Plumbing Help -- Overflow is loud

[ps2cho]

I am having problems with my new frag tank. Its gurgling and slurping constantly. The noise is coming from the bulkhead itself where the water enters.
My return pump is the Jebao DCT3000 and it does it regardless of setting -- Lowest or maximum...

I've drilled a hole with a tube that extends down and I have tried adjusting it. Even with it completely removed and the hole exposed, it makes no difference and the noise still comes from the bulkhead.

I don't know what to do here to silence it... If my overflow box was bigger I would fit an elbow so its under the surface, BUT my box is low profile, so can't do it. There must be a way to eliminate this!

 

[TheEngineer]

That's going to always gurgle unless you put an elbow in the overflow that's under water or you put a valve on that drain line so you can pull a slower siphon. Look up pictures of the durso overflow.

 

[ps2cho]

So what you're saying is I basically need a new overflow box and the slim ones won't work for me?

Is there an option for me to add an external box to make this work?
Does anybody sell just a simple external box without the internal overflow?

 

[Toakhuynh]

or you can try with valves to control the flow, I think the problem because the flow too much.

 

[TheEngineer]

So what you're saying is I basically need a new overflow box and the slim ones won't work for me?

Is there an option for me to add an external box to make this work?
Does anybody sell just a simple external box without the internal overflow?

You don't need a new overflow box. You are getting noise because the plumbing can handle way more flow than you have when it is pulling a siphon. That is completely normal. I can't remember the ratios, but a siphon pulls something like 5x the amount of flow as an open drain. What is happening is that your drain is pulling a siphon which drops the water level in your overflow box until air starts to pull into the drain line. That's when it makes noise. This is when the siphon breaks. The water level in the box will rise again and it will start all over. Or you may be getting a constant sucking sound and no level change in the overflow box.

There are two solutions that I know work (there may be others):

1. You get more air into the drain line so you can't pull a siphon. You tried this with the air tube. It isn't enough air. Make a bigger hole or a few holes and attach a valve to the airline so you can tune it.

2. You put a valve on the drain line itself so you can control the rate it pulls water down. You will be able to dial in a siphon rate that matches your return pump. The issue with this is that unless you have a secondary drain line you risk a flood.

 

[Tammy and Brad]

If you change the elbow to a T and add a cap to the top with a hole drilled in the top will eliminate the noise . I posted 2 pics, the first shows you the T and the second is where the cap should be. Please beware I do not have a cap on it yet but that is where the cap sits...

 

[icemanalex]

Try and put some media floss in the drain, I use the blue pads and cut to size, this catches any debris and reduces noise , cut it big enough not to get sucked down the bulkhead.

 

[ps2cho]

Ok it guess either way the overflow box has got to be razored off to get a new bulkhead in to make the T since everything is glued already.

I'll report back once I have the T installed..hopefully the local fish store sells bulkheads as I haven't found them anywhere locally!

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Ok it guess either way the overflow box has got to be razored off to get a new bulkhead in to make the T since everything is glued already.

I'll report back once I have the T installed..hopefully the local fish store sells bulkheads as I haven't found them anywhere locally!

Not sure where you're located and not sure what size bulk head you need but Menards sells 1/2" and 3/4" bulk heads for rain barrels. They can be found in the plumbing section. Also are you sure you can't fit a "street" 90 elbow in that box?

 

[wpeterson]

Another option might be to add an external drain outside the tank.

You are currently going directly from the bulkhead in the overflow into your drain pipe, which makes the half-covered bulkhead inlet your main drain and it gurgles.

Alternately, you could add an external acrylic box and install a new bulkhead in that box under the water line and plumb that bulkhead to your drain. This would allow water to flow from the internal overflow to external quietly and then drain under the water line.

This is how my overflow is setup.

 

[Bichito]

I am having problems with my new frag tank. Its gurgling and slurping constantly. The noise is coming from the bulkhead itself where the water enters.
My return pump is the Jebao DCT3000 and it does it regardless of setting -- Lowest or maximum...

I've drilled a hole with a tube that extends down and I have tried adjusting it. Even with it completely removed and the hole exposed, it makes no difference and the noise still comes from the bulkhead.

I don't know what to do here to silence it... If my overflow box was bigger I would fit an elbow so its under the surface, BUT my box is low profile, so can't do it. There must be a way to eliminate this!

Hello , I know is a really old threat, do you solve the problem? Im having the same issue right now , I truly need help with the noise and the overflow Setting

attached pictures of my project

thanks in advance