[Shells]

Hey guys!! Let me start out by saying I just love this site.
I've got a 150gal reef aquarium thats "in progress". It has two overflows and
I've installed a stand pipe in each one. These made a huge difference in sound, (It
did sound like Niagra Falls before the pipes!!! ) But it is still a little noisey.
I have a hole drilled in the top of each stand pipe, that is about 3/16" in diamiter.
Can I go bigger without jepordising the stand pipe function or I also thought
about drilling a second hole on each side about 1/16 to 1/8"? The water level in
the stand pipe is dropping about 2 1/2".
thanks!!

[dougc]

Drilling a larger hole will probably not affect the noise level of your overflows. If the hole is too small, you will see the water level inside the overflow rise and fall rhythmically as the siphon starts and breaks. If the water level is steady, then the standpipe is probably working fine. If can raise the water level inside the overflow, that will reduce the waterfall noise. This would require a taller standpipe.

[Reefland]

Hi Shells, Welcome to Reefland!

The question I have is what noise are you hearing? Are you still hearing a gurgling noise from the standpipe or is it a waterfall noise from the distance the water is falling?

[Shells]

Originally Posted by dougc

Drilling a larger hole will probably not affect the noise level of your overflows. If the hole is too small, you will see the water level inside the overflow rise and fall rhythmically as the siphon starts and breaks. If the water level is steady, then the standpipe is probably working fine. If can raise the water level inside the overflow, that will reduce the waterfall noise. This would require a taller standpipe.

HI Dougc!! The water level is rising and falling about 2 1/2", the stand pipes
are not syncrinized. While one is falling the other rising. I will try and drill
a bigger hole and see what happens. I'm not sure if i can raise the pipes
any more. The water at its highest mark is about 1" from the underside of
the rim of the tank.

Thanks a bunch!!

[Shells]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Hi Shells, Welcome to Reefland!

The question I have is what noise are you hearing? Are you still hearing a gurgling noise from the standpipe or is it a waterfall noise from the distance the water is falling?

HI, thanks!
The main noise i'm hearing is the water from the overflows entering
the T, which drains into the sump. here is a noise at the overflow itself,
but it is not as bad as below. The pipes are not syncrinized, while
one is draining the other filling. The level was constant at one time, but
is has evolved to its current condition. Dougc mentioned to raise the
standpipes, but i dont think i have anymore room to do that. The top of
the standpipe is level with the lower rim of the tank and the water level
at its highest is about 1" from that.
I have thought about increasing the size of the hole ....????
Thanks!

[dougc]

If the water level inside the overflow is rising and falling, you should drill the hole out slightly larger. Just go up one drill size at a time. If you have the water level right, the elbow on the standpipe will be about completely submerged and the water level will be rock steady.

[Shells]

Originally Posted by dougc

If the water level inside the overflow is rising and falling, you should drill the hole out slightly larger. Just go up one drill size at a time. If you have the water level right, the elbow on the standpipe will be about completely submerged and the water level will be rock steady.

I will Dougc, thanks!!