DIY Auqasilencer

[rocket]

This is my third attempt to quiet my overflow. Its better than the last attempts (at least its not trying to flood the tank) but by no means quiet. It still makes WAY to much noise for my enjoyment.
I did install a tube in the cap which helps the drainage but doesn't do anything for the noise.
It basically sounds like a flushing toilet in my living room...
If I knew that a real CPR CS100 would improve the noise Id run out and buy one now!
How do people get HOB overflows to be quiet? Please HELP!!

 

[rocket]

I spoke to soon, It caused my tank to overflow, so the sump nd over flow are going out the front door! Im so frustrated!!!!

 

[theJ]

geez man, that only lasted 6mins?! How did it malfunction and flood your carpet?

 

[rocket]

I'm not really sure, I was sitting trying to hear the TV over the gurgling noise and then water hit the lids and then dripped down the glass, i saw that and unplugged the return pump which saved the carpets. Ive been watching the water level ever since. It seems to fluctuate up and down for no reason... at least I'm not changing anything. I'm afraid to go to bed!

 

[Krish]

Hey Nate! Is the flushing sound coming from the overflow itself or where the water enters the sump? If it is where it enters the sump, how do you have the plumbing setup to allow the water to enter? When I ran my sumps, I use to get a flushing/belching sound as water entered the sump. Drove me nuts!!!!! What I did to silence it (which helped a friend of mine here as well with the same problem) was put a Tee where the water enters the sump from the overflow to disperse the water some and I never heard my overflow since. If you look at the pic below, you can see what I mean where the Tee is at the bottom of the plumbing...I've also used a CPR overflow before and was pleased with it other than having to use the aqualifter. I had to keep atleast 3 spares onhand because one burned up on me and I almost lost the siphon:shock: I'm not sure which one you have now (although I may have an idea if it is built similar to the CPR) but if the tank is acting like it wants to overflow, then I'm thinking either the pump is too big for the overflow to handle or you are still somehow losing your siphon a bit. If you are losing the siphon a bit and air is getting into the lines, that's probably what's causing the gurgling sounds as trapped air can cause that. In any event, let me know how you have the sump setup for incoming water and if it is at all possible to just slide a Tee on it like I had mine (you don't have to glue it), maybe you can give it a shot and see what happens

 

[theJ]

I'm afraid to go to bed!

I dont blame you!! I remeber the first time I had to go to work after setting up the sump I was scared of the same thing happening. So I understand, which is overflowing, DT or sump?

 

[rocket]

Well after mid night last night I had to pull the sump out of operation. Now my cabinet is soaked! Right now my tank is running with no skimmer, phosban filter or UV filter (all were moved to sump).
Krish, I think your on to something. I had a 1"ID braided tube running from the bulk head down to the sump with a couple bends that seemed to slightly "kink" the tube. No way to avoid because of the clearance from the top of the tank to the bottom of the cabinet support being only 2" at the most. Ill try to take some pics tonight. When the sump was running, I had crazy amounts of bubbles coming from the intake tube and yes a fair amount of noise was coming from that tube and the water entering the sump. Should I try to straighten that tube? I may need to hard plumb it with PVC to do that, would that help? I would need to use a few 90's and I like the TEE on the end of the tube idea. So LATE last night I ordered a CS100 to replace my current overflow, it should be here tomorrow, I hope... that bumps me up to 800gph and with the mag 9.5 hopefully flow wont be an issue...
Thanks for looking and helping me!!!

 

[rocket]

Oh I was also thinking about trying to find so stiffer tube, something like a vacuum hose or hot tub hose that could take routing under the cabinet without kinking... any advice on that?

 

[Krish]

Hey Nate! Something stiffer would be much better IMO. Have you ever seen flex pvc before (also called flex spa sometimes)? That's what I used on that sump. You can glue it just like regular pvc but also, it can bend rather than using 90's. Here's a shot of the back of that same tank with the flex coming from the drain. and for the closed loop. Gotta run, but will be back later

 

[Krish]

Sorry I had to run, but what I wanted to add was when I ran my CPR overflow on my 75gal, I used a ribbed hose that you can buy here http://www.globalpets.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=175C0000-953663625
and here how it was set up on that tank so you can see the ribbed hose. I also used the Tee in the sump as well

 

[Meche]

Kinks are very bad. I would use elbows to avoid them, either 90s or 45s.

 

[rocket]

Cool, I guess I will look into that flex pvc. Im trying to find that ribbed hose but no one in town carries it. I noticed in your last picture that the hose had a little rise in it before it hits the sump, did that cause any nose or problems?
Heres my current plan, CS100 (with aqualifter) to 1" bulkhead then 1"ID sprial flex tube to sump with a TEE fitting at the end.

 

[Krish]

Cool, I guess I will look into that flex pvc. Im trying to find that ribbed hose but no one in town carries it. I noticed in your last picture that the hose had a little rise in it before it hits the sump, did that cause any nose or problems?
Heres my current plan, CS100 (with aqualifter) to 1" bulkhead then 1"ID sprial flex tube to sump with a TEE fitting at the end.

Your plan sounds great man and as for the little rise causing a gurgling sound...Nope! I wasn't a kink so it was cool

 

[lizardarm]

Im trying to find that ribbed hose but no one in town carries it

I don't know if you've already looked, but hardware stores/home centers are more apt to carry it than pet stores. Don't know about Spokane, but the lowes in Bremerton carries it.

 

[rocket]

I found a place in town that carries that ribbed flex tube made to length, so im gonna try that with the new CS100. Thanks for the input so far. Ill let you know how it goes.

 

[burning2nd]

the cs, is the way to go...

the little lid is the saver on the sound....

and as far as return... just make it under the water. (in sump)


I hear my fan more then anything

 

[rocket]

Do they come with a lid? If not were do i get one?

 

[burning2nd]

the cs comes wth a lid

 

[rocket]

Well, I went ahead and bought a CS100 and got it installed tonight. Out of the box it is a lot quieter than my old overflow. Im stil tweaking things but its much better.

 

[burning2nd]

cant go wrong there,

i removed the hole sponge thing on the aqua lifter. the hole round containor

I would also recommending buying a 2nd replacement aqualifter for back up....

even tho i havent done it my self, ive bin beating my heat agenst the wall, every time i return from the LFs with out it