Loud overflow, thinking of changing things, could use some advice.

[averagesteve]

Hey all,

I purchased a 75 gallon (I think Marineland) tank with internal corner overflow from the marketplace, and I just got it filled and running with the (AC) return pump, new DC return pump on the way.

I have a few questions because the overflow is loud and bubbly at the bottom. It is a Durso style overflow with the return line right next to it, almost exactly as pictured. The water in the overflow is just above the holes in the sides of the drain, and it makes a lot of noise. I'm wondering if the DC pump, which is a lot stronger, will be able to tune the noise out OR if I should just cover the return into a Herbie type overflow and then put a over the top return on the other side. I'd rather not replumb stuff as I did that all weekend, and it's going to be a mess as the tank is full now, but I will do it if it's better for the long run, if Durso type overflows are just loud, I'd rather redo it. Any advice?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I would definitely go with the Herbie option. So much easier to quiet the overflow when you can have a dedicated full siphon drain.

 

[theMeat]

You could use the supply from pump to tank (hole) as a drain, which would make a herbie style, instead of durso. You’d then have to run supply over the top/rim, or drill a hole on the back somewhere, preferably on opposite side of tank from overflow. Or you could drill another hole inside the overflow box on bottom

 

[Tcook]

A durso! After 27 years I don't know what I would do if everything went quiet.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

You could use the supply from pump to tank (hole) as a drain, which would make a herbie style, instead of durso. You’d then have to run supply over the top/rim, or drill a hole on the back somewhere, preferably on opposite side of tank from overflow. Or you could drill another hole inside the overflow box on bottom

That's almost exactly what he said he might do... Minus the drilling, lol! (There is zero room in that overflow box for another hole)

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I would definitely go with the Herbie option. So much easier to quiet the overflow when you can have a dedicated full siphon drain.

I did this and plumbed the return over the top like you mentioned. Let me know if you need any help

 

[averagesteve]

I did this and plumbed the return over the top like you mentioned. Let me know if you need any help

Alright, looks like I have a huge weekend project ahead of me, converting the overflow into a Herbie type. I guess the help I would need, is how far down should I make the siphon part? or does it not matter?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Alright, looks like I have a huge weekend project ahead of me, converting the overflow into a Herbie type. I guess the help I would need, is how far down should I make the siphon part? or does it not matter?

This should help. My full siphon is a little higher than what is suggested, but there's a bit of wiggle room.

Herbie Overflow Plumbing Guide for Quiet Reef Aquariums - gmacreef

The Herbie method can quiet down your aquarium drain and eliminate microbubbles. The guide includes helpful diagrams and explains each component.

gmacreef.com

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

This should help. My full siphon is a little higher than what is suggested, but there's a bit of wiggle room.

Herbie Overflow Plumbing Guide for Quiet Reef Aquariums - gmacreef

The Herbie method can quiet down your aquarium drain and eliminate microbubbles. The guide includes helpful diagrams and explains each component.

gmacreef.com

And be sure to use a gate valve, not a ball valve.

 

[ta88brian]

Hey all,

I purchased a 75 gallon (I think Marineland) tank with internal corner overflow from the marketplace, and I just got it filled and running with the (AC) return pump, new DC return pump on the way.

I have a few questions because the overflow is loud and bubbly at the bottom. It is a Durso style overflow with the return line right next to it, almost exactly as pictured. The water in the overflow is just above the holes in the sides of the drain, and it makes a lot of noise. I'm wondering if the DC pump, which is a lot stronger, will be able to tune the noise out OR if I should just cover the return into a Herbie type overflow and then put a over the top return on the other side. I'd rather not replumb stuff as I did that all weekend, and it's going to be a mess as the tank is full now, but I will do it if it's better for the long run, if Durso type overflows are just loud, I'd rather redo it. Any advice?

I have same overflow it is silent

 

[theMeat]

Alright, looks like I have a huge weekend project ahead of me, converting the overflow into a Herbie type. I guess the help I would need, is how far down should I make the siphon part? or does it not matter?

The siphon should be at least a few inches below water level so it doesn’t suck air. The secondary shouldn’t be more than an inch below weir so water doesn’t make noise as it falls into overflow box

 

[averagesteve]

The siphon should be at least a few inches below water level so it doesn’t suck air. The secondary shouldn’t be more than an inch below weir so water doesn’t make noise as it falls into overflow box

I think this is actually the problem, the secondary is too far below the weir so it is trickling... Is there a way to make this silent or do I need to rebuild the drain?

 

[WVNed]

What does this mean?

I have a few questions because the overflow is loud and bubbly at the bottom.

Do you mean in the sump?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I think this is actually the problem, the secondary is too far below the weir so it is trickling... Is there a way to make this silent or do I need to rebuild the drain?

You don't have a secondary. You have a single drain, which cannot safely be a full siphon. A single drain like you have now is difficult to silence.

 

[averagesteve]

What does this mean?

I have a few questions because the overflow is loud and bubbly at the bottom.

Do you mean in the sump?

The sump where the overflow drains is really bubbly and making a lot of foam and a "gulb gulb" kinda noise. The top part where the water drains is trickling loudly at the weir. So it's loud a the top and bottom.

 

[WVNed]

The sump where the overflow drains is really bubbly and making a lot of foam and a "gulb gulb" kinda noise. The top part where the water drains is trickling loudly at the weir. So it's loud a the top and bottom.

Raise the bottom of the overflow drain pipe until it is just touching or slightly above the sump water level. The deeper you put it the farther you force the air into the water to make bubbles.

You need to raise the top of the drain until the water level in the overflow allows the water to enter through the weir and fall less than an inch or so. Look where that water level is in the overflow box now on the pipe and estimate how much higher it has to be from there.

I will tell you that these manufactured overflows arent meant for the kind of flow numbers you see on R2R. It is easy to overpower them with a large DC pump. I have dual corner overflows on a 180 and they only run about 1200 GPH together. I have a 75 gallon tank I drilled and it handles 1000gph and has 2 drains.

 

[WVNed]

If you use the drains the way they were designed to be they work fine. If you want more flow through the sump you will have to redesign it some of the ways already mentioned.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

The sump where the overflow drains is really bubbly and making a lot of foam and a "gulb gulb" kinda noise. The top part where the water drains is trickling loudly at the weir. So it's loud a the top and bottom.

It's loud and bubbly in the sump because it's pulling in air along with the water. You definitely don't want the pipe going into the sump to be above the water level! It needs to be about 3 inches under water.
If you read the link I posted earlier, it will give you a good place to start.

 

[theMeat]

I think this is actually the problem, the secondary is too far below the weir so it is trickling... Is there a way to make this silent or do I need to rebuild the drain?

On your durso it looks to be the adjustable variety. You can pull it up/push it down.
We’re talking inside overflow box ^

With that said you will have noise with a single pipe system because air must go down with water = not full siphon= gurgling. You can greatly quiet it if you cut down the flow. On a 75 gal, regardless of noise factor, would shoot for 3-6 times tank volume per hour through sump. On a single pipe system you could do a Maggie muffler or stockman standpipe, instead of durso. Either would be quieter.
The drain pipe going into sump should end about an inch deepinto water

 

[WVNed]

Here is the drain from my 180 gallon tank. It's flowing quite a bit of water from 2 Marineland corner overflows installed as supplied.

No violent frothing necessary. Not 1 inch or 3 inches under the water.

The reason is simple. The farther you put the pipe under the water the greater the pressure required to push the air out. The greater pressure causes the bubbles to form into larger ones that then get pushed out and froth the water as they rise and burst making noise. If you barely touch the water tiny bubbles come out that pop quietly and dont have any force to make noise.
Here are the 5 drains from a 180 and 240 entering my sump. See any violent frothing? There is a lot of water flowing through them.