Noise!

Sinestro · 02-25-2007, 01:55 PM

My tank is now up and running/cycling. It is making a crazy amount of noise...

I don't know what all the proper terminology is...but I'll do my best to describe what I have. Inside the overflow (which is centrally located) there are three pipes. Two of these are "return pipes" from the sump. They exit the overflow on the sides of it through a "fixture" that has two nozzles that can be pointed in different directions. The 3rd pipe in the overflow, it the means for the water to travel to the sump. All three of these pipes go through the bottom of my tank. The pipe that leads to the sump extends up into the overflow about a foot. I didn't build the overflow, but when I received the tank and peered down into the overflow, it looked like the pipe leading to the sump had a "cap" of some sort on it, with a number of holes in it (to let the water in). In addition to all this, the overflow (at the reccomendation of the LFS that built it) is filled with bio-balls.

Now I know everyone says "Don't use bio-balls, the LR+sand is your bio-filter." But the LFS placed them there to "cut down on the noise" from the overflow (if this is true...I can't imagine how much louder it could be).

Ok, so now the noise seems to definitely be coming from the overflow, and it sounds like when the last bit of water drains down the drain (a slurping type of sound), but really loud and ALMOST continuous (every once in a while for a second or two, it stops).

It seems like the water is being pumped into the tank at a rate that the overflow is struggling to match. I wonder if I decrease the rate of return (closing the ball-valves attached to the pumps) if that will help.

Is there anything I can do to address this problem?

Ocelot199 · 02-25-2007, 02:09 PM

Is there a little straw for air to get sucked into the pipe that leads down into your sump?

And I wouldn't decrease the flow on your return pipes. Your powerheads will continue to push out as much water as they do, and you might burn them out if you restrict that. Try turning one of them off and seeing if that helps.

If not, try taking out the bioballs and see if that helps.

Just keep trying things until you find the source of the noise.

**Seahorsedreams** · 02-25-2007, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinestro

I don't know what all the proper terminology is...but I'll do my best to describe what I have. Inside the overflow (which is centrally located) there are three pipes. Two of these are "return pipes" from the sump. They exit the overflow on the sides of it through a "fixture" that has two nozzles that can be pointed in different directions. The 3rd pipe in the overflow, it the means for the water to travel to the sump. All three of these pipes go through the bottom of my tank. The pipe that leads to the sump extends up into the overflow about a foot. I didn't build the overflow, but when I received the tank and peered down into the overflow, it looked like the pipe leading to the sump had a "cap" of some sort on it, with a number of holes in it (to let the water in).

Can you grab a pic of your setup. Sometimes that really helps. But I can picture what you are saying.

Taking out your existing standpipe will help. Here's a thread I made while back about building one yourself. It's very easy to do. Standpipe thread. These standpipes stop the water noise occuring in the overflow from the water entering hitting the lower water level.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinestro

Ok, so now the noise seems to definitely be coming from the overflow, and it sounds like when the last bit of water drains down the drain (a slurping type of sound), but really loud and ALMOST continuous (every once in a while for a second or two, it stops).

The valve in the cap of the standpipe helps with standpipe glug.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinestro

It seems like the water is being pumped into the tank at a rate that the overflow is struggling to match. I wonder if I decrease the rate of return (closing the ball-valves attached to the pumps) if that will help.

Deal with the other two issues and it very well may take care of the third issue. But don't turn back the valves. It's best to build T-trottle, we like to call it. Lemme go back a diagram so you can see better what I mean. It can be hard to explain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinestro

In addition to all this, the overflow (at the reccomendation of the LFS that built it) is filled with bio-balls.

Get the bioballs out. They are just serving to catch debris and you will have a mess on your hands eventually. With the new standpipe you won't have to worry about that noise.

Sinestro · 02-25-2007, 07:11 PM

Renee,
Great job with your instructions on building the standpipe. Here's my situation. I had the overflow done by the guys at the LFS. They built/installed the current set-up. I'm not sure how easy it will be to replace the existing standpipe. I assume the one I have is cemented in place. Do I just shut off the pumps, and clip the pipe a few inches above the bulkhead and build it onto the stump that is left?

**Seahorsedreams** · 02-25-2007, 08:55 PM

It really shouldn't be cemented. If it were I would be kicking a few shins.

Sinestro · 02-25-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahorsedreams

It really shouldn't be cemented. If it were I would be kicking a few shins.

It's a bit late right now. Tomorrow, I'll find out if any shin-kicking needs to happen.

**Seahorsedreams** · 02-25-2007, 10:53 PM

Hey, where in Southern California are you? I live in Torrance.

Sinestro · 02-25-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahorsedreams

Hey, where in Southern California are you? I live in Torrance.

I'm in Thousand Oaks.

**Seahorsedreams** · 02-25-2007, 11:10 PM

Well, I'm glad I don't have the kick the shins of any of my local guys.

Sinestro · 02-26-2007, 11:57 AM

Ok, I took out the bio-balls and removed the standpipe. I snapped a pic of the inside of the overflow. It looks like I won't be able to make the durso mod as tall as I'd like, because of the return lines/pipes. I still think it will help, though.

Here's the pics...

**Seahorsedreams** · 02-26-2007, 12:20 PM

Oh my goodness! Look how far that water falls in there. You really need to modify the return pipe get my type standpipe in there nice and tall. Unless you are resigned to living with that waterfall noise..... That would drive me NUTS!

Are the return pipes glued in the bulkheads? If so, as it appears, I would be cutting the whole works out and replumbing that part as well. That's crazy!

Sinestro · 02-26-2007, 02:11 PM

Went to Home Depot and quickly put this together. I'm waiting for the cement to dry, then I'll try it out...

Sinestro · 02-26-2007, 02:40 PM

It works!!!

Now I simply need to quiet down the pumps a bit (I hear foam is the way to go). What type of foam do people use for this...and where do you find it?

PreauxPhoto · 02-26-2007, 03:05 PM

Tips & Tricks

**Seahorsedreams** · 02-26-2007, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinestro

It works!!!

Now I simply need to quiet down the pumps a bit (I hear foam is the way to go). What type of foam do people use for this...and where do you find it?

Eggcellent... I always wondered how a bend in the overflow would turn out... what would you say the noise is like now when compared to before.

Sinestro · 02-26-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahorsedreams

Eggcellent... I always wondered how a bend in the overflow would turn out... what would you say the noise is like now when compared to before.

The sound is dramatically decreased. Now the humming of the pumps seems louder....

**Seahorsedreams** · 02-27-2007, 08:29 AM

You didn't throttle back the pump flow, did you? I forget to take a pic of a a T-trottle. I'm at work at the moment and I promise to get to it.