Idea for making VT quiet(er)

[rishma]

Tim, et al -

you probably know that tunze pumps (nanos) and sure grip magnets use four rubber hemispherical feet to decrease vibration noise. The idea being to minimize contact.

I was thinking this may work on the VT as well. If I place four small rubber feet on the wet and dry sides, increase the pin spacer accordingly, I think this will largely eliminate the vibration noise at higher speeds.

Thoughts? cautions?

unless otherwise advised, I'll try it out and report the results with pictures.

 

[Putawaywet]

Off the top of my head I say this probably isn't going to be a viable option for anyone with 3/4" glass or acrylic tanks.

I would love to hear that it is though, because I'm not real comfortable with having something that hot stuck to the side of my acrylic tank sans the pin spacer

Brett

 

[rishma]

You are correct, it wont work for tanks at the thickness limit.

The other minor issue is going to be the wear pad on the wet side. it is flexible so the 4 feet would produce point loads and uneven wear. I think this can be solved with a circle of 1/10 acrylic to provide a flat surface.

so it will be

dry side: motor +pin spacer+feet

wet side: feet +acrylic disk +wear pad

so not as clean as originally hoped, but still viable. I could not find small enough feet today so I'll have to go tomorrow to Lowes

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Hi rishma-

With the pin spacer installed you are basically achieving the same effect because the long rubber pins help to dampen any vibrations. The motor whir will still be heard but vibrations won't be conducted through to the aquarium wall.

For 3/4" aquariums this is more difficult. One possible option is to apply several pieces of 3M double stick tape between the pin spacer and the aquarium wall and to still use the pin spacer. We have not tested this but you can try it if you would like. The 3M tape should be very effective combined with the pump in the pin spacer at the thickest glass setting (5/8").

-Tim

 

[Putawaywet]

Tim, I want to make sure I understand correctly, you're saying there's a chance I might be able to use my pumps on my 3/4 acrylic tank with the pin spacer attached and set to the 5/8" setting?

I very much would like to find another option to having the hot metal motor housing up against my tank separated by only that tin rubber pad.

Brett

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Brett-

Precisely. Simply purchase some 3M automotive grade double stick tape and place this tape in between the pin spacer and the aquarium. You would not have to use the wet side gasket in this case because the pin spacer would be stuck directly to the aquarium.

Again, this should work just fine, however we have not tested it.

-Tim

 

[rishma]

Tim- What does the tape have to do with the wet side gasket?? You lost me.

Good point about the dry side motor vibrations. I will likely scrap the idea of for the dry side as little/no vibration is translated. You only hear the whirrr.

I think the vibration at thigh speed comes from the wet side. Is the wet side gasket to protect the glass from the magnet? If so then I think I'll place 4 rubber feet on a thin piece on acrylic and place this between the wet side and the glass.

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Hi rishma-

Please contact us 610.954.8480 and ask for Tim

-Tim