External Durso problems...need advice

mikestod · 02/12/2006, 12:41 PM

Ok, so I set up my 40g breeder with 2 1" bulkhead drains out the back. I made 1" durso standpipes on the back of the tank and the water drains through 1"ID clear flexible tubing into the sump (no hard plubing after the durso pipes). One drain line empties into my skimmer compartment (and the micro bubbles are passing right through my skimmer). The other drain empties into the open center section of the sump. The 20g high sump has 3 sections, a skimmer section at the left, an open center section which I will be adding either live rock or a DSB for filtration, and a return compartment at the right side. The return pump is a Mag5 and is submersed in the sump and feeds the tank via 3/4" clear tubing. I am running the pump with no restrictions.

My problem is that there are microbubbles and alot of noise. The water flys down the drain lines so fast and creates a little swirling vortex when it enters the sump. I've been playing with the upturned strainer/elbow drains in the tank, and with attaching elbows and stuff to the drain lines, and have even tried sumberging them at different depths. I have 3/16 holes in the caps of the Dursos, with airline tubing and adjustable valves. That will change the gurgling noise slightly, but the main noise is coming from the velocity of the water in the drain lines and splashing into the sump. It soubds like pouring water from a pitcher held 2 feet above the glass. Its that loud.

Any suggestions on how to fix this? I used 2 1" drains in case one clogged and caluclations were based on the ReefCentral drain calculator. One 1" drain should be able to handle all of the drainage. Are my drains too big? Is the pump too much? With the upturned elbows straining the surface water in the display about 30 degrees from bverticle, the water level is almost up to the inner lip of the tank trim.

MrMoo · 02/12/2006, 01:31 PM

You might try putting a PVC T on the sum side of the return. Have the center of the the face upward to release the air. Add a 90 deg elbow on the center of the T to take care of any splashing. 2 drains is a good idea - margin of safety.

mikestod · 02/12/2006, 03:24 PM

I've tried the T, with a long pipe comong out of the top and a pipe submerged under the sump water levl with a 90 on it. The water is shot down with such force that water will occasionally shoot out of the 6" pipe attached to the top of the T

02/12/2006, 12:41 PM	#1
mikestod Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 485	External Durso problems...need advice Ok, so I set up my 40g breeder with 2 1" bulkhead drains out the back. I made 1" durso standpipes on the back of the tank and the water drains through 1"ID clear flexible tubing into the sump (no hard plubing after the durso pipes). One drain line empties into my skimmer compartment (and the micro bubbles are passing right through my skimmer). The other drain empties into the open center section of the sump. The 20g high sump has 3 sections, a skimmer section at the left, an open center section which I will be adding either live rock or a DSB for filtration, and a return compartment at the right side. The return pump is a Mag5 and is submersed in the sump and feeds the tank via 3/4" clear tubing. I am running the pump with no restrictions. My problem is that there are microbubbles and alot of noise. The water flys down the drain lines so fast and creates a little swirling vortex when it enters the sump. I've been playing with the upturned strainer/elbow drains in the tank, and with attaching elbows and stuff to the drain lines, and have even tried sumberging them at different depths. I have 3/16 holes in the caps of the Dursos, with airline tubing and adjustable valves. That will change the gurgling noise slightly, but the main noise is coming from the velocity of the water in the drain lines and splashing into the sump. It soubds like pouring water from a pitcher held 2 feet above the glass. Its that loud. Any suggestions on how to fix this? I used 2 1" drains in case one clogged and caluclations were based on the ReefCentral drain calculator. One 1" drain should be able to handle all of the drainage. Are my drains too big? Is the pump too much? With the upturned elbows straining the surface water in the display about 30 degrees from bverticle, the water level is almost up to the inner lip of the tank trim. __________________ ~~~My OCD was in remission until I started reefing!~~~ Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder SPS frag tank

02/12/2006, 03:24 PM	#3
mikestod Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 485	I've tried the T, with a long pipe comong out of the top and a pipe submerged under the sump water levl with a 90 on it. The water is shot down with such force that water will occasionally shoot out of the 6" pipe attached to the top of the T __________________ ~~~My OCD was in remission until I started reefing!~~~ Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder SPS frag tank

02/12/2006, 01:31 PM	#2
MrMoo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 8	You might try putting a PVC T on the sum side of the return. Have the center of the the face upward to release the air. Add a 90 deg elbow on the center of the T to take care of any splashing. 2 drains is a good idea - margin of safety.