Quieting HOB skimmer pump?

[Kairus]

I have a Reef Octopus BH-90 and the pump is a bit noisy. It's in my bedroom so I'm pretty sensitive to the noise. When I was using this skimmer on my 72 gallon I stuffed some old pillows behind the tank on each side of the skimmer and it really cut the noise down. I will be using this skimmer on my new JBJ 30g rimless (I hope the skimmer fits - tank will be here Thursday) and I don't think i'll be able to fit pillows behind the tank without them being visible.

I was thinking maybe some sort of foam, insulation, or fabric, but I don't want to close it off too much due to heat build up, I'm sure it wouldn't be good on the pump! I found some cheap fiberglass insulation on eBay - I've never dealt with this type of product, would this be a good option?

Ideas?

 

[slief]

You could try a piece of neoprene material under the pump. It's water proof and would be fine submerged. That should help immensely in eliminating any harmonic noise and would be the first thing I would try. If that works then a couple dabs of silicone in the form of little rubber like feet to the base of the pump could be a more permanent solution. You want to do this on any side of the pump that comes in contact with the skimmer body. You could even add some neoprene between the skimmer body and the tank any place it touches the tank. A mouse pad would be a great place to start or a wet suit shop.

 

[Kairus]

You could try a piece of neoprene material under the pump. It's water proof and would be fine submerged. That should help immensely in eliminating any harmonic noise and would be the first thing I would try. If that works then a couple dabs of silicone in the form of little rubber like feet to the base of the pump could be a more permanent solution.

The pump is external on this skimmer, so I'm thinking I will have to surround it with some sort of sound absorbing material.

 

[slief]

Try putting some mouse pad material between the skimmer body and the tank insulating the skimmer from the tank so that the skimmer isn't directly contacting the aquarium. That may help.

 

[slief]

I just did a quick search on that skimmer and most love how quiet it is. As such, I would try the above. If that doesn't help, I'd take the pump apart, clean the impeller as well as the pumps internals in vinegar and inspect it thoroughly inside and out. Given peoples feedback on that skimmer being quiet, I think your issue should be an easy one to fix.

 

[mattix]

yeah mines surrounded with a foam pillow and part of a foam topper for a mattress. I also only run the skimmer when the lights are on and just run 2 hydor koralia pumps pointed at the surface at night. Makes life a lot better at night lol