Vibrations are killing me softly (PLEASE Help)

Ashish Patel · May 2, 2023

Tried everything to minimize the humming but each time i do something it gets worst. I did upgrade the return pump from a 100 to 160 watt pump so that increased noise. My buddy whos not a hobbyist told me to make the hole in the ground bigger bc the pipe is causing vibrations on the floor board - does he have a point?

1. Started the tank with hard plumbing and changed to soft at the bottom.
2. Added the clamps and added silicone between the wood and pipes.
3. upstairs there is only one clamp (due to access issue) so return pipe 2" is just floating.

Dbichler · May 2, 2023

Looks like you have down pressure on your pump either shorten the flex tube or put sponge under the pump.

Ashish Patel · May 2, 2023

Dbichler said:
Looks like you have down pressure on your pump either shorten the flex tube or put sponge under the pump.

Shorting the pipe would be a big undertaking right now but I have some black sponge so may give that a try.

vetteguy53081 · May 2, 2023

Ashish Patel said:
Tried everything to minimize the humming but each time i do something it gets worst. I did upgrade the return pump from a 100 to 160 watt pump so that increased noise. My buddy whos not a hobbyist told me to make the hole in the ground bigger bc the pipe is causing vibrations on the floor board - does he have a point?

1. Started the tank with hard plumbing and changed to soft at the bottom.
2. Added the clamps and added silicone between the wood and pipes.
3. upstairs there is only one clamp (due to access issue) so return pipe 2" is just floating.

Yuck sponge as a damper for vibration. I also the past placed pump on a square of filter felt

Rubymoon286 · May 2, 2023

I agree with a sponge underneath the pump - On smaller pumps I've even glued silicone cushions on the feet and anywhere the pump contacted the chamber it was in which also helps, it's tricky to find larger silicone pads that don't already have a sticky back though, and I don't now how reef safe the adhesive is on the ones that come sticky back.

Ashish Patel · May 2, 2023

vetteguy53081 said:
Yuck sponge as a damper for vibration. I also the past placed pump on a square of filter felt

I have a bunch of this stuff. I also have the black sponge type.

Salty_Northerner · May 2, 2023

And you say this happened after you changed the pump?

elysics · May 2, 2023

Is it a good pump? You say you increased the power, but did you also increase the quality? The difference in noise between a high quality motor and a low quality motor can be massive

Ashish Patel · May 2, 2023

elysics said:
Is it a good pump? You say you increased the power, but did you also increase the quality? The difference in noise between a high quality motor and a low quality motor can be massive

Im sure its not the pump. I use the smaller version as a backup now and as a mixing station pump where its as silent as my vectras. Its the 12 foot head pressure. Every time i make a clamp adjustment the vibration just transfers somewhere else

Ashish Patel · May 2, 2023

The stronger pump increases noise but i can dial back the speed which reduces flow and noise. However i need that 3-4× turnover so run it at max

Ashish Patel · May 2, 2023

vetteguy53081 said:
Yuck sponge as a damper for vibration. I also the past placed pump on a square of filter felt

Didnt do anything. I think it further transfered vibration to the floor. I think im gonna have to cut the pvc and cut a larger hole in the subfloor

vetteguy53081 · May 2, 2023

Ashish Patel said:
Didnt do anything. I think it further transfered vibration to the floor. I think im gonna have to cut the pvc and cut a larger hole in the subfloor

At this point- sounds that way

Nerdist Aquarist · May 2, 2023

I use silicone tubing instead of flex tubing. They are much softer and greatly damper any vibration from pumps.

mtraylor · May 3, 2023

Put a rubber mat/pad under the pump and rubber gromet around the plumbing where you have it braced. Maybe that will help

polywise · May 3, 2023

Try running your hand along the pipe from the tank back to the return pump. At some point you will get to the area that has a higher focus of the vibration sound. It might be a good starting point.
Also, have you tried removing the clamps on the vertical pipe that connects to the white piece of wood, and slightly move the plumbing away from it? I think that's your vibration transfer point. If sound goes away you might want create as stand off from the foundation and connect to it.

Dburr1014 · May 3, 2023

Silicone tubing as nerd said is the biggest dampener. If still loud, you need cushion between pipe and white 2x4.

Ashish Patel · May 3, 2023

vetteguy53081 said:
At this point- sounds that way

Dude, my wife just told me the the sound got worst. After adding the filter floss and sponge under the pump. I wish I had a bulkhead return in my overflow but I didnt plan to have one since I initially had a 1" seaswirl return. Got rid of it since it was reducing flow signifcantly so now just have 1i

Dburr1014 said:
Silicone tubing as nerd said is the biggest dampener. If still loud, you need cushion between pipe and white 2x4.

I have silicone between the 2×4 and pvc in the basement. Not upstairs though. It gets louder everytime i do something to damper the noise. Its very annoying

Dburr1014 · May 3, 2023

Ashish Patel said:
Dude, my wife just told me the the sound got worst. After adding the filter floss and sponge under the pump. I wish I had a bulkhead return in my overflow but I didnt plan to have one since I initially had a 1" seaswirl return. Got rid of it since it was reducing flow signifcantly so now just have 1i

I have silicone between the 2×4 and pvc in the basement. Not upstairs though. It gets louder everytime i do something to damper the noise. Its very annoying

Foam should be used on the pipe, not silicone. Foam like for hot water pipe.
Silicone will still transmit the vibration, it's too solid. You need something that gives like foam.

Ashish Patel · May 4, 2023

My wife text me in the morning. Lol

Auto-pilot · May 4, 2023

Ok here's my thoughts. I'm an aircraft mechanic and we have all kinds of pipes and pumps and runs that can cause vibrations and we have to repair noises all the time. Replace Any clamp that secures your pipe with something that's rubber. If that pipe makes a solid connection to anything hard it will make noise. It sounds like that pipe isn't secured tight enough. Make sure it isn't touching a joyste or the subframe of the house. This is for a smaller pipe but maybe you can find something similar.