IM 75 EXT is super loud

[hllb]

I’ve got the 75 EXT running now, using the included Mighty Jet XL. It so loud. Way louder than expected. I’ve been messing with the flow rate and the gate valve but really no improvement. The lowest setting for the MJ is 40% which is still a really high flow rate.

Any tips to quiet this thing down? My current tank has a u bend on the secondary return.

Here’s a video.

 

[KrisReef]

Can you slip a 90 fitting over the active drain? That will raise the water level but it may also quiet it down a bit. No glue, just slip fit.

 

[edsbeaker]

I have their tanks so pretty familiar with getting it to run quietly.

It is gurgling because the water level near the primary drain (shortest one) is too low. Turn the gate valve clockwise, maybe 1/8 of a turn at a time until the water level is near the top or just barely overflowing into the secondary drain, (the middle pipe) After each turn, give it 3-5 minutes for the water level to adjust, and keep repeating until it is where it should be. It should be near silent.


When I had my 75, I was running the Maxi Jet return pump with 5 out of the 7 of the blue lights on the controller box.

It’s important to make small adjustments to the gate valve so you don’t go to the other extreme with the water level so high it now starts spilling into the emergency drain. That adds even more noise when water starts flowing down it into the return section.

 

[hllb]

I have their tanks so pretty familiar with getting it to run quietly.

It is gurgling because the water level near the primary drain (shortest one) is too low. Turn the gate valve clockwise, maybe 1/8 of a turn at a time until the water level is near the top or just barely overflowing into the secondary drain, (the middle pipe) After each turn, give it 3-5 minutes for the water level to adjust, and keep repeating until it is where it should be. It should be near silent.


When I had my 75, I was running the Maxi Jet return pump with 5 out of the 7 of the blue lights on the controller box.

It’s important to make small adjustments to the gate valve so you don’t go to the other extreme with the water level so high it now starts spilling into the emergency drain. That adds even more noise when water starts flowing down it into the return section.

Perhaps I am not being patient enough. I think I’ve had it the way you described and it was still noisy but I’ll try again. The valves on the returns are just there in case you only want one return instead of 2?

 

[hllb]

I have their tanks so pretty familiar with getting it to run quietly.

It is gurgling because the water level near the primary drain (shortest one) is too low. Turn the gate valve clockwise, maybe 1/8 of a turn at a time until the water level is near the top or just barely overflowing into the secondary drain, (the middle pipe) After each turn, give it 3-5 minutes for the water level to adjust, and keep repeating until it is where it should be. It should be near silent.


When I had my 75, I was running the Maxi Jet return pump with 5 out of the 7 of the blue lights on the controller box.

It’s important to make small adjustments to the gate valve so you don’t go to the other extreme with the water level so high it now starts spilling into the emergency drain. That adds even more noise when water starts flowing down it into the return section.

A lot of the noise seems to be coming from the sump where the primary drain empties

 

[edsbeaker]

A lot of the noise seems to be coming from the sump where the primary drain empties

When you installed the drain plate bulkhead, the smaller one with the four screws, did you attach the two long pipes into the bulkheads?

Also are the two black silencer plates in place over the filter sock openings?

 

[edsbeaker]

Perhaps I am not being patient enough. I think I’ve had it the way you described and it was still noisy but I’ll try again. The valves on the returns are just there in case you only want one return instead of 2?

Are you talking about the second opening next to where the hose for the return pump connects?

If so, that is your emergency drain. The tallest pipe in the overflow will empty into that pipe if the primary or secondary pipe got blocked by something. You never want to block that one.

EDIT: or are you talking about the two red ball valves, there’s one on the drain pipe, and another on the return pump behind the tank. Those are there for maintenance if you need to disconnect the plumbing.

 

[hllb]

When you installed the drain plate bulkhead, the smaller one with the four screws, did you attach the two long pipes into the bulkheads?

Also are the two black silencer plates in place over the filter sock openings?

Oh dang, no, I did not install those long pipes - I didn’t know what they were for! How do I fix that now?

 

[edsbeaker]

I think we may have discovered the problem. :downcast-face-with-sweat:
Do you have livestock in the tank yet? Do you have access to the back of the tank?

 

[hllb]

I think we may have discovered the problem. :downcast-face-with-sweat:
Do you have livestock in the tank yet? Do you have access to the back of the tank?

I have installed them now. Was able to use the disconnects get the plate out, install them and get it back together. Now I need to mess with the level in the overflow again and see if I can get it quieted down. The sump is still noisy, but better. I do have the plates installed.

No livestock yet, but they’re coming over tomorrow.

 

[edsbeaker]

I’m so glad you had access to it, and could add them without emptying and moving the tank.
Play with the gate valve, and see if you can get it quieted. Those pipes should help, though. Please let me know if that was the problem. I’m eager to know if you’ve got it running silently.

 

[hllb]

I’m so glad you had access to it, and could add them without emptying and moving the tank.
Play with the gate valve, and see if you can get it quieted. Those pipes should help, though. Please let me know if that was the problem. I’m eager to know if you’ve got it running silently.

It was definitely the main problem. It’s pretty quiet now - not completely silent, but much better. I think if I keep playing with it, I’ll be good.

 

[hllb]

I’m so glad you had access to it, and could add them without emptying and moving the tank.
Play with the gate valve, and see if you can get it quieted. Those pipes should help, though. Please let me know if that was the problem. I’m eager to know if you’ve got it running silently.

Really appreciate the help. I meant to post about those pipes and never got around to it.

 

[hllb]

Omg. Now I have a bad leak. In one of the glued joints I think. ***.

 

[edsbeaker]

Oh no!!! Did you figure out where it’s coming from?

 

[hllb]

Oh, it’s a bulkheads. Must’ve loosened when I messed with the return

 

[hllb]

I swear, the drama…. Since it’s a bulkhead, should be an easy fix, just have to wait and make sure it stays fixed lol.

I did get some nice use out of my water catcher.

 

[hllb]

My husband is unhappy with this development since we aren’t living in the house yet. I may wait until Friday to move the livestock, just to make sure everything is good.

 

[edsbeaker]

OMG, my heart stopped when you told me that there was a leak! I feel like we’ve been through a crisis together!!! Hope you can get it really dialed in and quiet now.

I just upgraded from my IM 75 to an IM EXT 170. I really love their tanks!

 

[hllb]

OMG, my heart stopped when you told me that there was a leak! I feel like we’ve been through a crisis together!!! Hope you can get it really dialed in and quiet now.

I just upgraded from my IM 75 to an IM EXT 170. I really love their tanks!

My heart stopped too! Especially when I thought it was a glued joint - the drip was hitting that joint from above.

I am very impressed with their tanks. I’ve had a 10g for a few years and upgraded that one to a 15. I got that one moved successfully today. The only issues was my boxing shrimp lost his claws. He seems fine otherwise though.