Soundproofing Loud Reef Systems

[sneakerpimp]

I have a 210g with a 75g sump housed in an aqueon classic mission stand. My pump is a Reeflo Snapper Hybrid and my skimmer is a Vertex IN-180.

It's a beautiful system that is somewhat marred by the amount of noise it outputs into the room. The mechanical hum of the pump and skimmer make other activities in the room less enjoyable.

I'm not good at DIY and was wondering if anyone could help me with ideas for sound proofing my system. I looked up and found materials like Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) and acoustic foam. But if anyone has any tips on Keeping systems quieter, feel free to hijack the thread.

Pics of my system:

The back of the stand is open.

 

[clownfreak]

Sound is just air movement, in other words when your pumps vibrate they cause noise. They could vibrate against the stand, meaning a dense foam would probably soundproof it best. Also, if you try closing the back of the stand it may help to keep some sound in. You could use old heavy blankets to help absorb sound too. Some people have used mouse pads under skimmers and I'd assume other pumps to reduce vibration.

 

[WhoDey64]

Bulk reef supply has sound dampening pads made for the reeflo pumps on their website.

 

[mike_cmu04]

Also if you use flex pipe it will help with the vibration hum in the piping.

 

[sneakerpimp]

Also if you use flex pipe it will help with the vibration hum in the piping.

It's just standard piping. The tank has been running for about six months now.

 

[RVANANO]

My return pump drove me nuts. Always sounded like a dishwasher running. I decided to drill holes in the floor in my closet and put the pump on a small table in the crawl space under the house. Super quiet now. If you don't have that option than the dampening pads would probably help the most.

 

[Chris27]

I have the same stand and canopy for my 180, and also a Reeflo pump....try tweaking a few things and you may find the vibrations cease a little. Put the reeflo on some foam, and move the skimmer around to ensure it's not touching the sides of the sump. Have someone simply lift the skimmer up off the bottom while it's running, and the noise may very well go away.

 

[sneakerpimp]

I have the same stand and canopy for my 180, and also a Reeflo pump....try tweaking a few things and you may find the vibrations cease a little. Put the reeflo on some foam, and move the skimmer around to ensure it's not touching the sides of the sump. Have someone simply lift the skimmer up off the bottom while it's running, and the noise may very well go away.

Thanks, I will try this.

 

[cilyjr]

whenever i set up a new system i plumb a medium piece of vinyl tube into the return line as the pump vibrations on rigid piping can often resonate. also some type of rubber legs between the pump and the floor (or bottom of the tank if internal pump is used) is a must.

 

[Matt Dean]

Easy! Just do what i did and spend a fortune on Red Dragon pumps and a Bubble King Skimmer with a Red Dragon Pump!:spin1:

I initially got a IN-180 but it was far too loud. Ended up with the BK instead. Try the padding mentioned above and make sure nothing is touching. Are you running a Herbie drain? That helps too!