Loud waterfall from tank

[reeflink]

Just set up my new tank, took some time still dialing it in but I have a loud waterfall into my inner overflow from the tank. I’ve attached some pictures of my setup. I have a vortech s2 return pump set at 35% but I want to turn it up but can’t because of the noise

 

[blaxsun]

Which of the three overflows are you getting the waterfall sound in?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Just set up my new tank, took some time still dialing it in but I have a loud waterfall into my inner overflow from the tank. I’ve attached some pictures of my setup. I have a vortech s2 return pump set at 35% but I want to turn it up but can’t because of the noise

I just installed a new sump and same issue. I just got back from Home depot and bought a pipe to extend the line into the water. Now quiet as a mouse

 

[kenbennedy]

Just set up my new tank, took some time still dialing it in but I have a loud waterfall into my inner overflow from the tank. I’ve attached some pictures of my setup. I have a vortech s2 return pump set at 35% but I want to turn it up but can’t because of the noise

I believe raising the height of the primary/lowest overflow will result in quieter moving water: it will simply not fall as far

 

[reeflink]

But The secondary pipe sets the water level which the water level is above the 1”1/2 bulkheads. It’s just loud crashing from the tank into the inner part of the overflow. The sump is quite as a mouse

 

[reeflink]

Which of the three overflows are you getting the waterfall sound in?

Neither just from the tank into the inner part of the overflow

 

[Pistondog]

If the drop into the overflow is causing the problem, the you might need something to guide the water from the top down, at an angle, to minimize the splashing.

 

[blaxsun]

I think the water level in the overflow is too low.

 

[reeflink]

I think the water level in the overflow is too low.

The water level is abound the 1”1/2 bulkheads

 

[reeflink]

If the drop into the overflow is causing the problem, the you might need something to guide the water from the top down, at an angle, to minimize the splashing.

What could I put there without clogging up the inner box

 

[reeflink]

I just installed a new sump and same issue. I just got back from Home depot and bought a pipe to extend the line into the water. Now quiet as a mouse

It’s not in the sump or the back of the overflow but from the tank to the inner box slotted portion of the overflow

 

[blaxsun]

The water level is abound the 1”1/2 bulkheads

In my tank, the water level in my overflow is right at the edge of the emergency overflow pipe.

 

[Pistondog]

What could I put there without clogging up the inner box

Make sure the overflow water level is correct 1st.
Then post a pic of the overflow.

 

[Weasel1960]

Not an expert and haven’t plumbed one yet but it sounds to me like your primary drain (lowest) is draining the box faster than the pump. Consider closing the valve some. Also wondering if drilling a small hole at the top will help force air out of piping. @vetteguy53081 thoughts? Edit hoping to learn from this compared to what I have been reading.

 

[Soren]

I think you need to increase return flow and/or close down primary (and secondary?) drain valves to adjust draining rate of overflow in order to bring up water level in the overflow box to avoid the waterfall noise?
It looks like you have ball valves on the primary and secondary returns (with white PVC U's on the top) to adjust draining rate to match return rate. As you close off the primary (middle) return valve, the water level should rise in the overflow box (leaving return at the same rate) until the water starts to trickle through the U of the secondary (left in picture) drain before ever reaching the height of the emergency (right in picture) drain. If the water level is still too low in the overflow to stop the noise, you may need to raise the top of the U on the secondary drain as well as the top of the emergency drain.

I think a "bean animal" drain pattern, as it appears you have, should have primary flow controlled through the lowest drain until flow just trickles into the secondary drain (usually capped with a U like yours on left). Emergency is only used if either or both of the primary/secondary drains are clogged enough to limit drain-rate enough for the water level in the overflow to go above the top of the emergency drain.

@Weasel1960 replied while I was typing with much the same advice, if I understand correctly.

 

[dedragon]

it looks like you put either gate or ball valves behind the tank, do you have access to them to control the rate of water flow?

 

[Soren]

it looks like you put either gate or ball valves behind the tank, do you have access to them to control the rate of water flow?

@reeflink These are the red valve controls in the center of your first picture and are probably difficult to reach now that the tank is in position. You probably have to reach over sump and around behind the stand up toward the top tank to see if you can reach the valve lever. They appear to be levered ball valves rather than knobbed gate valves?

You will want these to be easily accessible for dialing in drain/return rate ratios...

 

[gbroadbridge]

You need to adjust the gate valves.

It is normal for them to be at the front not at the back of the tank as they can need frequent adjustment.

 

[gbroadbridge]

duplicate post

 

[Soren]

I also just noticed that it appears that there is a gate valve on the primary drain easily accessible from inside the stand and over the sump. By partially closing this valve, you should be able to adjust drain rate to come closer to matching return rate as I explained above.

You still may need to increase return rate as well, which should decrease the water level difference between tank and overflow which should make the waterfall sound less. The further apart the ratio of return rate and available drain rate, the greater the difference in elevation between water levels in the tank and overflow, and the greater the waterfall noise.