Best Option for Overflow

[HardyG]

I know this is a very opinionated topic, but I have never needed a "Silent" overflow before.. I am setting up my office tank, and due to calls throughout the day I need this thing to be as close to silent as possible.

Now for some brief info about the setup..

The tank is 90 gallons, with a corner overflow with 2 holes pre-drilled that go straight into a filter roller in the sump. The standard durso standpipe plumbing came with it (1 1/2" reduced to 1" and 3/4 return with loc line on the end). I have not added water yet, so I figured this was the perfect time to figure out the best solution. I know a lot of people swear that the durso can be silent, but that seems to be one in a million in my experience.

What are my options here with 2 holes for a practically silent overflow?

Thanks! Can provide pics if needed!

 

[blaxsun]

Sound baffling for the sump...?

 

[HardyG]

Sound baffling for the sump...?

Maybe I am misunderstanding, but my issue stems from the noise that the overflow creates (mostly the gurgling and sucking sounds from the standpipes). I guess my issue is with top side of the tank more than the sump.

 

[blaxsun]

Maybe I am misunderstanding, but my issue stems from the noise that the overflow creates (mostly the gurgling and sucking sounds from the standpipes). I guess my issue is with top side of the tank more than the sump.

I have a lid on my overflow which helps a lot. But I also dialed the water level in such that it only flows primarily down the main pipe (the second being the emergency). Red Sea tanks also have a kind of 'silencer' that they use, and that may be something you can recreate with PVC for your tank.

 

[ThaBeast]

Can you drill the back panel? If so I’d have the back drilled for a return line and run a herbie style overflow with the 2 holes in the overflow. You could always run the return over the top too

 

[HardyG]

Can you drill the back panel? If so I’d have the back drilled for a return line and run a herbie style overflow with the 2 holes in the overflow. You could always run the return over the top too

Thanks for the response. The herbie method actually seems dead quiet when dialed in.. This seems like it checks the boxes. I don't think I can drill the back of the tank, so I would have to run the return over the top.

 

[RocketEngineer]

Yup, with two holes, a Herbie is ideal. Use the smaller hole for the siphon so if it clogs, the larger drain can handle the flow.

 

[HardyG]

Yup, with two holes, a Herbie is ideal. Use the smaller hole for the siphon so if it clogs, the larger drain can handle the flow.

So turn the 1" into the main drain with a strainer on it, and then buy a 3/4" PVC pipe to cut accordingly and make that the emergency? Also looks like the first part of the plumbing from the bulkhead needs to be a gate valve. Can I go soft tubing from there, or not a good idea?

 

[RocketEngineer]

So turn the 1" into the main drain with a strainer on it, and then buy a 3/4" PVC pipe to cut accordingly and make that the emergency? Also looks like the first part of the plumbing from the bulkhead needs to be a gate valve. Can I go soft tubing from there, or not a good idea?

You have that backwards. Use the 3/4” as the main and the 1” as the emergency. For drains, I recommend you avoid soft tubing due to the barb fittings creating a restriction.

 

[Tim'sReef]

Not saying a silent tank would be nice. But when it comes to making calls or doing meetings in my office (very small room with 2 reefs) I went the other direction and just use a mic with very nice background noise reduction. Haven't had a complaint.

 

[HardyG]

Whoops! Okay, so I would make a 3/4 piece of PVC at a low height with a strainer hard plumbed into my filter roller with a gate valve just after the bulkhead, then have an emergency drain (1”) that just goes straight into the sump. I like the flexibility of using the flexible plumbing for the return in case I add a UV sterilizer or something down the road, so I may just run with that idea and bring it over the back of the tank. Not thrilled with that idea, but definitely would rather do that than drill the tank.

 

[HardyG]

I made 2 mark ups of what I was thinking. One is with a soft plumbed return, the other with a manifold. Anything I am missing?

 

[RocketEngineer]

Yeah, put the gate valve as low as possible. It will have less chance of air in the lower section causing issues/noise.

 

[HardyG]

Yeah, put the gate valve as low as possible. It will have less chance of air in the lower section causing issues/noise.

Never would have thought of that!! Thanks for posting it. Next question... Any preference on manifold or no manifold?

 

[RocketEngineer]

Never would have thought of that!! Thanks for posting it. Next question... Any preference on manifold or no manifold?

Mine? No manifold. I had one in a previous setup and rarely used it. But I’m a low effort reef person. Less is better for me.

 

[CoralB]

IMO herbie style system will be the quietest . And I’ve tried a few three the years .

 

[HardyG]

You have that backwards. Use the 3/4” as the main and the 1” as the emergency. For drains, I recommend you avoid soft tubing due to the barb fittings creating a restriction.

Question. Why do the bigger pipe as emergency? Just wondering

 

[X-37B]

I run the standard 2 hole on my 80 and same on old 120 and my 45.
No noise if setup right.
I would never, I know its popular, put any valve on the drain.
I use a ball valve to resduce the flow going into the tank.
On my 120 it went into a filter roller for a few months before I took it off.

Also slowing your rerurn down will help quiet the system.

Aio tanks make no noise. I have 2.

 

[HardyG]

I run the standard 2 hole on my 80 and same on old 120 and my 45.
No noise if setup right.
I would never, I know its popular, put any valve on the drain.
I use a ball valve to resduce the flow going into the tank.
On my 120 it went into a filter roller for a few months before I took it off.

Also slowing your rerurn down will help quiet the system.

Aio tanks make no noise. I have 2.

Thanks for sharing! I have heard people have success with the durso standpipe method, but it just hasn’t been a good history for me with dead silent overflow and drainage. Plus I don’t mind the idea of an emergency drain so much. I just am not crazy about the return going over the back of the tank.. but oh well!

 

[RocketEngineer]

Question. Why do the bigger pipe as emergency? Just wondering

Because all things being equal, a 1” drain can carry all the flow a 3/4” drain could. However, the 3/4” drain can NOT carry what a 1” drain can. Therefore, the larger pipe being the backup ensures you don’t have a flood.