Should my tank sound like this?

defasum · Feb 12, 2017

Hello reefers,

I have had many successful fresh tanks in the past but this is my first attempt at a saltwater tank.

I have setup my equipment and decided to run a leak test using only tap water.
90G Oceanic bowfront
Skimz Sumpro UP22 Sump
Sicce Syncra 4.0 951gph pump
SCA-302 protien skimmer

It will be a few weeks before I can purchase the sand and rocks. I was taken by the way the water is cycling through the sump and the amount of noise it is producing. The water appears to be flowing in chunks and making quite a bit of noise. Is this expected?

link to video with sound. Any advice on what I may have done wrong would be appreciated. If indeed this is how loud it's going to be I may have to move the tank out of the family room.

Jason mack · Feb 12, 2017

Can't open the video !!!!

defasum · Feb 12, 2017

Thanks Jason,

I have not used youtube to share a video before. Could it be because I set it to private? It streams fine for me inside the thread. I figured by just posting the URL it would be accessible.

Jason mack · Feb 12, 2017

Yes I think that's it .. I get a message that it's private.!! But what kind of overflow do you have ..

defasum · Feb 12, 2017

I have a bottom drilled tank with a durso overflow.
I have set the video to public now. Please see if you can view the video.
The water seems to go down to the sump in chunks. I can see the water level fluctuating in the overflow and that is what is making most of the noise.

Martyd · Feb 12, 2017

I could open the video. The overflow is surging. It shouldn't sound like that. Can usually be fixed by enlarging the hole in the top of the durso.

slipknotgrrl83 · Feb 12, 2017

Martyd said:
I could open the video. The overflow is surging. It shouldn't sound like that. Can usually be fixed by enlarging the hole in the top of the durso.

+1

defasum · Feb 12, 2017

You reminded me that I have a flow adjustment on the pump. I had it wide open so when I turned it down to the lowest setting the noise is gone now.

So now I'm wondering if it's best to run highest flow and drill another hole on the durso or reduce the flow on the pump.
90G with 22G sump
Pump wide open is 951 gph.

Any advice is appreciated.

slipknotgrrl83 · Feb 12, 2017

I only run mine with valve half open

AZDesertRat · Feb 12, 2017

Drill a hole in the top of the durso and slowly feed a piece of airline tubing down into the flow until the noise and surging go away. I have posted this many times and a quick search should bring up more details. Makes all the difference in the world and increases the flow dramatically. You need to get the perfect mixture of air and water and it takes off like a rocket.

ReefNo0ob · Feb 12, 2017

I have a durso as well and mine did the same thing but an even louder hissing noise! I fixed it by cutting like a 6' long piece of airline tubing with a micro ball valve with barb fitting to fit inside the end of the airline tubing that will hang around the back of your tank. You could probably stretch the other end over that little knob on the top of your durso. You can adjust the ball valve to regulate the water level in your overflow and the water level wont fluctuate nearly as much and be virtually silent

bubbaque · Feb 12, 2017

I had the same issue and made a video about it and sent it to my local fish store for help. They told me that there was too much flow for the overflow so it was causing a full syphon. I slowed down my flow and the noise went away completely. You do not want tons of flow through your sump anyways, so your skimmer can take organics out of the water. Here is a video the video i sent to the LFS to show you I had the same issue. I drilled a hole an extra hole on top but it did not help me. It may of helped others but did not nothing at all for me.

FishGuyBri · Feb 12, 2017

All I did was raise my standpipe (it's adjustable) about an inch. Solved the flushing toilet syndrome. I also have a90g with durso, single pipe. I have a mag 7 and my tank is a bit tall so it worked out with flow perfectly. One issue I ended up with was foam in the sump (not from the skimmer) because the straight drain pipe came down too fast. I added a 45 degree elbow inside the sump on the pvc at the bottom of the drain line. Much improved. Good luck! You're in the right place to ask!