Quieting return pumps

[E Rosewater]

I just upgraded my tank today. I'm now running 2 Sicce Syncra 3.0s and they are loud. I have them suction cupped to the bottom of the sump connected to the return with 3/4" braided vinyl tubing. Anyone have any suggestions to quiet them down?

 

[cap032]

Is your return line leaning against the sump? I ask because my 3.0 is nearly dead silent but once I had the return line leaning against the rim of the sump and it made a vibration noise. If not, perhaps they need to break in a little.

 

[wildman926]

put rubber padding under as well.

 

[E Rosewater]

I moved the line off the side of the sump, still pretty loud. I'll have to mess with more tomorrow, it's good to know that the 3.0 can be silent

 

[bigfish14]

Try a mouse pad under the pumps

 

[zeebies]

That braided vinyl tubing can be pretty stiff and transfer vibration. I use a length of silicone tubing off of the return pump. I also use a silicone hot pad (from a kitchen speciality store) under the pump.

 

[E Rosewater]

After a couple days running the pumps really quieted down. However my skimmer (SRO3000) is sitting on an eggcrate stand that I made and that is making quite the loud hum. I figure a good piece of rubber under it should take away most of the noise, what kind of rubber would you suggest that's reef safe?

 

[pkirby]

Glad your sicce quieted. I used to think my SRO pump was quiet, until I replaced my mag 7 return with a sicce syncra. Now the SRO seems loud!

 

[toofrigginswt]

I put a piece of shipping foam underneath my pump. It works much better than a mouse pad.

 

[James77]

You can also suspend the pump in the water by using string to hold it up.

 

[cap032]

After a couple days running the pumps really quieted down. However my skimmer (SRO3000) is sitting on an eggcrate stand that I made and that is making quite the loud hum. I figure a good piece of rubber under it should take away most of the noise, what kind of rubber would you suggest that's reef safe?

Thats good to hear. As for the bubble blaster pump, I have the sro 2000 int and my pump has had always had a "hum" to it (5-6 months running). Im not sure the hum can be removed. I believe its just the natural resonance of the pump. Like the Sicces though, if new, it should quieten a little after break in.