Need help with Overflow Gurgling

LIreefguy106 · Apr 14, 2016

Hi all,

I'm just setting it up and did the leak test. During the test I noticed that the standpipe will not stop gurgling and the sump is heavily bubbling too. I can't seem to figure out why. I have a durso standpipe on a standard 90g reef ready tank. The setup is in a corner overflow and is the following:

-A 1.25" durso standpipe in one bulkhead (I have the hole drilled on the rope with a air valve)
-A 1.25" emergency standpipe in the other bulkhead
-The return is a dual over the back style.

The water level keeps fluctuating. I have a DC pump on the lowest setting and I also have a ball valve on the return and a ball valve on the drain. Any suggestions? I'll post a pic later when I get home.

cjd · Apr 14, 2016

without seeing the set up , I would say it needs more air. remove the air valve and see what happens . If the water level still fluctuates in the overflow area then remove the air line tubing . if it still fluctuates then you need a bigger hole in the top of the durso.

LIreefguy106 · Apr 26, 2016

Thanks. Figured out that the emergency and main drain lines shouldn't be connected. The echoing noise was the gurgling that I was hearing due to the air and water mixing at the "T" connection. Here's my setup that I had and I will be dedicating the emergency to its own separate line into the sump. Soon as I closed the gate valve on the emergency line, it was dead silent. Hope this helps someone else too.

In reference to the pic:

The main is on the left.
The emergency is on the right.
The "T" connection right below the emergency line was the issue.

(I know I shouldn't have gate valves on the drain lines as it could lead to flooding but they were necessary as it is the only way I could remove my filter sock since the drain pipe fits deep inside the sock)