Silencer for Overflow

[Spkmall]

Greetings!

Has anyone made a silencer for their overflow? As much as we like running water, the noise sounds more like the last few seconds of a toilet flushing.

[Spkmall]

Picture of Overflow

[Spkmall]

Started cycling on July 26th. Lights still need to be put into place. Loteki, my beloved, already posted a request to get them situated

[Geoff]

is it the sound of the overflows draining or is it the sound of the water flowing into the overflows. if it is the overflows draining you have a couple of options. either a dursa standpipe or a stockman stovepipe. you can do a search for these in the various forums. if i have time later today i will do it for you. just rushed right now.

Welcome to TRT!!!



G~

[Spkmall]

It's the sound of the water going into the overflow. My lovely bride and I were toying with using bio-balls to fill it. That would take care of the noise problem. I do, however, like the idea of perhaps turning it into a refugium, if that is at all possible. With the dursa standpipes, that seems like a very real possibility.

Thanks for the welcomes. I'm sure we're going to be very happy here.

[Buehlz]

http://www.rl180reef.com/frames.htm that link should be all you need to read to fix your noise problem

[Flatfish]

Hey Spkmall, welcome to TRT!

The noise you get is the sound of the water falling likely near the bottom of the overflow. Which is likely near the bottom of the tank. Right?

Since you're not getting the slurping noise your flow rate is likely way under the capacity of the drain. So you don't need a durso. In fact you might find that the durso adds noise in your situation.

So bring the water level up closer to the notches in the overflow by putting an extention on the drain inside the overflow. The water will not gain as much velocity and land more softly on the higher water level.

Get it?

Good luck,

Joe

[Spkmall]

Thanks for the greeting and response.

The sound we get, after listening to it for a few minutes, was more like a combination of both water falling and water being sucked through the drain.

If I understand you correctly, you're suggesting to extend the drain. All I'd have to do is plug/thread it in to the bottom of the bulkhead and let the water reach a higher spot in the overflow. Similar to what the durso does, but not as fancy - a one pipe fix without having to drill any airholes.

Did I get it?

[thefatman]

yep, you need a standpipe. sounds like your drain hole is all the way at the bottom of the overflow. you just need to attach a piece of pvc and bring it up near the top of the opening. which would basically cause the overflow area to be flled with water. then you wont hear the splashing.

after that's done, you may find that you then may get the slurping sound, which, to me, sounds like a never ending bathrub draining, or a never ending toilet flushing. that's where the durso or stockman end come into play.

both are quiet easy to make, takes less than 1/2 hour, and eiter way will cost less than 5 bucks, with only a few pieces of pvc needed. both work equally well.

god luck, and welcome to trt!!!

[Flatfish]

You got it and Jay's right. I have a tank like yours. I put a 1" bulkhead in the overflow for a drain. I automatically made a durso stand pipe for it. The durso worked we'll, but wasn't completely quiet. A lot better than the noisey hang-on overflow I was used to. One day I was showing a neighbor the construction of the durso and yanked top hooked section off leaving just the stand pipe in the tank. A of the sudden the flow got even quieter. Just chance I guess. Now all I have is a straight pipe that raises the water level to within about 3-4" inches of the cuts. Very, very quiet.

I'd make a durso and try it both ways. Like Jay said the contruction is easy and cheap.

One more thing: Don't bring the water too close to the top. Doing that you will make the surface to the water too calm and will likely create a dead spot where goo will collect in the overflow. A turbulent surface is a good thing. Doing this will also allow a bit of detrius to collect in the bottom of the overflow over time. So its a good practice to make it removable to allow that stuff to flush every once in a while.

Joe

[Geoff]

Originally posted by Flatfish

Doing this will also allow a bit of detrius to collect in the bottom of the overflow over time. So its a good practice to make it removable to allow that stuff to flush every once in a while.

Joe

or better still just siphon it out whenever you do a water change. if it needs to be done that often.

G~

[BLUEMANDJ]

Stand pipe its the answer. Her is the link that i used to make my own.

http://www.angelfire.com/alt/reef/di...ts.html#Canopy

Worked like a champ for me.

[thefatman]

hehe glad to see that worked for you bluemandj.....

that's my site

i put a lot of work into making that site informative. makes me feel good to see someone who has gained something of value from it .. thanks!!

[BLUEMANDJ]

I hooked up a 3rd overflow tonight an I cant wait to get over to Home Depot tomorrow to make a new one. IT ROCKS!!!