Ultra-noob question about noise in a new aquarium

[mk1151]

Good morning (or afternoon) all - this is my first post here, so I'll try and provide as much information as I can to describe my question and the setup.

I'm in the process of conditioning a brand new FOWLR (I read your glossary) tank. I do plan perhaps in 5-6 months to turn it into a reef tank but not yet. It's my first salt tank so I want to start with the basics and grow. I'm in no hurry.

The tank is a 230 gallon sump system with an 1100 GPH pump and three 1400gph power heads. I have glass tops and a canopy. I already insulated the pedestal with musician-quality sound dampening foam and you really can't hear anything from the pump. My question is there is a constant gurgling noise coming from the top of the tank where the sump pickups are. It's pretty constant. There are no jets or power heads that are causing surface ripples so it's not them that's causing it, so I assume what I'm hearing is the sump feeds "slurping" the water down the filter system and pump.

It's not a super big deal because it's not an annoying sound, I just don't know if it's an indication that the pump, the system, or something else (like the water level) isn't quite right.

As of right now, I have 200 pounds of sand in there. 250 pounds of live rock are arriving this week (the first batch of live rock was HEAVILY infested with bristle worms so it didn't go in the tank). So I also don't know if once the rock is in there that will also solve the water gurgling issue.

I've checked out the whole system - there are no leaks anywhere so it's not that.

I can put the same sound dampening material on the top, but I just wondered if the gurgling is a symptom of a setup or flow issue (I'm also new to sump systems).

Thanks all! This is a great forum, I've already been reading many of the threads.

[reeferbill]

MK1151 ; Goodmorning , the sound u here is the gurgling inside the hose from the water and air mixing as it comes down to the sump. THIS IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT! You can make it stop by slowing the flow by adding air line tubing to the hose or hoses that bring water from your display to the sump. I am not sure if they also need to siphon water as well but it woud not hurt. Start with one and keep adding another until the gurgling stops. Good Luck! ReeferBill

[reeferbill]

Hi MK1151 ; Where do you live in Florida? I am in Greenacres and collect Natural Sea Water for my water changes at Boyton Beach inlet at high tide. Happy Reefing!!!!

[mk1151]

MK1151 ; Goodmorning , the sound u here is the gurgling inside the hose from the water and air mixing as it comes down to the sump. THIS IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT! You can make it stop by slowing the flow by adding air line tubing to the hose or hoses that bring water from your display to the sump. I am not sure if they also need to siphon water as well but it woud not hurt. Start with one and keep adding another until the gurgling stops. Good Luck! ReeferBill

This is very informative - thank you! So the u-bend PVC that siphons the water to the sump - you've saying I need to feed air line tubing into that line to change the diameter so it doesn't gulp as much water?

I'm sorry for the additional question - I really am new to this so I want to make sure I understand correctly. Thank you again!!

[mk1151]

Hi MK1151 ; Where do you live in Florida? I am in Greenacres and collect Natural Sea Water for my water changes at Boyton Beach inlet at high tide. Happy Reefing!!!!

I'm down near Delray - I've heard with the proper permits you can also catch Queen Angels for the tank at that inlet - would love to get more information about how/where/when you get the water - and perhaps meet a fellow aquarium enthusiast/hobbyist some time!

[Original Fin]

You don't want to mess with the u-tube. In fact, this is a single point of failure for a flood...you want to be sure it's kept clean and clear, and that bubbles aren't allowed to accumulate at the top of the bend. This can cause a siphon break.

The type of overflow you have is called a hang on back (HOB) siphon. Any chance you could post a pic? There are some plumbing add ons/tricks to quiet them down, but I'm not sure how much space you have to work with. Your best bet is to add a standpipe silencer. For now, you can google the following homemade designs methods named for their creators...Stockman Standpipe, Durso Standpipe, and the Hoffer Gurglebuster.

[mk1151]

You don't want to mess with the u-tube. In fact, this is a single point of failure for a flood...you want to be sure it's kept clean and clear, and that bubbles aren't allowed to accumulate at the top of the bend. This can cause a siphon break.

The type of overflow you have is called a hang on back (HOB) siphon. Any chance you could post a pic? There are some plumbing add ons/tricks to quiet them down, but I'm not sure how much space you have to work with. Your best bet is to add a standpipe silencer. For now, you can google the following homemade designs methods named for their creators...Stockman Standpipe, Durso Standpipe, and the Hoffer Gurglebuster.

Thank you!

I don't have a pic of my tank, but each of the back corners has a black partition with vents at the top for the water to drain over. I found these pics on another site - they are the pipes that run from behind that partition through the bottom of the tank and into the pedestal where the siphon tank is - that's also where the floss filter, bio-balls, and pump are.

Does that give you a better idea? I looked up HOB siphon and it doesn't look exactly like this so not sure the standpipe silencer will still work for me, but if it will, I'll look into it for sure!

[Original Fin]

What you have then is called a "reef ready" or RR tank, which basically just means it has built in overflows. Much better than a HOB!

You can still use a Stockman or Durso standpipe to quiet the draining action.

BTW, the bioballs are fine for a FOWLR, but not for a reef. The reason being that they collect detritus and quickly become nitrate factories.
The only biofiltration you want with a reef is the live rock (and a skimmer). If you intend to convert to a reef down the road, it would be far easier to ditch the bioballs now. You can keep that part of the sump empty for the time being. Onces the tank has cycled and settled in for a while, you could add a grow light and culture macro algae (such as Chaetopmorpha) in it. Macro algae culturing is a natural export method for nitrates and phosphates. As it grows, you prune it, which removes the N&P from your tank. Great for reefs.

[mk1151]

What you have then is called a "reef ready" or RR tank, which basically just means it has built in overflows. Much better than a HOB!

You can still use a Stockman or Durso standpipe to quiet the draining action.

BTW, the bioballs are fine for a FOWLR, but not for a reef. The reason being that they collect detritus and quickly become nitrate factories.
The only biofiltration you want with a reef is the live rock (and a skimmer). If you intend to convert to a reef down the road, it would be far easier to ditch the bioballs now. You can keep that part of the sump empty for the time being. Onces the tank has cycled and settled in for a while, you could add a grow light and culture macro algae (such as Chaetopmorpha) in it. Macro algae culturing is a natural export method for nitrates and phosphates. As it grows, you prune it, which removes the N&P from your tank. Great for reefs.

Thank you for the advice on the bioballs. I have some deciding to do with that it seems. The reef tanks I've seen setup down here all have bioballs, but they also have all sorts of N&P filters and stuff on them - I bet that's why.

As for the standpipe - It looks like the stock one with a larger air intake in it (full diameter of the pipe)... I wonder if I can't drill out the one I've got and cement a short extension on it - it seems like that would do the same thing.

Many thanks again - this is a GREAT forum!

It looks like the standpipe I have

[reeferbill]

Hi mk1151 ; I was talking about inside the bottm of the overflow ( outside box) and the hose that drains water from the overflow box to the sump. Cell #(561)-201-9303 When you want to meet at Boyton inlet for NSW. Good Luck !!!!!!!!!!

[Jessie Nicoletti]

Ive seen some set ups that have a cup type device muffling the sound im not sure if this is doable with your system but im sure there is someone on this form that will know what im talkin about HEY REEFER I WOULDNT POST YOUR # ON A FOURM THAT CAN BE READ BY ANYONE INCLUDING NON MEMBERS

[mk1151]

I am quite happy to say that my tank has been quieted to the level of a 20-gallon old-school filter system.

I was able to build a makeshift durso standpipe and install it without draining the tank or turning off the pump. I have a slightly different air cap, and I used some filter floss as a silencer over the snorkel.

All in all it was an inexpensive, simple fix for a very annoying gurgle.

Thanks to all who read and helped!

[Original Fin]

You bet. Great news!