtime. To me that series was the Stanley Cup. The Rangers couldn't respond.

[Johnseye]

I tried putting a T with elbow essentially creating a drain into the water with an air hole. This brought the gurgling sound back to my Durso in the overflow.

Anyone with Durso siphon hole experience run into this issue?

[Johnseye]

After more research I extended my pipes about 1 in. under the sump water level, then opened the siphon holes in my Durso by 2 drill bit sizes (not much wider) and now have a non-gurgling, non-splashing rig.

This appears to be more an art than defined science at this point. Even Durso on his site claims he doesn't know why it works like it does. I'm sure there is science to it, but it's not well documented.