Noisy Megaflow Sump

Tyslin · 02-11-2007, 06:48 PM

My Setup:

I am new to the hobby and need help with my aquarium setup. I have a 90 Gal perfecto tank with built in overflow, I believe the overflow is 700 to 750 GPH. I connected the drainline from the overflow to the primary bubble chamber within my megaflow sump. On my return line,..I have a supreme magdrive pump(1800 gph) in my sump that is connected to a Y tap, so that one side is connected to the return line in the overflow and the other is connected to a return nozzle on the opposite corner of the tank.

For some reason unknown to me I am getting loud gurgling noises from the primary bubble chamber in my sump. Also,..as that is occuring the water level in my overflow drops 1 to 2 inches then rises up again, this keeps on happening over and over again. along with the gurgling noise. I don't know what to do, if anyone is familiar with this type of problem please reply to this thread, any help and opinion is always appreciated, thanks.

4G1v3N · 02-11-2007, 07:10 PM

Hey Tyslin,
First of all welcome to 3Reef! On your overflow what type of pipe are you using? pvc or flex, and when it enters your sump does it go under the water or does the water pour into the sump? If your pipe is too far under the water that could were your problem is. I think with a litte more info we could help you more.

-Jordan

APC · 02-11-2007, 07:22 PM

I have the same set up. I had to throttle back my return pump a little bit to get the gurgling to stop. basically I think your tank is filling up a little bit faster then it can drain. I reduced my flow little by little until I got a good balance and the noise has stopped.

dydot · 02-11-2007, 07:24 PM

Welcome to 3reef you came to the right place.
The raise and falls maybe from the water in and out (main tank to sump) is not equal. If you can give us the picture of your set up, im sure we can help you better.
Mean while, try to adjust the valve eiter from the intake or from the return.
For noise, try using sponge to reduce it.
I believe u and all of us knows there is evaporation, so u need to "replace" the evaporation with fresh water to top off.

best of luck with your tank.

cheers,

RD

Tangster · 02-11-2007, 07:38 PM

A mag 1800 is way way way to much return pump for a 90 gallon tank. The overflow will not handle that volume of water/ A Mag 9.5 is at tops all you could use also is it hard piped or the pool hose deal ? I'd find myself the proper sized pump no need to water the money on wattage and extra heat from pump.

Tyslin · 02-11-2007, 08:09 PM

Thanks for welcoming me to 3reef 4G1v3N, my overflow has a 1 1/2 inch pvc drain pipe and I have inserted a 1 1/4 in pvc pipe into the drain pipe underneath the overflow which gives me a 1 inch drain. Hopefully Iam not confusing you. That 1 inch drain has flexible tubing connected to it, that is also connected to the intake pipe of the overflow which is 1 1/4 inches in diameter. The 1 1/4 pvc pipe in the primary bubble chamber of the sump extends all the way down to the sump bottom. So I guess it goes under the water. I've tried moving the pipe higher, but I get same results, I've adjusted many times. hope this added info is helpful, thanks.

4G1v3N · 02-11-2007, 08:30 PM

Hmmm,
I would say that if that isnt your problem then I would have to agree with tangster. If your overflow can only produce 700-750 and your return is 1800 that is going to make the overflow work too hard and make allot of noise in return. If you have a valve on your return pump I would adjust that to make a slower return rate. If you have the option of changing pumps I would do what tangster is suggesting and go with the 9.5. That should fix your prob!
Keep us posted on your fix.
Good luck
-Jordan

Tyslin · 02-11-2007, 08:57 PM

you guys are awesome I slowed the flow on the return pump and noise has reduced to an acceptable level. Thanks alot guys. I have another question regarding water movement. Now that I have slowed the flow of water to the tank my water movement has slowed as well, I want to keep inverts that probably will require med to high water movement. The reason I setup the tank the way I described was to make sure I didn't have to buy powerheads for strong current. I want to make sure I don't have alot of equip in the main tank. I didn't want powerheads in main tank. Any suggestions, guys?

4G1v3N · 02-11-2007, 09:21 PM

Thanks Tyslin! Im glad to hear that your problem is fixed to a reasonable level.

Well unfortunitly if your tank isnt drilled for a closed loop setup i dont think there is much you can do... I wouldent only rely on the flow from the return pump for your circulation, even though powerheads are sort of an eye sore they help allot to get flow to those certain spots in the tank that lack it.

How many return holes are drilled in your tank? If you have 2 the only other option I can think of is to add a seperate fuge with another return pump for one of the holes. Big pain in the arse but I dont know any other options...
Good luck!
-Jordan

Tyslin · 02-11-2007, 10:42 PM

Cool I understand, thanks again for your help.