HELP? Algae Issue? Overflow Issue? Noise! Return Pump.

[Beausoleiljacob]

Hi Everyone,
I am a few problem with my 60 Gallon Cube Reef Tank. Ever since I have set it up I have had problems with the over gurgling however today after forgetting that I never increased my flow past the minimum on my syncra 4.0 return pump I decided to turn it up just a little to get some more flow. Is that pump too much for my tank? Nevertheless, do you have any idea how to make my overflow not be so noisy. I will attach a video. In addition my tank has been set up now for almost a month and a quarter. I still have tons of green algae in my tank and still am not sure what type of algae it as. I can certainly say it's not green algae. However I decided to test my Nitrates and Phosphate and both tests showed 0. I used the Salfait test kit for phosphate and API for nitrate (I know not the best choice and accurate) so when know nitrate is less than 5. However, what should be done to get rid of this algae. Just wait it out? Lastly, since I am new to this whole coral think I just wanted some feed back on my goniastrea is looking okay. The pic was taken at night after the lights were shut off.
Thanks!

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

 

[NanaReefer]

May have your pump turned up to high. Dial it back a bit till flow is steady.
As for the algae, looks to be normal growth before the start of coralline. Get a small Turbo Snail.
Not familiar with that coral but it looks ok.

 

[jaws789832]

On your over flow I think its just the opposite, your pump is too low. I don't know your whole setup but what is happening is the syphon is getting up to a full syphon which creates too much water being drawn from your tank, until it drops back to a partial syphon then the pump catches up. A full syphon draws a lot more water out of the tank than a partial, hence the surge you are getting. 3 options, 1 turn your pump down until it maintains a partial syphon. With this option you will hear gurgling all the time as a partial syphon is usually noisy. 2. turn your pump up until it keeps a full syphon. Be careful with this as you don't want to get overpower you syphon and flood the house or drain your sump. 3. install a gate valve on the syphon (which is the preferred method) and dial it closed until the syphon remains full.

 

[Lenny_S]

The hole on a Durso style overflow needs to be on the top, not the side like yours is. The problem you have is not the pump volume. What's happening is the standpipe is creating a siphon, that rapidly increases the drain, then it hits the hole and breaks the siphon causing all that noise. By having the vent hole at the top of the elbow of the standpipe, this prevents a siphon from ever forming and thus only allows the overflow to be gravity feed.
Here is a link describing a Durso... http://www.dursostandpipes.com
(Edit: the algae is normal and the coral looks OK to me. If you fix the standpipe by just making a hole on the top, you can probably crank your pump up full and you won't have any noise)

 

[jaws789832]

Just out of curiosity how many overflow pipes do you have going into your sump? 2 or 3?

 

[Lenny_S]

Just out of curiosity how many overflow pipes do you have going into your sump? 2 or 3?

It's a single drain and looks like they tried a Durso. It's not a bean or anything like that. They have another thread here https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/does-everything-look-good-do-you-see-anything-wrong.228071/
You can see the whole setup better.

 

[coral.trout]

I'm not overly experienced but I've just installed my sump and return and 2 x over flows. When I first installed the system I had both my overflows in the water in the sump it was a really loud gurgle.. I then cut the pipe just so it's above the water line in the sump and all of a sudden the water was flowing freely and not a peep.. Except for the splashing noise so all I did was silicone in a little acrylic plate on an angle to muffle the splash into a 'flow' works a treat.

 

[jaws789832]

OK that changes things then. Disregard what I said in my first post. Lenny is right in his post. You don't want a full syphon in that system, put the hole on the top of your pipe.

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

Just out of curiosity how many overflow pipes do you have going into your sump? 2 or 3?

This is the overflow that came with the tank. Yes it is a Durso. I'm pretty sure it's a Marineland Plumbing kit.

 

[Lenny_S]

This is the overflow that came with the tank. Yes it is a Durso. I'm pretty sure it's a Marineland Plumbing kit.

Well, IMHO, it's a poor design. A hole at the top of the elbow will solve the problem. If you want a little test, just put a tight fitting tube in one of the holes on the side and make sure the end stays above the waterline

 

[mcarroll]

I am a few problem with my 60 Gallon Cube Reef Tank. Ever since I have set it up I have had problems with the over gurgling however today after forgetting that I never increased my flow past the minimum on my syncra 4.0 return pump I decided to turn it up just a little to get some more flow. Is that pump too much for my tank?

Yes, that pump is WAY too big for your tank.

2x to 4x the display's volume, in GPH, is all it takes in most cases. I could see 5x in some cases. Mind you this is actual measured flow - or at least well-estimated flow using a head-loss calculator - not the flow rating from the pump's box or the drain's rated flow. Using a gallon jug (or whatever you can fit) on the return outlet to time how long it takes to fill is the best way to gauge your actual flow rate. Measuring at the drain is just as good if that's easier.

So...

60 gallons
x2
=120 GPH

x4
=240 GPH

x5
=300 GPH​

At 5' (1.5 meters) head, your Synca 4.0 is rated for about 625 GPH (2500 L/h):

If you can, cut the flow back by about half (or more) and your drains will quiet right up without causing you any more hassles. And your system will be fine! Trading for a smaller pump would make a lot of sense if possible.

Anything from a Syncra 1.5 to a 2.5 should be more than enough pump!

 

[Lenny_S]

@mcarroll, isn't it easier to just drill out the top of the Durso? It just isn't properly vented. And how is higher tank turnover rate a bad thing? And aside from height, diameter of pipe/tubing and fittings all affect head loss. And let's face it, all these companies advertise a flow rate that is only achievable under the most perfect conditions.
I just don't understand what is wrong with a higher turnover rate and why this person shouldn't just try the simplest solution.

 

[mcarroll]

The OP said it and it's in the thread title: noise

• Noise like that almost always implies splashing or salt spray as well.
• Overkill is a strong tendency in this hobby, but rarely a good thing.
• It would be different if the extra flow was needed here, but it isn't.
• There's also the angle of fixing a problem vs dealing with the resulting symptoms.
• And it's an easy fix...even easier than drilling hole. In fact he most likely won't even need the Durso.

 

[Lenny_S]

Ok, well if decreasing the flow will prevent the drain from creating a siphon then problem solved.

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

Just wanted to let everyone know the issue was solved. I increased my flow the slightest bit and underneath my return pipe after elbow is a little hole to prevent syphoning so I added a little zip tie in the whole and that solved everything. Thanks for all the help!