Overflow intake pipe making gurgling noise.

[docholiday34]

I posted a thread last week about an issue I was having with my new tank set up and got some suggestions but nothing has worked. If figured I could post one more time with all the information and see if someone can help. I am attempting to set up my predrilled 120 gallon pentagon shaped tank. Everything in the tank seems to be working fine except I am getting a horrible gurgling noise coming from the intake pipe in my overlfow box (I am used to the waterfall sound that comes with an overflow box but this is completely different).The tank came with one single piece of opened ended PVC as the intake pipe.
I made my own top portion to create a Durso Pipe (see picture below, yes it does have an air hole in the cap). It
didnt do anything to eliminate the sound. I also ordered something called the Maggie Muffler but that also failed to get rid of the sound. The intake pipe is 1" PVC and the return hose is 3/4". The pump is a 873GPH pump but runs at about 572GPH when it has to pump up 5 feet. I have shortened the hoses in the sump area but that didnt solve the issue. I also tried placing bio balls in the overflow box to raise the water level but that also didnt help. I am out of ideas on how I can fix this issue and I dont want to add livestock until I have this issue solved. Below is a short video of the set up I am working with. Any help would be appreciated, I am beyond frustration.

http://youtu.be/UWMP2nsR82M

 

[billdogg]

A 1" durso will handle maybe 300gph. Put a valve (ball or gate - your choice) on the return line and slow it down until the problem is fixed. That's about the only way to take care of the problem you are having with your drain set up the way it is.

FWIW - I use Durso's on all my tanks and feel they are very good at what they do.

 

[ca1ore]

A few things:

1. Even though the bulkhead at the bottom of your overflow is 1", you should step up the stand pipe to 1 1/2" PVC; that will increase flow capacity and quiet things down.
2. Drill a 1/2" hole on either side of the T fitting just slightly above the top of the stand pipe when inserted
3. The air vent at the very top should be about the diameter of airline tubing.
4. If the air vent still proves noisy, you can use one of those skimmer mufflers

Once you have done those things, then you can adjust the return flow if necessary.

 

[docholiday34]

replies

replies

thank you for the replies. I will try all of these suggestions over the weekend and let you know how it goes. It is a little frustrating to order a tank and pay for it to be reef ready and then have to go through all of these modifications. If I would have known I would have had to do all the plumbing anyway I wouldn't have paid the extra money. But hey I guess you live and you learn.

 

[KeepNitReel]

A few things:

1. Even though the bulkhead at the bottom of your overflow is 1", you should step up the stand pipe to 1 1/2" PVC; that will increase flow capacity and quiet things down.
2. Drill a 1/2" hole on either side of the T fitting just slightly above the top of the stand pipe when inserted
3. The air vent at the very top should be about the diameter of airline tubing.
4. If the air vent still proves noisy, you can use one of those skimmer mufflers

Once you have done those things, then you can adjust the return flow if necessary.

I've seen the 1/2" hole in other reef member's durso (step 2) setup but what does is actually do?

 

[PCygni]

During my water test I had to turn my return pump down a bit to get the drain to stop 'snoring.'

 

[mcgyvr]

It said "reef ready"..
Didn't say it was "quiet" :fun2:

only way to "reef" IMO..
http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx