System Kinks
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: EMERGENCY FORUM
Forum Description: If you have an Emergency post here and you should receive a quick reply.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=55232
Printed Date: July 10 2026 at 11:01pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: System Kinks
Posted By: Tanuki
Subject: System Kinks
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 8:27am
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Ok so I got all of my plumbing done last night and started up the pump, but I am running into an issue. I don't know if it is an emergency or not, but I want to make sure that this isn't damaging the equipment. I can't get this noise to go away. I have moved the return heads a little and the noise stops of a few seconds then starts again. I am wondering if I just need to tighten something or what? The noise only comes from the returns on the left side of the tank. Once I get this figured out, I should be good, but I want to make sure it is not going to hurt the system at all. Any help is VERY much appreciated. http://s813.photobucket.com/albums/zz55/CelestialBeingExia/?action=view¤t=IMG_7439.mp4" rel="nofollow">  ------------- Defending Reefscape Champion (I Think) |
Replies:
Posted By: rufessor
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 9:35am
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Sorry... not quite grasping what's making the noise nor exactly what were supposed to see in the picture. Looks like a 90 elbow coming off a smaller diameter pipe, is that the return, and is there a nozzle in the tank... and what does the noise sound like, vibration? COuld it just be bubbles trapped in a line that has high velocity water going through it? ------------- Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler -A.E. 57 Gallon RImless build in progress check the thread before if becomes boring and just full of nice pictures of colorful coral! |
Posted By: Tanuki
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 9:45am
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If you click the picture it is a video. Sorry I didnt explain that well.
------------- Defending Reefscape Champion (I Think) |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 9:55am
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What happens when you put your fingers over the end of the return to partially restrict the flow from the right or the left?
------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: Tanuki
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 9:59am
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It maintains the sound. I have a ball valve on the return line in the garage. When I open it all the way the sound is worse, but when it is nearly closed it does go down a little bit. I am wondering if maybe the nuts on the return lines arent tight enough? I am not sure. I haven't completely closed the ball valve either, but that is for obvious reasons. I will pay someone to come fix it if they can this afternoon. I don't think I can sleep another night with the noise. ------------- Defending Reefscape Champion (I Think) |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 10:02am
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Brent -
Are you getting any air bubbles coming from that return? ------------- - My Current Tank: 50g Starfire Cube Reef * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Tanuki
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 10:06am
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No air bubbles. The water is a bit murky though right now though from the sand moving.
------------- Defending Reefscape Champion (I Think) |
Posted By: Tanuki
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 10:26am
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could the pipes be resonating/ shaking?
------------- Defending Reefscape Champion (I Think) |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 10:40am
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I was thinking a loose fitting sucking in air... but you would be getting alot of bubbles / micro bubbles if that were the case.
So possibly some resonation, especially if it gets 'worse" with the ball joint full open.
I would start by looking at the holes where the pipe passes thorugh the walls and see if there is any contact or noticeable vibration.
------------- - My Current Tank: 50g Starfire Cube Reef * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Tanuki
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 10:47am
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Oh the noise is in the overflow chamber. It is also specific to that side. so it has to be around there I think.
------------- Defending Reefscape Champion (I Think) |
Posted By: Fatman
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 3:31pm
| That is interesting. Any chance you have something (small part) in the return line that is stuck at the elbow? |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: March 24 2012 at 11:46am
 Try these things to see what happens: Turn off the return pump and listen for when the noise stops. If it stops immediately or almost immediately, this tells you that it has to do with the return side, the powered side of the system. If it keeps going while the pump is off but while the major portion of water is draining that tells you it is the draining side of the system. Place your hand over part of the overflow to change where and how the water is falling. What does that do to the sound? What style are the overflow standpipes? Durso or something else? Is there a valve on the drain line where you can change the water flow coming into the sump/Refugium? Do you remember how my large 2 section frag tank was set up? It was completely quiet and yet it had a flow down the drain of almost 1200 gph. I'd be happy to help you get this fixed.  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Tanuki wrote:Posted By: Aquarium Creations
Date Posted: March 25 2012 at 12:43pm
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Tanuki, Remember we kinda talked about this when i was at your house and said thats crazy loud. give me a call then you get a chance we can make it allot quieter but you will still have a little nose cause of the 10+ feet of drain.. ------------- Aquarium Maintenance,Consulting,Custom Built Glass Aquariums Rimless/Euro,24Hr Emergency Service 8015485201 Www.UtahAquariumDoctors.com [email protected] |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: March 25 2012 at 10:05pm
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Aha! Eric has the answer. 10+ feet of drain makes plenty of room to back up the flow with a valve which can completely quiet the sound of water falling down the drain piping. A long/large screen on top will keep it flowing and prevent a flood. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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