Gulping Noise in Overflow

nagreen · Jul 5, 2017

I got my new(to me) tank installed this past weekend. I've been thinking that the ATO is malfunctioning but now i think it is the overflow that is malfunctioning.. I have the IceCap ATO which has an alarm that goes off if the water level goes higher than the sensor.. and when i turn it on, hours later i always find the alarm going off and there to be too much water in the sump..

What i figured out though is that i think it's the overflow doing it.. every 15-20 seconds drain pipe down to the sump makes a gulping noise and when it does that, the water level in the sump drops a tiny bit for a couple seconds until the water pours back in.. that's why its pouring fresh water into the sump making the alarm go off..

So does anyone know why it's making that gulping noise or how to fix it?

Here's some pics of the overflow and sump

ndrwater · Jul 5, 2017

At first glance, I would say the problem is your flexible drain tube. You are creating essentially a "trap" like you would have under your sink or toilet. Water is collecting in the lowest point until there is significant water and pressure to "burp" the drain.
Move the hose to that water isn't trapped on the way to the sump

leepink23 · Jul 5, 2017

I agree on the flexible tubing. Also If I Cut my return pump up to high my drain pipe will make the same sound and fluctuate water volume.

CoralReefer1019 · Jul 5, 2017

straighten up your drain pipe get rid of the bend

nagreen · Jul 6, 2017

Well i couldn't straighten it completely but I played with it and got the gurgling noise to go away - for now.. should i just go with pvc? The pvc would still need a couple turns to get it over to the sump which would cause the same problem right?

nagreen · Jul 6, 2017

Thanks by the way.. i'll look at it some more tomorrow and try to get it worked out

Big G · Jul 6, 2017

nagreen said:
Well i couldn't straighten it completely but I played with it and got the gurgling noise to go away - for now.. should i just go with pvc? The pvc would still need a couple turns to get it over to the sump which would cause the same problem right?

Most use pvc, but there are other choices. BRS for example sells "soft silicone tubing" that is very easy to cut to length and bend as necessary or they also sell "braided vinyl tubing" which is more rigid but you can soften it by warm it up and bend it as needed. Both are very simple to use if the thought of cutting, gluing, etc. of pvc is just something you just don't want to do.

USCG CWO · Jul 6, 2017

I agree with all above also if you have a valve on your return pump you can dial it down so it doesn't overwhelm your overflow try to push more water than it can handle.

nagreen · Jul 7, 2017

Help!!
Last night at about 9:30 i decided to switch the drain tubing to pvc.. after a lot of trouble with it and a couple hours, I got the pvc on and turned the pumped back on and guess what..
The bulkhead is leaking..
I didn't even think I touched the bulkhead but i guess that I moved it when i was trying to make the pvc fit together..
I tried moving it around for another 30 min or an hour and gave up and decided to just not run the sump for the night and today and just look at it this evening when i get off work.
I put the heater in the display tank and have 3 powerheads running with one breaking the surface of the water for gas exchange.
Any advice on the bulkhead?

Big G · Jul 7, 2017

nagreen said:
Help!!
Last night at about 9:30 i decided to switch the drain tubing to pvc.. after a lot of trouble with it and a couple hours, I got the pvc on and turned the pumped back on and guess what..
The bulkhead is leaking..
I didn't even think I touched the bulkhead but i guess that I moved it when i was trying to make the pvc fit together..
I tried moving it around for another 30 min or an hour and gave up and decided to just not run the sump for the night and today and just look at it this evening when i get off work.
I put the heater in the display tank and have 3 powerheads running with one breaking the surface of the water for gas exchange.
Any advice on the bulkhead?

Are the rubber washers on the inside of the tank?

USCG CWO · Jul 7, 2017

I imagine you are over torquing the bulkhead when you tried to get the PVC lined up. Can you move the whole sump a little to take some of the pressure off the bulkhead. I have had to do this before because the PVC didn't quite line up when I glued it.

CoralReefer1019 · Jul 7, 2017

I was told to not over tighten bulkheads because it can crack the tank. I would be very careful replace the rubber washer. Not sure if you can put a water seal putty or pvc glue there. For mine I just hand tighten it I have a durso stand pipe

Engloid · Jul 8, 2017

The problem isn't going to be any trap in the line. As with any trap, the amount of water put in one side will always equal what comes out the other. The problem is your overflow piping in the overflow box. What it's doing is establishing and losing siphon over and over. If that's your only drain to the sump, you do NOT want any siphon to ever form. It may be that you're simply pumping more water into the tank than the return can handle. You could always put a valve in your pump line going up to the tank, but then that would reduce flow. I'd recommend experimenting with your overflow piping in the overflow box. First thing I'd do is pull everything in it and see what happens with just an open hole in the bottom. It may be loud, but you will then see if your fitting can handle the flow rate you're trying to put through it. If it doesn't do any gurgling, add pipe one piece at a time until you find where the problem is. If it gurgles, you may have to use bigger pipe/fittings, or reduce pump flow rate.