Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts!

jordancemery65 · 12-28-2008, 12:48 PM

My tank is really really loud, sometimes it wakes me up at night, and I am not even in the same room! It is driving the parents nuts, and i have to say me too! I have tried a lot to quiet it down, but i cant figure out what is wrong. I dont think it is the overflow box, it sounds more like it is the water inside the pvc piping going down into the sump. You can hear it trickling through the pvc pipe, so i am guessing that is it. Is there a way to quiet it down? I have a 220g tank with two overflows each can handle 1200 gph. I do have a bubble diffuser in the sump below the tank, the sump is probably around a thirty gallon tote. The PVC pipe going into the bubble diffuser looks like it is below the water level, could this possibly create pressure into the pvc pipe and create it to make that noise? I am fairly new to the hobby so any help would be greatly appreciated.

slakker · 12-28-2008, 12:56 PM

I find air mixing in the return pipes adds to the gurgle.. are those hang on back type overflows? Can you put a durso type standpipe in?

jordancemery65 · 12-28-2008, 12:57 PM

yeah they are the hang on the back type of overflows... i really dont think i could put a durso in it...

Limpits Reef · 12-28-2008, 01:20 PM

could you post some pictures of your setup and plumbing? It would be easier to suggest possible solutions if we could see what you are talking about.

ZAPCOnj · 12-28-2008, 01:20 PM

what maker is the HOB overflow? and what size return pump do you have (what's the rating at the return nozzle)

when i had a huge water rushing problem with my HOB overflow i switched from PVC to flexible tubing and added a "loop" and i also found out that my return pump (900gph at the nozzle) was over rated for my HOB Overflow (300gph). so i upgraded to the next size overflow and with the "loop" my noise was reduced a lot.

jordancemery65 · 12-28-2008, 01:29 PM

Pro Clear is the maker of the overflows... and the pump is 2600 GPH. However i have ball valves on the three return pipes so I have complete control, and even when i cut them back it is still loud...

ZAPCOnj · 12-28-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordancemery65

Pro Clear is the maker of the overflows... and the pump is 2600 GPH. However i have ball valves on the three return pipes so I have complete control, and even when i cut them back it is still loud...

is the PVC piping you have bonded to the over flow? can you remove it and try to see if the flexible tubing and a loop will work?

jordancemery65 · 12-28-2008, 01:40 PM

well i came off of the overflow with a union, i can just unscrew the union, so yeah it is possible to try that, but i would have to get four, i guess that would be worth a try. How much are they?

ZAPCOnj · 12-28-2008, 01:46 PM

the tubing is fairly cheap. they have it at home depot or lowes. you'll be looking for the 1" flexible tubing. the same kind you would see for the drain on a washer or on a pool return hose. this stuff:

They sell it in 10' packages (sometimes) or you can buy it by the foot.

jordancemery65 · 12-29-2008, 06:05 PM

How many people are using this method of coming off of the overflows with these corrugated hoses, and into the sump? Is it loud?

reefmasta · 12-29-2008, 06:14 PM

i use 1' flex tubing and slides right over the slip to rib fitting you should have on the bulkhead, and i have no sound in my overflows. i have mega-flow overflows in a 155G. and also i use dyno matt for my one pump that runs my UV, p.skimmer, and my whole tank. so only thing you hear is the pump sucking water a little bit.

Octoman · 12-29-2008, 06:19 PM

I've seen dursos in an overflow box before. You may be able to mess around with the design a bit to make it fit. You could also look into the hofer gurgle buster, it would be much easier to fit in an overflow box.

Hofer Gurgle Buster

Frankie · 12-29-2008, 08:49 PM

I agree with the Hofer! Great model. Just to let you know, my tank is so quiet you don't know it's there unless your looking at. The more money I put into it the less sleep I get. Want to wake me up at night, flush a toilet!

barbianj · 12-29-2008, 08:57 PM

I agree that the PVC will make more noise than the flex tube. I tried the Durso type standpipe in my overflow box, but it didn't work so well mainly because of space. You can also make a tight fitting cover for your overflow box, if it doesn't have one.

jordancemery65 · 12-29-2008, 11:02 PM

Frankie, How is yours set up, are you using the 1" flexible pipe? Do you have overflows? and are you using the Hofer? Durso?

12-28-2008, 12:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
jordancemery65 Bryozoan Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 51 View Gallery Karma Komment	Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts! My tank is really really loud, sometimes it wakes me up at night, and I am not even in the same room! It is driving the parents nuts, and i have to say me too! I have tried a lot to quiet it down, but i cant figure out what is wrong. I dont think it is the overflow box, it sounds more like it is the water inside the pvc piping going down into the sump. You can hear it trickling through the pvc pipe, so i am guessing that is it. Is there a way to quiet it down? I have a 220g tank with two overflows each can handle 1200 gph. I do have a bubble diffuser in the sump below the tank, the sump is probably around a thirty gallon tote. The PVC pipe going into the bubble diffuser looks like it is below the water level, could this possibly create pressure into the pvc pipe and create it to make that noise? I am fairly new to the hobby so any help would be greatly appreciated.

12-28-2008, 12:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
slakker Scopas Tang Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 440 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts! I find air mixing in the return pipes adds to the gurgle.. are those hang on back type overflows? Can you put a durso type standpipe in?

12-28-2008, 12:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
jordancemery65 Bryozoan Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 51 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts! yeah they are the hang on the back type of overflows... i really dont think i could put a durso in it...

12-28-2008, 01:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Limpits Reef Midas Blenny Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wisconsin, US Posts: 89 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts! could you post some pictures of your setup and plumbing? It would be easier to suggest possible solutions if we could see what you are talking about. __________________ I do not claim to be an expert, I simply share with others my past experiences. Happy Reefing! Visit my reef videos at: http://www.youtube.com/LimpitsReef

12-28-2008, 01:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
ZAPCOnj Yes that's me. Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: East of reality Posts: 1,590 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts! what maker is the HOB overflow? and what size return pump do you have (what's the rating at the return nozzle) when i had a huge water rushing problem with my HOB overflow i switched from PVC to flexible tubing and added a "loop" and i also found out that my return pump (900gph at the nozzle) was over rated for my HOB Overflow (300gph). so i upgraded to the next size overflow and with the "loop" my noise was reduced a lot. __________________ My 40 gal Reef...

12-28-2008, 01:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
jordancemery65 Bryozoan Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 51 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts! Pro Clear is the maker of the overflows... and the pump is 2600 GPH. However i have ball valves on the three return pipes so I have complete control, and even when i cut them back it is still loud...

12-28-2008, 01:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
jordancemery65 Bryozoan Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 51 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts! well i came off of the overflow with a union, i can just unscrew the union, so yeah it is possible to try that, but i would have to get four, i guess that would be worth a try. How much are they?

12-28-2008, 01:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
ZAPCOnj Yes that's me. Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: East of reality Posts: 1,590 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts! the tubing is fairly cheap. they have it at home depot or lowes. you'll be looking for the 1" flexible tubing. the same kind you would see for the drain on a washer or on a pool return hose. this stuff: They sell it in 10' packages (sometimes) or you can buy it by the foot. __________________ My 40 gal Reef...

12-29-2008, 06:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
jordancemery65 Bryozoan Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 51 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts! How many people are using this method of coming off of the overflows with these corrugated hoses, and into the sump? Is it loud?

12-29-2008, 06:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
reefmasta Star Polyps Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: tampa Posts: 158 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts! i use 1' flex tubing and slides right over the slip to rib fitting you should have on the bulkhead, and i have no sound in my overflows. i have mega-flow overflows in a 155G. and also i use dyno matt for my one pump that runs my UV, p.skimmer, and my whole tank. so only thing you hear is the pump sucking water a little bit. __________________ 500 gallons of all salt. one 155G full reef. 350G of all proping tanks. 4 1/2years of experience and still reading and going to school =) water changes= Cant remember never be a slave to your hobie!!askk me for questions. =)

12-29-2008, 06:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
Octoman 8 left feet... Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Haven, CT Posts: 1,960 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts! I've seen dursos in an overflow box before. You may be able to mess around with the design a bit to make it fit. You could also look into the hofer gurgle buster, it would be much easier to fit in an overflow box. Hofer Gurgle Buster __________________ Mark My tank thread... Octoman's 55 gallons of euphoria Tank build... 55 Construction

12-29-2008, 08:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
barbianj Tubeworm Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: WI Posts: 36 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts! I agree that the PVC will make more noise than the flex tube. I tried the Durso type standpipe in my overflow box, but it didn't work so well mainly because of space. You can also make a tight fitting cover for your overflow box, if it doesn't have one.

12-29-2008, 11:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
jordancemery65 Bryozoan Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 51 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Loud Tank! Driving Me Nuts! Frankie, How is yours set up, are you using the 1" flexible pipe? Do you have overflows? and are you using the Hofer? Durso?

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