Help reducing noise

[Ardee]

i have just setup tank and it is quite noisy from the overflow area. No real noise to speak of underneath. The problem is that return pump tube has a hole in it to prevent back syphoning and it shoots out water making a lot of noise. Any ideas on how to reduce the noise?

I do not have a canopy yet but will be getting one.

 

[rayn]

Your return has a hole? I don't get the reasoning behind that. Now the drains I get to prevent the siphon.

How low is your return in the tank?

 

[twilliard]

The hole that is drilled should be right under the water level of the tank.

 

[Ardee]

That's my problem. It is too high in the tank. It's not under the water level. Any ideas to help with that?

 

[twilliard]

Plug the hole or replace that section.
Make sure your return sections are placed at a level that your sump can carry

 

[Caseyoidae]

Could you plumb that anti siphon line down closer to the water surface? Maybe point it at something to make less of a splashing sound? Like an overflow

 

[Ardee]

I am going to have to see about plugging hole. I might could figure that out.

Is there any reason that hole has to be there or could I just plug and leave?

 

[Caseyoidae]

The hole is there so you don't overflow your sump/ floor in the event of power loss. If you raise your return lines almost out of the water you won't really need that hole any more but a test run would be a good idea. Just make sure you know what's going to happen if the power goes out! You could try unplugging the return while you're there and see what happens after plugging the hole. Them at least you can plug it right back in if the sump gets to high. Much better than finding out the hard way and coming home to a wet floor! Hope this helps

 

[Caseyoidae]

Basically the hole is there to break the siphon by sucking air back down to the sump Instead of water

 

[jdelgado0440]

Hello there new here..
I had the same problem and the way I fixed it was by zip tying a sponge right over the hole. The water would still come out of the hole but would trickle instead of jet out.

Notice the sponges underneath the elbow. Also when I turn off the pump you can hear it start siphoning air through it so it doesn't fully block it.

Hope that helps!
Jorge

 

[rayn]

If you are doing this to help with back flow into the sump, I disagree with it.

Set your sump up to hold the back flow in case of a power outage and adjust it to hold that amount. When I start a new tank I fill the tank, then the sump just to operating levels. Once it is all working, forget the noise at this point, then shut the system down. The overflow and returns will back flow as they do. Just wait till ALL water quite moving and fill your sump up with water. Turn system back on and mark your sump somehow. This is your operating level in the sump. Set your ATO, if you have one, to keep the water at this level. Should be good with no worries.

Only way I see this not working is if your ATO is fed straight off your ro/di line and your shutoff fails for some reason. Then it overflows AND you loose power at the same time.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Drilled holes, much like check valves, are a false sense of security and can and do fail, besides being noisy as you have found out.
As long as your return is just slightly below the surface and you have sufficient spare room in your sump you should never need to worry about a flood. When power goes off the level drops until the return is exposed and the siphon breaks, an air gap. It needs no maintenance, makes no noise and it cannot be defeated.

In my case I have a 5 foot 100g with the returns 3/4" under the surface and a 30g sump. When power goes off only 3.5 gallons siphons back until the returns are exposed and the backflow stops. We all know water can't jump uphill so it is idiotproof.

 

[Ardee]

That makes heat sense. I will be changing the head up and going with no hole. Thanks.

 

[troyle84]

Easiest "fix" is to use a zip tie and partially closed of that hole, which will reduce much of the water coming out of that hole so it will have less noises. And at the same time, it will still allow the siphon to break jus in case