Loud Overflow

[Chris’s fish]

Ok I’ll go with flex pvc. Is this the stuff I want?
https://www.amazon.com/TekTube-Sche...vc&qid=1564327076&s=gateway&sr=8-6&th=1&psc=1

 

[Flippers4pups]

Ok I’ll go with flex pvc. Is this the stuff I want?
https://www.amazon.com/TekTube-Sche...vc&qid=1564327076&s=gateway&sr=8-6&th=1&psc=1

Yes. Using slip fittings to go from hard to flex. It's a little stiff to work with, but you can warm it a little to work with it. Make sure you use the correct diameter size tubing.

 

[Chris’s fish]

Yes. Using slip fittings to go from hard to flex. It's a little stiff to work with, but you can warm it a little to work with it. Make sure you use the correct diameter size tubing.

Can I just use a coupling? They are much cheaper than slip fittings

 

[W1ngz]

Can I just use a coupling? They are much cheaper than slip fittings

Slip refers to the inside of whatever fitting you are attaching to the pipe. Typically this is either slip (uses PVC primer and cement) or threaded.

I would use a true union instead of a simple coupling. You want to be able to disassemble in case you ever move or get something like a snail stuck in there. I've seen someone have to cut apart their entire overflow due to a chunk of algae that got sucked down and snagged on some vermetid snails.

In the overall cost of setting up a reef tank, the difference between a few 6$ unions vs .60 cent couplings shouldn't be a concern.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Can I just use a coupling? They are much cheaper than slip fittings

Yes, coupling, slip to slip. A true union would be better as @W1ngz has stated.

 

[Chris’s fish]

Slip refers to the inside of whatever fitting you are attaching to the pipe. Typically this is either slip (uses PVC primer and cement) or threaded.

I would use a true union instead of a simple coupling. You want to be able to disassemble in case you ever move or get something like a snail stuck in there. I've seen someone have to cut apart their entire overflow due to a chunk of algae that got sucked down and snagged on some vermetid snails.

In the overall cost of setting up a reef tank, the difference between a few 6$ unions vs .60 cent couplings shouldn't be a concern.

Ok thanks. Yeah nothing about reefing is cheap so I may as well do it right now so I don’t regret it later

 

[Chris’s fish]

Well I’m back with some not so good news. I redid the plumbing with spa pvc and tons of air is still getting trapped and making it super loud. Maybe even louder now. I have no idea what to do now.

 

[A. Ocellaris]

I second the bubble-box idea.

Question - what type of drainage system are you using here? Is it Durso, Herbie, or Beananimal? I had a Durso setup, but converted it to Herbie because Durso couldn't handle the amount of flow and was noisy. How much GPH do you have going through the overflows (what is the rate of the return)?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ok, I think I’ll go with flexible tubing. Probably going to be some pond tubing because that’s the only stuff I have locally. Should I bother with ball values then?

I for first time used spa flex on my newest tank and was flexible, easy to work with and eliminates some degree elbows and bends.

 

[Chris’s fish]

I second the bubble-box idea.

Question - what type of drainage system are you using here? Is it Durso, Herbie, or Beananimal? I had a Durso setup, but converted it to Herbie because Durso couldn't handle the amount of flow and was noisy. How much GPH do you have going through the overflows (what is the rate of the return)?

I’m using the Aqueon mega overflow kits for my drainage. For a return I’m running a Jebao DCP-13000 on it’s lowest possible setting. So I don’t think I’m running too much through the overflows

 

[A. Ocellaris]

I’m using the Aqueon mega overflow kits for my drainage. For a return I’m running a Jebao DCP-13000 on it’s lowest possible setting. So I don’t think I’m running too much through the overflows

Is it the stock setup (i.e. double-Durso)? From what I understand, that is much nosier than a Herbie or Beananimal. If there are 4 holes drilled (seems that there are?) - then you can do a beananimal pretty easily and still have a return. Might be worth considering. There are some pretty good references for these types of plumbing (which from your pics, looks like you could handle easily).

I like this page - https://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/

If you are way beyond this, apologies for misunderstanding...

 

[W1ngz]

The aqueon megaflow is a durso. On the larger tank sizes, it's a double durso/return. To quiet the rest of it you'll need some help with people that are good at quieting them down.

What I would do next, since you have two overflows, is choose one of the two overflows to be the primary, and lower the standpipe height in one of the overflows to 3-4 inches below the waterline to allow it to pull a full siphon which by nature runs silent. The other overflow should be just at the water line, and take only the smallest trickle. You can adjust the flow on the pump to try your best to match the flow up with the flow down, but the best way would be to have a gate valve on the siphon line for fine tuning.

This turns the whole system into a 'herbie' overflow.

When the time comes to upgrade your tank, go drilled with an external overflow box instead of "reef ready" tank. The only thing they are ready for is noise and headaches.

 

[A. Ocellaris]

Some other threads that might help? I still think that a modified setup might work.

I had a single corner overflow Aqueon (two drilled holes in the tank) that I turned into a Herbie (one e-drain, one full siphon) and plumbed the return over the back. It is quiet because the full siphon keeps air out.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dual-overflow-help.346810/https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/plumbing-dual-overflows-with-herbie.348271/https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/plumbing-a-120g-dual-overflow.266535/

 

[Chris’s fish]

Thank you everyone for your help, but I finally got it silenced!! I decided to scrap the mega overflow kit and make a herbie overflow, which so far is now silent

 

[A. Ocellaris]

Thank you everyone for your help, but I finally got it silenced!! I decided to scrap the mega overflow kit and make a herbie overflow, which so far is now silent

I love the Herbie - with your setup you can go one regular and one e-drain with two return or one regular, two e-drains. Wouldn't recommend other configurations.

Well done!

 

[John08007]

Too many reply so to see if anyone mentioned this. I'd trash what you have and install a bean animal. I've used it for years, super silent. The only change you would need to make.is to.have your returns go around the back of the tank.