need help with overflow drain noise

S

splatee

Hi everyone,

I just got a megaflow kit for my 65gallon RR cube and i am having some problems with noise in the sump. This is my first time using an overflow so i am a little confused.

I have a 1" drain and 3/4" return with a Rio 1700 for the pump which i am going to replace soon.

On the drain i have a shut off valve and then the tube goes into a rubbermaid 18 gallon sump. It curves slightly in the water about 2" below the surface. If i have the valve all the way open i get alot of big bubble and burping noise. In order for me to stop it i close the valve about a 1/4 or so to slow the flow down, this makes it pretty queit and just a fine spray of bubbles and no more burping noise. Now is this ok to do? I havent noticed any water backing up in the drain. Is there anything else i can do instead of closing the valve down?

Thank you
 
If I understand you correctly, the problem is noise from the water in the sump? You stated that you have the drain 2 inches in the water in the sump. Try to bring that closer to the surface. Some people don't even have their drain IN the sump water. I found mine does best if it's no more than 1 inch in the sump water. Additionally, it has been my experience that the drain is always a little noisy at first. Once bacteria lines the pipes in the drain, usually takes a week or so, the drain does quiet down some.
 
Thanks for the info everybody. I played around with it some more today and i can hardly hear it now.

I have another question.
I have a 18 gallon rubbermaid that i am using as the sump. Can i use the cover that came with it and just make two holes for the drain and the return to quiet it down more and to keep the salt spray from getting on the cabinet? Will this cause any problems?

Thank you
 
That may add some heat. What you can do is cut out a large area out of the center of the lid, and then put it in place. That will allow the air to transfer out any heat, and still contain salt creep.

Using a ballvalve choked back to silence a drain is like playing russian roulette. If a snail or fish end up in that drain line, they can effectively plug up the hole and the main tank will overflow since it can't drain. Never close the ballvalves unless you want to stop the water from draining 100%.

Over the years, I've had my share of fish and inverts go down the drain pipe.
 
Thanks for the info.

I didn't even think about something going down the drain and clogging it. I will open the valve all the way, right now it closed just very slightly. I am also going to make something for the end of the tube that will not cause so much big bubbles.

Thank you
 
Try this: http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/pvc_cut.jpg
 
That was kinda what i was thinking about doing, looks real simple.
I will be trying that out this weekend.

Thank you
 
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