Loud sump need help before wife loses it!

USMA36 · Mar 12, 2017

Ok, finally have water in my tank after close to a month of building, buying, studying, and learning. Fired everything up tonight all pumps are whisper quiet, but the water draining into my sump is loud as a small to medium sized waterfall. Although I love the sound of nature my wife is not a fan. How can I quiet this down? I thought about extending the tubing so it sits underwater, but then I'd never be able to get my filter socks off to change them out. I'm really hoping there is a fix. My tank is 90 gallons with 2 1" stockman standpipes which are also running very quiet. My sump is a trigger ruby 36. My second problem is a slow drip from an elbow. Luckily it is over my sump so it isn't getting anything wet. Is there a way to fix this without having to tear apart the plumbing? It drips one drop every 15 to 20 seconds. I have attached a couple pictures so you can see my dilemma.

hybridazn · Mar 12, 2017

The only way is to make them empty under the waterline.

USMA36 · Mar 12, 2017

I figured as much but how in the world will a change the filter socks? They click into the frame on the sump.

Smo · Mar 12, 2017

Well you appear to have flex lines going into your filter socks. So, if they were longer, extending below the filter sock water level, it should reduce much of the noise and yet allow you to slide them up to remove the filter socks. I would try that first.
If still too noisy--research a Herbie drain system.

shovelhead · Mar 12, 2017

Add a coupler that has a barb/slip fitting then add pvc pipe to extend below water. PVC will need to be small enough to slide into opening.

Mark2480 · Mar 12, 2017

If you lift the sock up a little from the holder you can angle it to slid right though the hole, then just slid them down under the return tube. I have a trigger ruby sump and that how i do it because mine are plumed with pvc.

Fishgeek88 · Mar 12, 2017

For the leak a quick fix that may work may not is to put some clear cement around the leaky joint, wiping away excess...sometimes if it is a really slow leak it works.

For the drains, I would put bulkheads in and put pvc extensions under them. Like the picture shown but probably longer

elFloyd · Mar 12, 2017

Extend below the water line. To remove the sock.... lift the rim up... tilt... move down through the sock holder... under the drains... and out. Reverse to put them back in.

USMA36 · Mar 13, 2017

I guess I have no choice but to extend the hose below water. The flex hose isn't really all that flexible. I still think I'll have a problem getting the filter socks off especially with the skimmer in the way. I saw someplace else that someone placed a Luffa type sponge in the sock to break up the falling water. Any opinions?

Girish23 · Mar 13, 2017

Just extend the hose little bit touch down to your water line

ReeferBob · Mar 13, 2017

Just use a union. I have unions on all of my drains in the sump and I just unscrew the ends and the socks come right out. It helps if you use a compression fitting right above to be able to rotate the plumbing out of the way once you unscrew the union.

AllSignsPointToFish · Mar 13, 2017

I used lightweight bilge hose I bought from Lowe's to extend the flow under the waterline. With a little persuasion, it fits right over the end of standard 1" schedule 40 PVC pipe, and I used a hose clamp to secure it. Now, I just pull the hose out into the sump, change the filter sock, then stick the hose back into the sock. Much more flexible the braided PVC!

lariat8099 · Mar 13, 2017

Absolutely extend the tubing or PVC slightly below the waterline and this will fix your problem

reeftilldie · Mar 13, 2017

u dont need filter socks

flyfisherman · Mar 13, 2017

reeftilldie said:
u dont need filter socks

This

ReeferBob · Mar 14, 2017

reeftilldie said:
u dont need filter socks

This is debatable. You do need some sort of mechanical filtration. Yes, some very established systems (DSB, etc) can get away without it but for most of us, we can't. A filter sock is good for this but realistically should be cleaned weekly. I have one system with filter socks and one without. The one without I put a Fluval FX5 filter in the sump for mechanical filtration. I am debating going back to the socks though canisters are such a PITA for maintenance.

njtiger aquariums · Mar 14, 2017

as everyone said put it below the water line. I had a corner tank with a very tight sump so I understand your situation. I found removing my socks wasn't hard. Did the skimmer get in the way yes but what I would do is remove the skimmer cup each time (which was hard) which gave me clear path to the socks. I would slide the socks down the pipe until I would get it around the pipe.

USMA36 · Mar 14, 2017

When I get home I'll try adding in a sponge first and if that doesn't cut the sound down enough I'll extend the pipe so it sits under water. I think the super flexible drain hose will work the best in this particular situation. Although I love the ruby sump, the sock socks lock into a plastic flange which is meant to have the socks slide straight back to remove. Having the lines under water, the flange, and the skimmer in front makes it difficult to slide the sock down the pipe. I appreciate everyone's help and recommendations..

njtiger aquariums · Mar 14, 2017

USMA36 said:
When I get home I'll try adding in a sponge first and if that doesn't cut the sound down enough I'll extend the pipe so it sits under water. I think the super flexible drain hose will work the best in this particular situation. Although I love the ruby sump, the sock socks lock into a plastic flange which is meant to have the socks slide straight back to remove. Having the lines under water, the flange, and the skimmer in front makes it difficult to slide the sock down the pipe. I appreciate everyone's help and recommendations..

trick I used to get my socks off was to lift it a little and tilt the lip of the sock on an angel so it would slide between the sock mount and down the pipe/hose