question about red sea reefer 170 G1 overflows

[saltyfins]

I bought a used red sea reefer 170, and have had to replace a lot of the pipe. No problem. problem....is that this thing is NOISEY as it gets. if your standing at the front of the tank, it appears to be with the clear tube. I have tried to adjust the black gate valve thing, nothing changes. it's just loud. Can anyone suggest what I could do to quiet this down? I have adjusted the return pump, and it's better, but not really, and I want that flow anyway.

Thank You so much, in advance. I really appreciate it

 

[Quietman]

Mine runs quietest when I have a trickle flow in the secondary drain. It also allows to go longer without adjusting return flow as required due to build up of organics in the pipe and other minor impacts.

I did have an issue with the diaphragm valve (I assume you still have that), but it was fairly easy to take it apart in place and clean the inside (removed snail). Made a heck of racket. Not a big fan of that valve design but it does work. I have to turn it 1/16 or less of a turn and wait 5-10 min then repeat until level gets where it's quiet. It can very frustrating but with patience (not something that comes naturally to me) it can be dialed in pretty quick.

I used to have ac return pump and switched to dc - that quieted down the hum.

Early on was a bit frustrating getting the flow right for quietest ops. Think it was the tank/pipes maturing and getting a biofilm bit up. If the water level drops even an inch it can pretty loud with flow noise and air bubbles.

But once it's tweaked in, it runs quiet as can be for days/weeks without any adjustment. And that includes using feed mode on my return pump daily.

 

[saltyfins]

Mine runs quietest when I have a trickle flow in the secondary drain. It also allows to go longer without adjusting return flow as required due to build up of organics in the pipe and other minor impacts.

I did have an issue with the diaphragm valve (I assume you still have that), but it was fairly easy to take it apart in place and clean the inside (removed snail). Made a heck of racket. Not a big fan of that valve design but it does work. I have to turn it 1/16 or less of a turn and wait 5-10 min then repeat until level gets where it's quiet. It can very frustrating but with patience (not something that comes naturally to me) it can be dialed in pretty quick.

I used to have ac return pump and switched to dc - that quieted down the hum.

Early on was a bit frustrating getting the flow right for quietest ops. Think it was the tank/pipes maturing and getting a biofilm bit up. If the water level drops even an inch it can pretty loud with flow noise and air bubbles.

But once it's tweaked in, it runs quiet as can be for days/weeks without any adjustment. And that includes using feed mode on my return pump daily.

I dont even have that much water in the overflow box. it's just like water running down pipes....loud. and turning that valve does absolutley nothing. literally. Nothing. I've turned it completley a few spins both ways, and nothing. so I think something is not set up right also.
diaphram? no clue what or where I'd find that. again...this was 2nd hand, and the guy pretty much abused this tank, but now that it's mine, I need to figure out how to make the most of it.

 

[Quietman]

Red Sea uses a diaphragm valve - it's valve that operates by adjusting a rubber disc (diaphragm). At least that's stock. I suspect if it's still there the diaphragm has blown so basically you don't have any throttling at all.

If you're replacing piping, you can just replace the valve as there a few youtube videos on it. Probably be happier with how that operates.

If staying original you can get replacement parts (diaphragm should run under $20 US) or valve ($50) from suppliers. I did I quick search and fishtanksdirect.com had them but I'm sure you can find others and perhaps RedSea or BRS.

Also, there are videos on that diaphragm valve maintenance as well.

Good luck!