HOw long do I have to run my sump everyday?

noapollono · 03/29/2006, 06:29 AM

I just upgraded to a 75gal Reef Ready tank with a 29 gal Sump. It looks so amazing I put it in my room not thinking about the constant noise it puts out. Must it run 24/7 or can I have it off while I sleep form 2am to 9-10am? If I still ran my skimmer and powerheads would this adversly effect my tank?

MiddletonMark · 03/29/2006, 06:40 AM

I find my skimmer is louder than the sump, though I've grown used to the quiet trickling noise from the overflow.

How do you have yours set up?
Perhaps it could be a lot quieter?

How are you running your pump [to go back to tank] ... is it internal/external, do you run `hard' PVC or spaflex/hose, where does the sound appear to come from?

Vibration can make a ton of noise - and there are some things to try to reduce that - often that can be cut to a bare minimum.

---
Why run a sump 24/7?
To my thinking - there's a few reasons:

My heater's in the sump. If I cut the sump pump, within a few hours the tank's temp will start dropping. To me, this is most important of the reasons.
My skimmer is in the sump, and my fish poop 24/7.
It's a lot easier to top-off freshwater to a line in the sump than on the much larger tank - and IMO you'll have less swings in the water parameters if they're constantly circulating.
Dunno if it's true, but have always heard that overflow systems help oxygenate the water ... but that might be taken care of already.

IMO, if possible, keep it running all the time. But ... that doesn't mean it should make a racket.
For a tank that size, you shouldn't have to run a pump that gives off anything more than a faint hum - and the only other noise would be a quiet trickle of water going over the overflow.

Got a pic of your sump setup?

weaver5 · 03/29/2006, 06:42 AM

I run mine all day everyday.I can relate to the noise.Is it more the noise coming from the overflow box? If it is I had good luck cutting to fit a piece of plexiglass to fit tight over the top of the overflow box and keeps the noise down alot.Good luck Scott

lvpd186 · 03/29/2006, 06:54 AM

I agree with the prior posts. Its better to track down the source of the noise then risk shutting down your sump everyday. There are allot of ways to quiet down a tank, but first you have to know what is causing the noise.

Cutiewitbooty · 03/29/2006, 07:43 AM

hmmm mine is really quite, doesn't put out any noise actually, the return pump puts out a small hum though. Maybe it's your overflow?

tehon3299 · 03/29/2006, 07:58 AM

My ASM G3 Skimmer is creating a lot of noise from the water coming out of the tube and splashing down. Could this be your problem? And I'd be interested in how to fix this...

6stang9 · 03/29/2006, 08:37 AM

hey amber what kind of return pump do you have that hums? i have to buy one and i dont want a noisey one. i was thinking of going with a mag9.5 ?

Cutiewitbooty · 03/29/2006, 08:46 AM

i have a dophin pump

http://www.dolphinpumps.com/

I like it, but i want to upgrade to a larger pump with more GPH, probally mag7. The dolphin one i have does 380GPH

doox00 · 03/29/2006, 09:48 AM

my mag 9.5 is extremely quiet, happy with it.

ChunksInClemson · 03/29/2006, 10:40 AM

I also have a Mag 9.5 and Its the quietest thing in my sump! I love it so I would have to suggest it to ya.

tehon3299 · 03/29/2006, 10:41 AM

Yeah, my Mag 7 is very quiet also. The skimmer makes most of the noise from the water splashing and any other noise is vibration from PVC and the such.

hokiefish · 03/29/2006, 11:02 AM

Tehon
You should put a gate valve mod onto your outlet like the one shown at http://www.asmskimmer.com/mod1.htm

6stang9 · 03/29/2006, 11:28 AM

thanks for the good replies on the 9.5 pump i am definatly going to buy one .you said your skimmer is loud? i was thinking of buying a css 220 to go in my 20g long sump. does anyone have any comments about how loud, or not, they are?

mg426 · 03/29/2006, 11:40 AM

I have two Mag 9.5 one in the sump and one on a closed loop. Cant even hear them. My light fans are more noisey than the pumps.

Ti · 03/29/2006, 11:40 AM

Try Eheim

MiddletonMark · 03/29/2006, 11:44 AM

I've got Mags, Little Giants, Pan Worlds ... they're all pretty quiet.

How do you have it plumbed?

03/29/2006, 06:29 AM	#1
noapollono Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 87	HOw long do I have to run my sump everyday? I just upgraded to a 75gal Reef Ready tank with a 29 gal Sump. It looks so amazing I put it in my room not thinking about the constant noise it puts out. Must it run 24/7 or can I have it off while I sleep form 2am to 9-10am? If I still ran my skimmer and powerheads would this adversly effect my tank?

03/29/2006, 06:40 AM	#2
MiddletonMark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 14,441	I find my skimmer is louder than the sump, though I've grown used to the quiet trickling noise from the overflow. How do you have yours set up? Perhaps it could be a lot quieter? How are you running your pump [to go back to tank] ... is it internal/external, do you run `hard' PVC or spaflex/hose, where does the sound appear to come from? Vibration can make a ton of noise - and there are some things to try to reduce that - often that can be cut to a bare minimum. --- Why run a sump 24/7? To my thinking - there's a few reasons: My heater's in the sump. If I cut the sump pump, within a few hours the tank's temp will start dropping. To me, this is most important of the reasons. My skimmer is in the sump, and my fish poop 24/7. It's a lot easier to top-off freshwater to a line in the sump than on the much larger tank - and IMO you'll have less swings in the water parameters if they're constantly circulating. Dunno if it's true, but have always heard that overflow systems help oxygenate the water ... but that might be taken care of already. IMO, if possible, keep it running all the time. But ... that doesn't mean it should make a racket. For a tank that size, you shouldn't have to run a pump that gives off anything more than a faint hum - and the only other noise would be a quiet trickle of water going over the overflow. Got a pic of your sump setup? __________________ read a lot, think for yourself Current Tank Info: 58g stony reef [250w10k, 250w 20k MH, 2x vho act, Octopus150, 6060 + 6000] ; 60g mixed tub

03/29/2006, 06:54 AM	#4
lvpd186 Reefing in NE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Papillion, NE Posts: 1,485	I agree with the prior posts. Its better to track down the source of the noise then risk shutting down your sump everyday. There are allot of ways to quiet down a tank, but first you have to know what is causing the noise. __________________ "A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice." Bill Cosby

03/29/2006, 07:43 AM	#5
Cutiewitbooty Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alaska For 18 Years, Now Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 2,795	hmmm mine is really quite, doesn't put out any noise actually, the return pump puts out a small hum though. Maybe it's your overflow? __________________ WARNING: Taking my advice may result in personal injury and/or jail time. ~Amber~

03/29/2006, 07:58 AM	#6
tehon3299 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 268	My ASM G3 Skimmer is creating a lot of noise from the water coming out of the tube and splashing down. Could this be your problem? And I'd be interested in how to fix this... __________________ +90g AGA Megaflow +30g Custom Sump +100lbs Live Rock +ASM G3 Skimmer

03/29/2006, 06:42 AM	#3
weaver5 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Batavia Posts: 1,249	I run mine all day everyday.I can relate to the noise.Is it more the noise coming from the overflow box? If it is I had good luck cutting to fit a piece of plexiglass to fit tight over the top of the overflow box and keeps the noise down alot.Good luck Scott

03/29/2006, 08:37 AM	#7
6stang9 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: ashburnham,ma Posts: 105	hey amber what kind of return pump do you have that hums? i have to buy one and i dont want a noisey one. i was thinking of going with a mag9.5 ?

03/29/2006, 08:46 AM	#8
Cutiewitbooty Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alaska For 18 Years, Now Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 2,795	i have a dophin pump http://www.dolphinpumps.com/ I like it, but i want to upgrade to a larger pump with more GPH, probally mag7. The dolphin one i have does 380GPH __________________ WARNING: Taking my advice may result in personal injury and/or jail time. ~Amber~

03/29/2006, 09:48 AM	#9
doox00 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Michigan Posts: 928	my mag 9.5 is extremely quiet, happy with it.

03/29/2006, 10:40 AM	#10
ChunksInClemson Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 824	I also have a Mag 9.5 and Its the quietest thing in my sump! I love it so I would have to suggest it to ya. __________________ Me to my brother-"Dude, you don't need to spend 75 dollars on a shirt! My brother to me-"Man, you just spent 100 dollars on some rocks" Me and him- "Laughs" Current Tank Info: 29g, a pair of true percs so far. Tank is newer!

03/29/2006, 10:41 AM	#11
tehon3299 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 268	Yeah, my Mag 7 is very quiet also. The skimmer makes most of the noise from the water splashing and any other noise is vibration from PVC and the such. __________________ +90g AGA Megaflow +30g Custom Sump +100lbs Live Rock +ASM G3 Skimmer

03/29/2006, 11:02 AM	#12
hokiefish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 368	Tehon You should put a gate valve mod onto your outlet like the one shown at http://www.asmskimmer.com/mod1.htm __________________ Carpe Noctum Current Tank Info: 50 Breeder w/ Penguin Biowheel & MJ1200 for circ

03/29/2006, 11:28 AM	#13
6stang9 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: ashburnham,ma Posts: 105	thanks for the good replies on the 9.5 pump i am definatly going to buy one .you said your skimmer is loud? i was thinking of buying a css 220 to go in my 20g long sump. does anyone have any comments about how loud, or not, they are?

03/29/2006, 11:40 AM	#14
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I have two Mag 9.5 one in the sump and one on a closed loop. Cant even hear them. My light fans are more noisey than the pumps. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

03/29/2006, 11:40 AM	#15
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	Try Eheim __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

03/29/2006, 11:44 AM	#16
MiddletonMark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 14,441	I've got Mags, Little Giants, Pan Worlds ... they're all pretty quiet. How do you have it plumbed? __________________ read a lot, think for yourself Current Tank Info: 58g stony reef [250w10k, 250w 20k MH, 2x vho act, Octopus150, 6060 + 6000] ; 60g mixed tub