Help!

AmandaRaeJean · Aug 31, 2016

Hey guys... I am not new new to the salt life aquariums, but fairly new to creating my own 55 gallon sump. I purchased a 265 gallon tank in rough shape, re-siliconed, re-done, and its working great with the setup I have. My issue is the noise. It sounds like a waterfall in my living room. Its somewhat peaceful at times except when you cant hear someone talking softly next to you, or cant hear the tv. So Here are some images to what I have going on. I just would love the sound to go down a few levels if possible. Please give me some advice. I wont take it personally, I may have done a few things differently or wrong not knowing what I should have done. Thanks in advance!!

Also in addition to helping with the noise problem, are there any solutions to creating a makeshift lid for my 55 gallon sump? The evaporation is insane!

The tank is still being built, I have not transferred my previous tank over just yet. It is not ready. (reasons for it being so empty and sad looking)

Mandrew · Aug 31, 2016

I'm no pro at all but I'm about to plumb my 2nd sump system and I plan on running the overflow lines lower into the sump so they're under water, or at least closer to the surface. So my opinion is where your lines go into the sump you should add on another piece of PVC straight down so the water isn't splashing.

DereksReef77 · Aug 31, 2016

Add 2 more pieces of pvc to you 90 degree fittings going into the sump. Make it so they are in the water of the sump. Maybe like an inch under the water surface. Or put some filter socks on the discharge lines in addition to adding more pvc past the elbows.

DereksReef77 · Aug 31, 2016

I also think that you need the other u tube in your overflow box. Thats a big tank for only one u tube. And you are probably sucking in alot of air making it noisier.

AmandaRaeJean · Aug 31, 2016

DereksReef77 said:
I also think that you need the other u tube in your overflow box. Thats a big tank for only one u tube. And you are probably sucking in alot of air making it noisier.

I def plan on getting another u tube. When I ordered the overflow box, the picture and description showed two u tubes. When I received it, only one came with it. I am in the process STILL with the person I bought it from. about to give up and just buy another.

jsker · Aug 31, 2016

Look into these overflows, they have a pump that siphons the DT water and there are not U tubes. I agree with @DereksReef77 add length to the line in the sump so that they are about a inch and a half from the bottom of the sump.

AmandaRaeJean · Aug 31, 2016

jsker said:
Look into these overflows, they have a pump that siphons the DT water and there are not U tubes. I agree with @DereksReef77 add length to the line in the sump so that they are about a inch and a half from the bottom of the sump.

Will do that today. This might be a dumb question, but that wont create a siphon going back up right?

DereksReef77 · Aug 31, 2016

Siphon is only created by gravity. Gravity pulls everything to the center of the earth. Therefore you will never create a siphon going up, only possibe to create a siphon going down.

recess62 · Aug 31, 2016

One more suggestion. You might consider securing the lower portion of your overflow pipes. Those are some pretty long levers and a small amount of movement might result in cracks developing in the overflow box

jsker · Aug 31, 2016

@DereksReef77 and @recess62 all good advice

tripdad · Aug 31, 2016

One other suggestion, drill a small hole, 3/16", about 1/2" above the waterline in the sump, in the extension pipes going down into the sump water that the above are suggesting you add. This will let air escape when the water hits sump water level and stops some minor gurgling that can occur at that point.

DurocShark · Aug 31, 2016

She has dual drains. Nobody is suggesting Herbie?

Also, OP, are you in SoCal? If so you can use my old overflow until you get yours sorted.

AmandaRaeJean · Aug 31, 2016

DurocShark said:
She has dual drains. Nobody is suggesting Herbie?

Also, OP, are you in SoCal? If so you can use my old overflow until you get yours sorted.

Herbie??

DurocShark · Aug 31, 2016

AmandaRaeJean said:
Herbie??

http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/

moreef · Sep 1, 2016

AmandaRaeJean said:
Will do that today. This might be a dumb question, but that wont create a siphon going back up right?

All very good advice and will make for a quieter and safer tank. You don't have a pic of your return but you definitely can siphon water into sump when return pump is off if your not careful. You will want several small holes in return if it's under water ( although based on the bubbles on left of tank ) your return is above the water line. If so this should be under water a bit as that will also be quieter and less salt creep. Also looks like your plumbing isn't glued so watch for leaks ( I can see water beading on one of the pipes ) Good luck your on the best forum imo

cromag27 · Sep 1, 2016

Any time you have open channel drains you are going to have noise. no noise with full siphon. I vote Herbie. quieter and way safer than what you currently have. way more efficient as well.

AmandaRaeJean · Sep 1, 2016

You can see water beading from which pipe? I did glue all the pvc. I didn't heavily coat on the exterior. I made sure it was leak proof before permanently putting in place, at least I thought. The return is above the water line with a drilled hole.

moreef · Sep 1, 2016

after looking again its probably from splashing in the sump. Nice clean job on gluing them together. I would put the return outlet under the water so you don't have so many bubbles in the display. The drilled holes will break the siphon when pump is turned off.