Brand new 180 gallon build after 12 year hiatus.

[freebyrd]

And so I plumbed the overflow as well as roughly set items where I wanted them. I've filled the tank and tuned the Synergy Shadow overflow, which was the hardest part in my opinion. It takes the proper internal piping length combination as well as tuning the primary overflow pipe gate valve to achieve quiet operation. I'll also post a link to a video I made. I think it's still a little loud but Synergy Shadow says it will quiet with time and organic life. Let me know what you think I'm open to constructive criticism! Most of my noise comes from the piping itself and not the overflow. Also not pictured, I have extension pipes that go under the water level at the inlet where the socks are located on the far left.

 

[freebyrd]

YouTube link! Sorry I am NOT trying to be a content creator, I just love talking to other AquaHeads!

 

[Sassafras]

Great looking setup!

On a bean animal overflow configuration, Synergy, Modular Marine or other, Flow from the overflow box to the sump should be nearly silent. Main drain (with gate valve) should be totally submerged in the overflow box and exit just slightly, maybe an inch, below the water level in the sump and be carrying 100% of the flow. Secondary drain should be just a hair above the water level in the overflow box so that any rise in the level due to blockage of the main drain begins to flow through the secondary. Emergency should never carry water unless both the main and secondary become blocked.

To me, looking at your top-down view of the overflow box, it looks like either the main drain is too high or the secondary drain too low. You need enough difference in height so that the main drain can fill completely and carry all the flow with a little freeboard to spare before the secondary starts to see water. The way yours is set up, it looks like the secondary drain will be carrying water when the box level is high enough to allow the main drain to siphon. This would contribute to flow noise and may be the reason you extended the secondary drain pipe. If what I am seeing and describing is right, you may want to raise your secondary drain in the overflow box.

Here is what I would check:

1. Is main drain running at full siphon, not pulling any air? Answer should be "yes". If "no", close gate valve slightly until main siphon is completely submerged.
2. Is secondary drain flowing water? Answer should be "no", although a tiny, silent trickle is acceptable and preferred by some as a reference for how much flow the main drain is carrying. If "yes", raise the secondary siphon above the water level at which the main drain holds full siphon.
3. Is there any flow from the emergency drain? Answer should be "no".

When all is adjusted correctly, you should be able to achieve a near silent aquarium. The loudest noise from my tank is the cooling fans on my lights and a faint hum from the pump if I open the cabinet. Water noise is undetectable.

 

[Trouser Cough]

Welcome home. Looks like a pretty high zoot setup to blend w/ a frugal mindset. Very nice!

 

[freebyrd]

Great looking setup!

When all is adjusted correctly, you should be able to achieve a near silent aquarium. The loudest noise from my tank is the cooling fans on my lights and a faint hum from the pump if I open the cabinet. Water noise is undetectable.

Thank you, I read the same info on Synergy Shadow installation instructions. I've never had an external overflow setup, and I was really excited to play with it. Really detailed info and I appreciate it! I've played with it more since that video and I believe I have near silence from the overflow box BUT I still have a ton of noise from the primary drain piping itself. The primary drain is completely submerged but I'm still getting noise, which must be coming from air. I may need lengthen the secondary overflow a bit and try to readjust again. Will try that and report back.

 

[freebyrd]

I have tuned the overflow, and used 2.5" on the primary, 4.5" on the secondary, and 6.75" on the tertiary emergency. Driftwood is on order and waiting on my LFS to get new plants in stock.

 

[spotfin]

For your planted refugium area in the sump, could you grow some lettuce or other aquaponic plant?
Beautiful setup!

 

[DN328]

I have tuned the overflow, and used 2.5" on the primary, 4.5" on the secondary, and 6.75" on the tertiary emergency. Driftwood is on order and waiting on my LFS to get new plants in stock.

Nice job on the new set up. Technically you do not need any pipe for the primary drain in the ghost overflow. I also have a ghost overflow and unless the Synergy is unique in operation you can just use a slip abs filter into the bulkhead to keep large objects out. This will max your siphon. I also use straight pipes for the secondary trickle and e-drain. Basically a Herbie set up but with edrain.

If the pipe going in the sump is not glued make sure it's snug as air creates noise too. I have filter sccks and don't glue to replace the socks. Also you may want to keep the edrain above the water on the end to the sump as you want that too make noise to get your attention. Something to consider.