Frustrated with the overflow noise into your sump? This is how I solved my noise problem.
I have an external overflow that goes into a converted wet/dry sump. I was getting a gurggling noise from the overflow and a boiling water noise as the overflow pipe emptied into the sump.
I made a Stockman modified Durso standpipe (whew, that's a long name, but need to give the appropriate credit). This silenced the overflow gurggling noise. I still had a very loud boiling water noise as the water with air emptied into the sump. I had the pipe about 2 inches below the water level and it spit out large bubbles that created the noise.
I didn't want to try to slow down the overflow with a ball or gate valve because of the danger of it getting blocked by debris. Also, the standpipe has slowed the flow from the overflow as it is. I really didn't want any further slowing down.
I couldn't make the angled return at the water surface suggested by others because of my sump's configuration. The water empties into the enclosed bio-ball chamber.
The solution for me was suggested by someone on this board (sorry, I don't recall the name). I made a PVC "U" with the overflow pipe in the sump. It goes all the way to the bottom, then does a 90 degree to a horizontal pieace and then another 90 degrees and a pipe up to the surface of the water.
I modified the U configuration by adding a series of small holes along the top of the horizontal piece. I increased the size of the holes slightly from one end of the pipe to the other. The thinking was to let the air escape by way of small (less noisy) air bubbles as the water travelled along the horizontal pipe.
It worked. I now have an almost sump. The only noise I hear is the low noise of the tiny bubbles breaching the surface. If I close the stand, I don't hear anything from the sump or overflow.
I want to thank that unnamed person who pointed me in the direction of the U tube and also for Mr. Stockman and Mr. Durso. I can now focus on the many other problems with my tank in peace and quiet.
I've attached a picture. Should you have any questions on building this sump silencer, please feel free to ask or PM me.
I have an external overflow that goes into a converted wet/dry sump. I was getting a gurggling noise from the overflow and a boiling water noise as the overflow pipe emptied into the sump.
I made a Stockman modified Durso standpipe (whew, that's a long name, but need to give the appropriate credit). This silenced the overflow gurggling noise. I still had a very loud boiling water noise as the water with air emptied into the sump. I had the pipe about 2 inches below the water level and it spit out large bubbles that created the noise.
I didn't want to try to slow down the overflow with a ball or gate valve because of the danger of it getting blocked by debris. Also, the standpipe has slowed the flow from the overflow as it is. I really didn't want any further slowing down.
I couldn't make the angled return at the water surface suggested by others because of my sump's configuration. The water empties into the enclosed bio-ball chamber.
The solution for me was suggested by someone on this board (sorry, I don't recall the name). I made a PVC "U" with the overflow pipe in the sump. It goes all the way to the bottom, then does a 90 degree to a horizontal pieace and then another 90 degrees and a pipe up to the surface of the water.
I modified the U configuration by adding a series of small holes along the top of the horizontal piece. I increased the size of the holes slightly from one end of the pipe to the other. The thinking was to let the air escape by way of small (less noisy) air bubbles as the water travelled along the horizontal pipe.
It worked. I now have an almost sump. The only noise I hear is the low noise of the tiny bubbles breaching the surface. If I close the stand, I don't hear anything from the sump or overflow.
I want to thank that unnamed person who pointed me in the direction of the U tube and also for Mr. Stockman and Mr. Durso. I can now focus on the many other problems with my tank in peace and quiet.
I've attached a picture. Should you have any questions on building this sump silencer, please feel free to ask or PM me.
