My 135 gallon has 2 built in overflows in the corners. The overflow pipes are sucking in a lot of air into the sump. Is there anything I can do to steady the flow out? Let me know if you need pics and I can post them tomorrow.
Air in Overflow Pipes?
- Thread starter TheFishWrestler
- Start date
Actually, you want heavy aeration going into the sump. It promotes the growth and steady culture of aerobic bacteria in the filter media. These bacteria utilize alot of O2. The result is decreased O2 levels returning to the tank. Heavy aeration provides O2 not only for the bacteria but also for the aquarium itself. Larger sump systems and bio-towers benefit from air injection pumps just for this purpose.
The other problem is it is extremely loud at the top of the overflow pipe. Is there anything I can do about that?
You can install ball valves in the drain plumbing to retard the water flow (and gurgling) a bit or drop a length of twine (tied at the weir) that will wick the water and slow the water's swirl. If the standpipes are very tall, cutting them down in height will help in reducing noise.
Thanks for the help guys. I actually just placed a bio ball on the top of each overflow pipe and it is completely silent now.
a bio ball eh?hehe if it works it works but I imagine it might disrupt the water flow somewhat but maybe not.On mine even a few pellets stuck against the grate disrupt the flow a bit.
My overflow was making a lot of noise when I had the intake as the bare end of the pipe.It created very noisy whirlpool as in picture A that constantly sucked up air.
The air itself may not be such a bad thing as it is good for the bacteria as mentioned but I already have air pumps going to my sump,two dual output whispers actually.
I recently added an elbow to the intake and it is much quieter,almost silent.It did away with the whirlpool and now the water just flows over the edge of the elbow and into the overflow like a little waterfall.....but a quit one......(picture B)
My overflow was making a lot of noise when I had the intake as the bare end of the pipe.It created very noisy whirlpool as in picture A that constantly sucked up air.
The air itself may not be such a bad thing as it is good for the bacteria as mentioned but I already have air pumps going to my sump,two dual output whispers actually.
I recently added an elbow to the intake and it is much quieter,almost silent.It did away with the whirlpool and now the water just flows over the edge of the elbow and into the overflow like a little waterfall.....but a quit one......(picture B)
The bio ball actually worked good. It quieted the whirpool noise and didn't disrupt the flow. The overflow pipes are still keeping up with the pump just fine.
Part of the W/D theory is to areate the water. the noise comes from several different issues, one of which you seem to have solved.
Stand pipes (durso or not) inherently makes noise to some extent. After all, they are drains.
What you seem to have done is to introduce some "turbulance" into the drain entry, thus allowing water and air to mix ever better.
Stand pipes (durso or not) inherently makes noise to some extent. After all, they are drains.
What you seem to have done is to introduce some "turbulance" into the drain entry, thus allowing water and air to mix ever better.