Hello folks, I have a 220 gal tank and have a Durso setup on it in each corner. On the return pipe 90 degree elbow there is a 3/16 " hole drilled in it for a siphon break. Haveing 2 of these spraying water out at a good rate makes a lot of noise!! Can a person install 2 90 degree elbows without the holes in them since I have installed a check valve inline on the return out of the sump. Thanks for the input.
Durso Standpipe Return
- Thread starter Sdfuzzy
- Start date
RocketEngineer
Space is big.
First, check valves should never be used in a SW tank. The different creatures growing on the LR will also grow on the valve seat, preventing it from closing properly no matter how often you clean them. A properly designed setup should have enough sump capacity to handle all the water that drains out of the setup without overflowing the sump.
Second, the use of siphon break holes is a band aide fix. If you place the returns at the water surface instead of under it they will pull air almost as soon as the return pump is turned off. What little water they do pull should be handled as described above.
BTW, the Durso is only used on the drains, it isn't part of the return plumbing. It was created to eliminate the waterfall effect of water falling into the overflow box. There are several newer methods that handle more flow with less noise but they are a little more complex.
HTH,
Second, the use of siphon break holes is a band aide fix. If you place the returns at the water surface instead of under it they will pull air almost as soon as the return pump is turned off. What little water they do pull should be handled as described above.
BTW, the Durso is only used on the drains, it isn't part of the return plumbing. It was created to eliminate the waterfall effect of water falling into the overflow box. There are several newer methods that handle more flow with less noise but they are a little more complex.
HTH,
marinemanohio
New member
Even if a siphon break hole is used, it should be placed slightly underwater. It shouldn't be blowing water across the surface of the tank. Aside from noise, you are also splashing water all over equipment, which will result in salt creep and unnecessary water loss.
I second removing the check valve. Way too many horror stories the instant you neglect to test and clean them regularly.
I second removing the check valve. Way too many horror stories the instant you neglect to test and clean them regularly.
Thanks for the advise, the 3/16 "siphon holes" drilled in the return elbows are not from me, the overflow kit came with them already drilled. I installed the check valve since a lot of people I have spoke with say you need one installed. I have a 64 gal sump that is more than capable of handling the return water when n powering down the system from the drains and returns. Where Marineland has the hole drilled in the Elbow and the length of the pipe it is in a poor spot, right at the surface of the water. I am going to remove the check valve and check out the height of the return pipe and see if can get just under the water line to silence the noise. Any good links on a better design for a overflow plumbing setup?
m0nkie
Well-known member
I have Bean Animal style which has 3 overflow protections, making it set and forget. However, it requires 3 drain holes.
if you already have 2 corner overflows, you can drill 1 extra hole each and design 2 Herbie overflow. Also very quiet, with emergency drain pipe.
http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/
if you already have 2 corner overflows, you can drill 1 extra hole each and design 2 Herbie overflow. Also very quiet, with emergency drain pipe.
http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/
