Quieting a skimmer

[Bulldog07]

I finally got my skimmer in about a month ago, about a week before my sump leaked. Very long story short, I now have a 40b sump next to the DT. I have a reef dynamics ins185 (I think) that I had bought used, but still working great. The problem is the thing is unbelievably loud. If I lift the pump off the glass it quiets down a lot. I have read about people putting a mat of some kind under return pumps. Could I do the same with a skimmer? What is usually used?

 

[George Lopez]

Is place a dense sponge under it to isolate the vibrations. Or make it some rubber feet. Just try to keep it level whatever you decide. Not sure if hot glue is ok for salt water but ask around if it is you can always make feet out of that, simple and easy.

 

[jsker]

I would look at replacing the pump with a DC pump. DC pumps are very quite and controllable.

 

[Murica]

I put a shower towel over my pump, muffles the sound a lot but you can still hear it

 

[Cment]

BRS sells a noise damping mat. Its made from 100% silicone and works well when placed underneath the pump. You can also find 100% silicone pot holders at many stores that essentially do the same thing

 

[Breadman03]

100% silicone pot holders

This is probably the easiest "add on". Other than that, you might shift the skimmer's position a little bit to see if it stops resonating.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I like the soft rubber suction cups mine has underneath it. They are just strong enough to hold it in place so it doesn't move and start rubbing up against the wall of the aquarium but soft enough that I can easily pull it out if I need to. They also provide a good amount of sound dampening.

 

[vertigo01]

Not sure if this helps but, I placed my sump on a 1" piece ( it's what I had at the time ) of Styrofoam to help keep the pumps ( skimmer and return) from vibrating against the bottom of the sump.
I can't hear the skimmer nor the return pump from 1'.
The sumps, filter sock weir is a different story altogether..lol

 

[Bulldog07]

Not sure if this helps but, I placed my sump on a 1" piece ( it's what I had at the time ) of Styrofoam to help keep the pumps ( skimmer and return) from vibrating against the bottom of the sump.
I can't hear the skimmer nor the return pump from 1'.
The sumps, filter sock weir is a different story altogether..lol

Thanks forthe responses! I think I'm going to try the silicone mats. My other hobby is baking, so I should have some extra mats around somewhere that I haven't used yet.

 

[Bulldog07]

Thanks forthe responses! I think I'm going to try the silicone mats. My other hobby is baking, so I should have some extra mats around somewhere that I haven't used yet.

I can't seem to find in writing on anything I have something that says 100% silicone. Is there any way to tell? What has anyone else used?

 

[Pivitol]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/silicone-vibration-silencer-oxo-good-grips.html

 

[leepink23]

I use the silicone pot holders for my return pump and the silicone mat ftom BRS gor my skimmer, the mat was bigger and fits perfectly gor the skimmer. They both held alot with pump vibration.

 

[Bulldog07]

So the mat didn't do much. Someone mentioned replacing it with a DC pump. I have tried about every combination of search terms,and I've got to be missing something because I can't seem to find a direct replacement. I have a reef dynamics ins185. Is there a pump that would work? Do I need to just find a quieter pump and diy something to make it work?