*@#^! Overflow- sucking after Stockman mod

[Sparky]

*@#^! Overflow- sucking after Stockman mod
Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Im getting frustrated now. I have a Lifreef Hangon Overflow Box. I thought I was getting this super duper overflow (payed like $90 bucks).

It just sounds horrible. Air sucking noise that would wake the dead!

I built a Ken Stockman mod for the intake tube. Like the Durso mod only for smaller overflows. It quieted it SLIGHTLY. I started out with a small needle valve in the top. Opened it all the way. Still loud. Made progressively bigger holes till now Im up to 1/4".

The directions that came with the overflow suggest using a 1" gate valve to cut the flow down, to silence it. Its all I can think of to quiet this thing down. The water does seem to be flying down that tube. What do you guys think?

I fixed the problem I had down in the sump. Put kinda a reverse stockman mod on the end of the pipe in the sump. Now the bubbles go up into the small baffled area I built and dont get SHOT down under the baffles.

Someone PLEASE help me with this overflow. Im really gonna like my new setup if I can quiet this thing down!

[ReefJunkie]

Sparky, The gate valve would defiantly quiet your overflow. The concern that I would have with the gate valve is something getting sucked through the overflow(shrimp, snail, etc) and getting stuck in the valve causing a overflow. I would suggest installing a plastic screen (1/4"-3/8" mesh)in your overflow box to prevent this. Adjust the gate valve slowly and make sure it is letting more than enough water by. Watch the water level in your overflow to make sure it's not backing up.
HTH

[ 07-20-2001: Message edited by: ReefJunkie ]

[DennisW]

Sparky,

Have you tried the airline trick? cut a long piece of airline tubing and feed it thru the stockman pipe, down to the bottom. If you monkey around with it enough, your overflow will be very quiet. Then, just tape or somehow affix the airline tubing to something.

HTH
Dennis

[Sparky]

I just spent about two hours reworking the plumbing.

I had a ball valve laying around. I put it inline and that helped a lot. It sure is a pain to adjust. I have to get a gate valve for this as the ball is just too hard to adjust. Darn Lowe's doesnt carry them. Have to order one. Maybe a local plumbing shop would have one. Will have to check that out.

I did end up with a 1/4" hole in the top of my Stockman. I fed some airline tubing down that hole and it also helped a bunch.

I have it sorta tolerable. I could probably live with it like this but I think it can be better.

Will try to find a gate valve tomorrow.

[jegel]

The most efective (and simple) way I have found to quiet a noisey overflow is to put a lid on it. I cut out a lid tha sits on the top of my overflow and as a slot cut out for the pipe that goes from the overflow box in the tank over into the overflow box. Its not sealed up in anyway which could eliminate the noise even more. If you ask me they should make the overflows with lids on them... probably a good maney making idea

The lid was cut from a peice of thick particle board, the kind of wood that looks like compressed hamster tirds. Its very dense and blocks sound well... Its the kind of stuff they make bass box's out of... the board I have is 3/4 inch.