A little advice needed on my plumbing...

[bigfoot86]

I've had a 90 gal tank up and running now for about 5 1/2 months now with a BlueLine external pump thats rated at about 1300 gph. The pump does run like a champ creating good flow in the tank, BUT the issue I have always been concerned with is in the 1st stage of my sump. The turbulence is so strong in the first stage its like a tidal wave. Wondering what I could do to calm the first stage down??

See my fear is with about the condesation and water build up outside of the sump, the other day I noticed our carpet was quite damp behind the tank. I don't see anys sure fine leaks anywhere so I'm thinking that its just the water splashing around so hard in that first stage.

I did put some extra pvc piping extending down below the water level when i built to reduce noise, but it still creating extremely strong water movement in the first stage.

 

[bucksfan1976]

I would maybe do the following

a. Put a ball valve on the return and dial it back
b. If you arent using one get a filter sock, with the drain going into that it can help with the issue as well

 

[Reefing Madness]

Break up the return line into more than one, the more you have the more it cuts down on the flow in each line.

 

[AZDesertRat]

What is the size and configuration of your overflow and standpipe? If the flow is not smooth and laminar you will get bubbles and turbulence as you are seeing. Any photos?
What is the size of the sump? A flow of 1300 GPH +/- in a 40G breeder sump is not excessive but 1300 in a 20H sump would have the velocity of a rocket ship. You probably do need to throttle the flow back like bucksfan suggested so you are around the 5x your display tand volume or maybe 500 GPH depending on the size of your sump, if its a small sump it may need even further reduction. Most recommend 3 to 5x the display volume for a return pump if the sump will handle the velocity without troubles.

 

[bigfoot86]

I will try and get back with a picture after work tonight if I can, but for the most part its just your normal 90 gal cornerflow with to straight pipes goin down into a little bit of flex tubing. I thought that it was just that its too much of a straight drop down into the sump. My sump is a 30 gal sump. And yes its pretty much a straight return flow to the tank with not many angles, so I prob get close to the pumps' full potential. I do have a gate valve to adjust the flow on the return, just never messed with it.

 

[pciscott]

Can you put a acrylic cover over the return section of the sump. I did this and it was twice as quiet as well.

 

[AZDesertRat]

The size, design and construction of the standpipe in the overflow can make a huge difference in how well it flows and how quiet it is.

 

[cdness]

Are your drain pipes slightly submerged in the 1st section of the sump at normal operation height?

Try adding a 45 degree elbow to the drain to direct the flow to not be a vertical drop.

Filter socks will cut down a little on the spray and bubbles, however they add another maintenance piece so keep that in mind.

I built what I called a gurgle remover for my 75 gallon tank back in the day. It is basically a way to separate the water and air before it gets dropped in the 1st section of the sump. I have attached a concept drawing of what I did so it should be easy to follow. Basically it lets the air escape out the top while dropping the water out the bottom of the device. Velocity itself remains the same but the amount of splashing is reduced to almost nothing since the device is at least half way submerged in the first section of the sump... Not perfect, but it is an option to keep your flow rate where it is while reducing turbulence.

 

[bigfoot86]

I will try and use the filter socks for some temporary relief, but you are right when you say, its just another maintenance duty to perform. Last thing I feel like but if it remedies the situation for now I will go for it. CDness, thanks for the idea.