I have a new skimmer that is quite noisy. If I have to keep it I wanted to place it on a silicone pad in my sump to help deaden some of the noise transfer through my plastic sump. Does anyone know where I can get a soft-gel silicone pad or some sort of soft-rubber-sponge pad (similar to a yoga mat)?

Also, if that doesn't work, what is the quietest and best working "in-sump" skimmer pump?

Thanks,

John

Hi John, :welcome: to TR.

I know people who use neoprene mouse pads under the pumps in their sump.

Thanks Carmie,

I have a yoga mat that I placed under my sump to stop noise transfer from the sump/motor/piping vibration to my cabinetry. I plan i cutting the same material and placing that inside my sump to rest my skimmer and skimmer pump on. I only hope there aren't any strange chemicals in the material. I don't think there is, it's only sponge/rubber. But it is made in China so you never know these days! :)

I would appreciate any comments if you have any concerns for placing this mat in my sump.

Thanks for the Welcome as well! :)

It is probably inert but who knows? I can say that I have never heard any horror stories of neoprene creating problems. I have noticed more and more silicon baking dishes, maybe if you checked a restaurant supply place you could find other food safe things that would do the job.

I have looked at silicone and actually have purchased some silicone 'hot pad" for the kitchen. They didn't deadend the sound as much as the neoprene pad. The only silicone that I think would work REALLY well is the soft silicone "gel" pads that you use for your elbows or wrists when working on computers. I've tried to locate pads like this but was unsuccessful finding just a simple "gel" pad that was about 1'-0" square. I've found other small gel items used for vibration damping which require mounting, etc. and I have no way to mount my skimmer since there is no base plate. So I will try the yoga mat and watch it to see if it "breaks down"
or the fish start acting strange (or worse dying).

I built a stand for my Euroreef out of egg-crate diffuser. This was to keep the skimmer at the proper water level/height for optimal skimming. I then put simple rubber suction cups on the bottom of the stand. I didn't "Stick" the cups to the sump bottom, but used them as absorbers for vibration control.

Dave