Help with Sump and Noise...

Raven312

Member
So, I finally got my 65g (mostly) set up but this has been a journey! I got some (what I now see is very fine) sand from someone and though I rinsed it thoroughly I had a sandstorm for 2.5 days (mainly because I mixed the saltwater in the tank, then added the sand). I've never liked my sand this fine, so that was a mistake. Now my sump... finally have it plumbed and doing a test run I got a tank full of bubbles (looks like it's starting to clear), the bubbling of the drain pipe is driving me nuts, and I have a slight leak at the return pipe bulkhead. I have a Mag 9.5 pump and I've had to use a ball valve (I'll replace it with a gate valve) to turn down the flow to match the drain. I'm using 1" PVC. I'm guessing I should have used 1.5" on the drain. I placed a sheet of floss in front of the return pump in an effort to get rid of the bubbles until I can deal with it.
For the drain, will it decrease the noise if I increase the length of the pipe to extend about an inch into the water? That will still leave me plenty of room for siphon. The humming of the return pump... should I set it on a rubber trivet or something, will that help? Is it too late to increase the drain pipe size? If not, how should I go about it with a 1" bulkhead?

I'm exhausted...

Hopefully you can see the video I've uploaded to Youtube (never done that before...)
https://youtu.be/NsQ2ST06-Ug


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"I have a Mag 9.5 pump and I've had to use a ball valve (I'll replace it with a gate valve) to turn down the flow to match the drain. I'm using 1" PVC. I'm guessing I should have used 1.5" on the drain."

IMO a pump has one function and they dont put dials on them to slow them down for a reason. So in short I would say yes you need a larger drain pipe and a ball valve on it to control the flow of gravity.

I am no expert on pumps so it could also be your pump is to powerful, but I dont think it's wise to try and restrict flow of a pump, seems to me it would make it try to work harder to do as it's intended.?

As for the humming of the return pump I have seen people make egg crate platforms for there skimmers and pumps not sure how well it works but one of these other guys Im sure has got so frustrated by it they created something useful for ya.
 
Put a draw tie filter bag on that thing! You want to catch as much shit as you can before it hits you skimmer. You can screw up the skimmer pump that way with the sand. Then a fine filter pad or what ever (optional) depends on who the hell you talk to. I personally like clear clean water. then pump is the last stage.
 
No, it's at the water line, which I'm sure is accounting for the bubbling. I'm going to add a pvc extension (fastest, easiest potential solution) and see if that quiets the drain. I've been thinking about a DC pump. Guess I need to get serious about it. Maybe I can trade my Mag 9.5 for a Mag 7; I'll reach out and see if anyone wants the exchange.
 
Put a draw tie filter bag on that thing! You want to catch as much shit as you can before it hits you skimmer. You can screw up the skimmer pump that way with the sand. Then a fine filter pad or what ever (optional) depends on who the hell you talk to. I personally like clear clean water. then pump is the last stage.

What do you recommend for a filter bag? I agree, I don't want to mess up the skimmer pump. The floss in front of the return pump has curtailed the bubbles in the tank and seems to be helping to clear the water. I'll put another piece in front of the skimmer pump, for now.
 
ok and your sump is still draining faster then it fills?

Sorry if I sound like im repeating myself or you.. Just trying to make sure we on the same page. :)
 
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Bleh there goes the easy fix of increasing the size of the drain pipes lol, Again Im no expert in pumps so lets see what people say on choking them up.

Worse case scenario kill the pumps for the night till you get an answer bud.
 
Bleh there goes the easy fix of increasing the size of the drain pipes lol, Again Im no expert in pumps so lets see what people say on choking them up.

Worse case scenario kill the pumps for the night till you get an answer bud.

I was thinking along those lines. I'd just have to find out what size pipe to expand to. I still suspect that changing to a smaller pump is going to help too, so that the inflow will mate up with the output a little better. Thanks a lot for your help and troubleshooting. On a side note, the tank is MUCH clearer.
 
YW and invest in a filter sock for sure :)

Google or youtube sizes of pvc pipes for Drain and return pumps for reef tanks, someone has done the work im sure :) GL bud
 
Use the larger pipe as a full siphon and the smaller as a trickle/emergency drain. Then use an elbow outlet over the back as your return (can still exit at the same location). Look up the "herbie" style overflow. I was running one on my 20g. 100% silent and often used in the standard corner overflows.

Also NEVER restrict your drain with any type of valve unless you have a secondary drain to pick up the slack if there is a clog. The only place a valve should be placed in your current system is exactly where you have it.
 
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Use the larger pipe as a full siphon and the smaller as a trickle/emergency drain. Then use an elbow outlet over the back as your return (can still exit at the same location). Look up the "herbie" style overflow. I was running one on my 20g. 100% silent and often used in the standard corner overflows.

Also NEVER restrict your drain with any type of valve unless you have a secondary drain to pick up the slack if there is a clog. The only place a valve should be placed in your current system is exactly where you have it.
I just ordered a DC pump, which will give me some control over the flow without hurting the pump. I'll pick it up tomorrow. I will look into changing the drain and adding the emergency drain but my objective was to keep it simple so I could learn more about what works and what doesn't for my tank. I think immediately I'm going to add an extension to the drain pipe and see what that will net me. Ordered filter socks and a holder also. Expensive night! ?

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You aren't going to hurt mag 9.5 by dialing it back some with a ball valve. You aren't going to get silent with a durso no matter what you do. Quiet maybe, but silent can only be achieved with a siphon drain. Personally I would cancel the DC pump, filter sock, and holder, and switch over to a herbie overflow. All you need is a gate valve and some additional PVC. With that you could probably run that mag 9.5 at full bore if you really wanted and still be 100% silent without a single bubble in your sump.
 
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You aren't going to hurt mag 9.5 by dialing it back some with a ball valve. You aren't going to get silent with a durso no matter what you do. Quiet maybe, but silent can only be achieved with a siphon drain. Personally I would cancel the DC pump, filter sock, and holder, and switch over to a herbie overflow. All you need is a gate valve and some additional PVC. With that you could probably run that mag 9.5 at full bore if you really wanted and still be 100% silent without a single bubble in your sump.
I didn't expect silent, just quiet without the gurgling. I have an extension so I'll put it on tonight. I've been looking at the Herbie and Beananimal setups and will have to do some more studying. I wanted to keep this simple until I know what I'm doing (not that I'm not capable but I've put a lot of time into this so far and I want to sit and enjoy the tank for a few minutes before getting elaborate).

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 
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