Problem with sump noise

[rica5tully]

I'm setting up my reef tank again after a year off. Tonight I filled it and tested my new plumbing with water. It is noisy!

The worst part is the return pouring water into the sump. The only thing I can think of is to extend the tube below the waterline in the sump and into a basket of bio-balls. Hopefully that will cut down on the noise of the water rushing back down into the sump. It sounds like a waterfall.

Any ideas? How do you all keep your return lines quiet when they go into the sump?

Thanks,
ET

 

[prugs]

You need one of these.

 

[rica5tully]

Interesting. Did you come up with that yourself? Does the picture show it all?

It looks like a main section that directs the water underwater in the sump and then there is an air vent on top? It seems like the air vent would be really noisy.

 

[prugs]

Not loud at all. The picture shows it all.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=890135

 

[rica5tully]

OK, I got all the pieces and started putting it together. Fun stuff.

But...how do you drill those holes at the bottom for the water to come out?

I tried using a 1/2 inch drill bit and it isn't going very well; the PVC pipe is so thick and it chips and breaks. Even when I use a smaller bit first to make a pilot-hole it still isn't very easy.

I thought about using a hacksaw and cutting wedges instead. It would stand on "legs" and the water would have a lot of flow that way instead of through holes.

How did you make those holes?

Thanks

 

[MadTownMax]

I use an old carbon container (any plastic bottle will do) I filled it with a few bio-balls, and then pressure-fit my sump drain hose into one end, while cutting off the other end for the water to flow out - I cut 4 holes on the bottom edge of the bottle (below which the bottom is cut-out - as mentioned above) and then ran zip-ties through them and pulled them snug to hold the bio-balls in.

This is pretty cheap and efficient way to reduce the noise without submerging your drain line (which will reduce flow through the drain due to back-pressure)

This is a very bad picture, but I hope it helps:

I have a piece of black sponge material in the mouth of the plastic bottle to both hold the drain line inside, and also to further eliminate noise. Also in this picture the bottom of the bottle is going into a filter sock for some mechanical filtration, but I usually just have it going straight into the sump...

In the past, I've done something similar to prugs set-up, but just using a piece of large-diameter PVC with holes in the bottom - then filled with live-rock rubble to baffle the water - this is a somewhat louder solution though, unless you make the drain line "sealed" going into whatever type of baffle you choose.

HTH-

 

[prugs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7888860#post7888860 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rica5tully
OK, I got all the pieces and started putting it together. Fun stuff.

But...how do you drill those holes at the bottom for the water to come out?

I tried using a 1/2 inch drill bit and it isn't going very well; the PVC pipe is so thick and it chips and breaks. Even when I use a smaller bit first to make a pilot-hole it still isn't very easy.

I thought about using a hacksaw and cutting wedges instead. It would stand on "legs" and the water would have a lot of flow that way instead of through holes.

How did you make those holes?



Thanks

I drilled them with a fostner bit. But you could just cut notches in the bottom & have it stand on legs. It would work just as good.


OOOOWW, my 2000th post

 

[rica5tully]

OK, I think that's what I'll do.

Thanks for your help.

ET

 

[rica5tully]

Prugs,


I have it all set up and it seems to be working fine. Thanks for the great idea. I have a couple of final followup questions:

1) I have the "T" where the water goes in just above water level. Ist that where it should be? I did have it 5 inches above the water level but it was really loud because of the waterfall inside. Now it's quiet, but I think there's a little back pressure because water level in my overflow compartment is higher on my Durso than before. Is that a problem?

2) I still have bubbles coming out the bottom. Is that because I didn't use a large enough diameter tube for your contraption? I used 2" and I have 1" for my drain. My pump is only 400-500 gph, so it isn't that powerful.

Any comments on this setup? Again, thanks for your help.

ET

 

[prugs]

PM sent.

 

[Angela Short]

How about a answer on here? I have been following this contraption of yours and thinking I will try it!

 

[prugs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7957333#post7957333 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Angela Short
How about a answer on here? I have been following this contraption of yours and thinking I will try it!

The answer to questions 1 & 2 are to use a larger pipe (3" pvc).