My Sump Sounds Like a Coffee Percolator

spanglish · 11/24/2006, 09:49 AM

This is my first experience with a sump. I love all
aspects, except,,,the water flowing to the sump
has periodic (about every 10- 15 seconds) "surges"
that make it sound just like a 1960's coffee percolator.

I have attempted to diagnose the cause, but have
thus far failed.
Is this due to the flexible "vaccuum cleaner" hose
connecting the two?
Is it due to the filter sock water level rising to the
bottom of where hose dumps into sump?
Is it just the way it is??

Randall_James · 11/24/2006, 09:56 AM

I have been thinking about this since you posted it in your sock thread...

What type of overflow are you running and what are you using to baffle the noise upstairs?

I had a durso setup that did not have quite enough "vent" going and the overflow would slowly rise up, cover the durso and then do a "flush" of sorts. It would create a large surge in the sump as the down drain from the overflow created a solid siphon. As the water level in the overflow box dropped below the durso pipe, it would break the siphon.

I guess in short does the water level in the overflow box go up and down in time with the noise?

spanglish · 11/24/2006, 10:10 AM

Excellent question!,,,,,,I don't know.

I'm at work now, but will check when I get home.
It's an oceanic reef ready built in overflow.
By the way, the sock thing was apparently nothing,
though I will NOT be using that particular sock.

alizarin · 11/24/2006, 11:53 AM

That flushing / percolating sound is a common phenomena in sump drains that's resolved with a vent, durso stand pipe, or something like it. I think what's happening is like when you pour water out of a big jug with two holes. If you open only one hole it pours in spurts, taking air in to equalize the pressure. If you open the second hole to let air in it just pours out in a steady stream. If you don't have an air hole in your pipe the pressure eventually has to equalize by sucking air in and sounding like a percolater or a toilet flush. I couldn't comment on the best way to fix your setup without seeing it but in gernal terms if you were to drill a hole in the pipe from your tank to your sump somewhere near the top and attach a piece of airline tubing with the othe end above the tank... that would be a simple (but ugly and impractical) way of stopping the gurgling.

sarduci · 11/24/2006, 12:05 PM

The type or style of overflow we need to know first before we can give any really good feedback other than guessing.

11/24/2006, 09:49 AM	#1
spanglish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 788	My Sump Sounds Like a Coffee Percolator This is my first experience with a sump. I love all aspects, except,,,the water flowing to the sump has periodic (about every 10- 15 seconds) "surges" that make it sound just like a 1960's coffee percolator. I have attempted to diagnose the cause, but have thus far failed. Is this due to the flexible "vaccuum cleaner" hose connecting the two? Is it due to the filter sock water level rising to the bottom of where hose dumps into sump? Is it just the way it is?? __________________ " I quit drinking weeks ago! No one noticed, but I guess that's a pretty good indicator that I conducted myself quite well when I was drunk. " Current Tank Info: 90 G Bowfront, 30G refugium,T5's,Euroreef 100,1 true perc, 1false black, 1 ember blenny,Eight Line Flasher Wrasse, Mandarin,various LPS

11/24/2006, 09:56 AM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	I have been thinking about this since you posted it in your sock thread... What type of overflow are you running and what are you using to baffle the noise upstairs? I had a durso setup that did not have quite enough "vent" going and the overflow would slowly rise up, cover the durso and then do a "flush" of sorts. It would create a large surge in the sump as the down drain from the overflow created a solid siphon. As the water level in the overflow box dropped below the durso pipe, it would break the siphon. I guess in short does the water level in the overflow box go up and down in time with the noise? __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

11/24/2006, 10:10 AM	#3
spanglish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 788	Excellent question!,,,,,,I don't know. I'm at work now, but will check when I get home. It's an oceanic reef ready built in overflow. By the way, the sock thing was apparently nothing, though I will NOT be using that particular sock. __________________ " I quit drinking weeks ago! No one noticed, but I guess that's a pretty good indicator that I conducted myself quite well when I was drunk. " Current Tank Info: 90 G Bowfront, 30G refugium,T5's,Euroreef 100,1 true perc, 1false black, 1 ember blenny,Eight Line Flasher Wrasse, Mandarin,various LPS

11/24/2006, 11:53 AM	#4
alizarin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 869	That flushing / percolating sound is a common phenomena in sump drains that's resolved with a vent, durso stand pipe, or something like it. I think what's happening is like when you pour water out of a big jug with two holes. If you open only one hole it pours in spurts, taking air in to equalize the pressure. If you open the second hole to let air in it just pours out in a steady stream. If you don't have an air hole in your pipe the pressure eventually has to equalize by sucking air in and sounding like a percolater or a toilet flush. I couldn't comment on the best way to fix your setup without seeing it but in gernal terms if you were to drill a hole in the pipe from your tank to your sump somewhere near the top and attach a piece of airline tubing with the othe end above the tank... that would be a simple (but ugly and impractical) way of stopping the gurgling.

11/24/2006, 12:05 PM	#5
sarduci Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Wausau, Wisconsin Posts: 1,278	The type or style of overflow we need to know first before we can give any really good feedback other than guessing.