Aquarium Rack - Overflow Plumbing Question

[drbogger]

So I am working on making a aquarium rack that will hold 8 x 20 Gallon Tanks..

I am planning on drilling the back of each tank, and install a bulkhead (Single drain design).

I have designed these overflow boxes using my laser cutter (see photos).

My question is:
- What should I do for a silencer (if any)?

Noise is not much of a concern as this setup will be in my basement, but I don't want it to be unbearably loud either.

Any ideas?

 

[theMeat]

Drill a second drain would be the best bet, and safer too.
Stockman standpipe the best option for single drain

 

[drbogger]

Drill a second drain would be the best bet, and safer too.
Stockman standpipe the best option for single drain

Unfortunately, I won't have enough room inside the tank for a stockman standpipe.

I was thinking something that could go on the plumbing on the outside rear of the tank... Like where the plumbing exits the tank..

 

[GlassMunky]

My glasshloes overflow had a piece of acryclic that sat inside the box and acted as a "ramp" to let that water smoothly flow down through the box rather than "falling" over the teeth. maybe something as simple as that would work

 

[theMeat]

Unfortunately, I won't have enough room inside the tank for a stockman standpipe.

I was thinking something that could go on the plumbing on the outside rear of the tank... Like where the plumbing exits the tank..

Yes. Outside the tank you could put a tee instead of elbow. With small hole drilled into cap on topside of that tee, with airline going into small hole, and an air valve on that hose. You would have to adjust to find sweet spot, and if all tanks are fed by same return...
Drill second drain, be done, be safer

 

[theMeat]

My glasshloes overflow had a piece of acryclic that sat inside the box and acted as a "ramp" to let that water smoothly flow down through the box rather than "falling" over the teeth. maybe something as simple as that would work

That’s a good idea. The height of the plumbing inside the box would accomplish the same thing. If the water level inside box isn’t much lower than outside the box then it doesn’t have far to fall and won’t make noise.
The issue that is harder to address is with a single pipe drain, air and water goes down the same pipe, making gurgling noise.
If you can fashion a way to restrict the air, then you can make it quieter, but it will be sensitive to fluctuations in gph

 

[GlassMunky]

That’s a good idea. The height of the plumbing inside the box would accomplish the same thing. If the water level inside box isn’t much lower than outside the box then it doesn’t have far to fall and won’t make noise.
The issue that is harder to address is with a single pipe drain, air and water goes down the same pipe, making gurgling noise

the overflow im speaking of was a single drain.... it wasnt overly loud sice inside the box the water flowed down the ramp and the air passed by the sides of the ramp...... ill try and get a pic of what im talking about

 

[drbogger]

the overflow im speaking of was a single drain.... it wasnt overly loud sice inside the box the water flowed down the ramp and the air passed by the sides of the ramp...... ill try and get a pic of what im talking about

Yes please, a pic would help

 

[drbogger]

Yes. Outside the tank you could put a tee instead of elbow. With small hole drilled into cap on topside of that tee, with airline going into small hole, and an air valve on that hose. You would have to adjust to find sweet spot, and if all tanks are fed by same return...
Drill second drain, be done, be safer

I don't really want to do a second drain on each tank. It would require a lot of reworking of what I have already done. Plus additional cost.

But I do like your idea of using a TEE. I might just do it this way.

 

[GlassMunky]

 

[theMeat]

Yup, i’m Familiar with glass holes.
Here’s a vid

Glass holes uses an elbow with air hose. I suggest using a tee to make it higher/safer, and a valve to control air to make it adjustable/quieter.
You could also use a street elbow inside the box turned upward. That would make water level inside box higher, so it doesn’t have as far to fall