Quietest Overflow Setup

[Jud]

Hey all -

Looking at a few options for my next tank. Going to be upgrading from a 40 AIO to probably either a 90 gallon long or 100.

Here’s my goal: achieve the quietest possible system. I live in an apartment and sleep mere feet away, so it’s a big priority.

Looking at a few different tank manufacturers from SCA to Aqueon to GlassCages, etc.

Here’s my question: if you had to choose the quietest, most efficient overflow on a new system, what would you get?

My first tank was bean animal, which was pretty great. I believe SCA uses Herbie standard? Aqueon I believe uses a single standpipe option on their single “mega flows”?

Thoughts? Herbie vs Bean vs Durso, internal overflow vs external box? Ball valves, flexible return lines vs hard plumbed?

Thanks!

 

[Ron Reefman]

I just built my own 90g tank and did an internal the full bean animal overflow with a gate valve on the open drain. I've had a number of systems over the years and I've never had one this quiet! I also made the weir of the overflow with holes rather than teeth and also made a lid for the overflow. It's so quiet that the fan of the led fixture, which is barely a very soft hum, can be heard when it kicks on!

You can see the entire build here:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ron-reefmans-new-90g-build.636706/#post-6344998

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Given the 'stay at home' order and the fact that I'm retired, I have the time to chat! ;Hilarious

 

[homer1475]

Just plumbed a shadow overflow(bean animal) on a 90G with remote sump for a friend. It's so quiet the only thing you can hear in the tank room is the wave makers ramping up and down.

I have a herbie setup and it is quiet, but no where near as quiet as the bean animal.

 

[GlassMunky]

Herbie or bean animal if you want quiet operation.
the full siphon used in both is what you need for silent operation regardless of which brand overflow, although personally I did find the synergy shadow overflows to be too loud even with the bean animal drain. the design of that overflow is just flawed and makes noise due to the inside and outside box’s being at different heights.

 

[GlassMunky]

Just plumbed a shadow overflow(bean animal) on a 90G with remote sump for a friend. It's so quiet the only thing you can hear in the tank room is the wave makers ramping up and down.

I have a herbie setup and it is quiet, but no where near as quiet as the bean animal.

I found the synergy overflows to be way too loud. Tossed mine in the trash and got an exotic marine overflow and it’s 200x nicer

 

[homer1475]

I did find that with the shadow, on higher flow rates, it is quite noisy. For our application I was able to slow it down enough that it wasn't noisy, and still have plenty of flow through the sump.

FWIW the newer version 2 still has a lower external box, but the redesign isn't as noisy as the original. They cut the bulkhead holes larger which means the water isn't falling as far.

 

[GlassMunky]

I did find that with the shadow, on higher flow rates, it is quite noisy. For our application I was able to slow it down enough that it wasn't noisy, and still have plenty of flow through the sump.

I tried everything from the lowest setting my pump would do all the way to the max and nothing would quiet it down.
most because of the 1-2” drop between the front and back box that you get a waterfall noise.
On my current overflow both boxes are at the same height so super quiet.

the first week of running the tank I actually got scared and thought the system had shut down every time I came home it was so quiet.

 

[homer1475]

How does one get below the trim(on a trimmed tank) when both boxes are the same height? Generally asking as my tank is rimless, and the one I just did was the first plumbing I've done start(drilling the tank), to finish, and my first 2 part box(all tanks I've had are bottom drilled).

 

[GlassMunky]

I’m not sure I follow what you’re asking?
the problem with the synergy is that the back box was lower that the inside.

I think if you have a trimmed tank you just have to use a thicker gasket to give you the extra mm needed tonot hit it with the box