drain help
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14626
Printed Date: July 20 2026 at 9:43am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: drain help
Posted By: jbo22
Subject: drain help
Date Posted: October 15 2006 at 4:56pm
| I have a 1 inch bulk head at the top of my 90. What is the best way to plumb the drain to the sump so that there isn't very much noise? I tried a durso type thing with a T right after the bulk head and a hole at the top, but it wouldn't drain very much water. When I plug the hole, the water drains a lot more but it then has to suck air through the drain screen which makes it really loud. Do I need to go to a bigger pipe (1 1/4 inch) after I come out of the bulk head? Any suggestions would be nice. |
Replies:
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: October 15 2006 at 5:23pm
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Sounds like (that's a pun) you need more air to reduce the noise. Your description of the durso is unclear. Did you actually have the tee just inches above the bulkhead? Please explain.
 <Edit> I think I get it. The tank is drilled on the back top, right? Is the Tee as close to the back as possible? What's the setup for the inside of the tank?
Oh, and yes, making a Modified Durso with a larger diameter standpipe is much better and often much quieter. here are pics of it. I'd be happy to show you how to make it. It takes up much less room than the standard Durso.   ------------- 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: jbo22
Date Posted: October 15 2006 at 6:10pm
| The hole is drilled in the back top left of the tank. It is a 1 inch bulk head. The setup on the inside of the tank is a 90 aimed down with a drain screen covering to keep the fish out. The T on the outside of the tank is as close to the bulk head as it can be. When the air hole on top of the T is open, the drain doesn't drain much and the pump will overflow the tank. When the air hole is closed, it is forced to suck the air from the inside the tank (very loud), but it drains a lot more water. The setup from the T to the sump: a simple 1 inch pipe straight down with a 90 and some 1 inch flex pipe to the sump. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: October 16 2006 at 9:22pm
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Sounds to me that when the air hole is closed the unit acts as a siphon, pulling water down fast. The tank water level drops, a whirlpool develops, and then the water level drops further until it simply drags air into the "siphon" tube right from the water surface. The air displaces a portion of the water which reduces the amount of water going down the pipe. This reduction of water entering the sump allows the pump to keep up and eventually reaches equilibrium or else the siphon breaks and all water stops going down the pipe. If the air wasn't sucked in, the pump would not be able to keep up with the flow. Is this a good evaluation of what happens or would happen if you left the air hole closed? Where did you get the idea to do it like this or is this a tank that you bought already drilled?
How many inches from the top frame is the top of the bulkhead opening?
Why is the 90 pointing down?
If this communication process is too slow for you (as it is for me  ), please feel free to call me at the number below.------------- 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: fj40fax
Date Posted: October 19 2006 at 6:31pm
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jfinch has a similar set up, but he built small boxes around the 90deg
elbow to keep a constant water level. It sounds to me that the
air hole needs to be adjustable. A correctly set up durso needs
to be part siphon, but also alow air into the drain pipe at the right
ratio to allow smooth operation. The easiest way to do this is to
make an adjustable air hole. Just use a small section of pipe and
put on a cap and then drill a 3/8" hole through the cap and the
pipe. Glue the small pipe into the T and let it dry. Then
you can adjust the amount of air by simply turning the cap on the small
pipe. When it is right the water level should be somewhere near
the middle of the bulkhead and should not oscilate up and down.
Should be really quiet, becuse it no longer has to suck air and water
through the same hole. If only I could work a modified durso out
for my father-in-law at sunday dinner, I'd be set. Hope this
helps. Fax ------------- Fax 318-3632 90g 2x250W 14kK MH Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle Adjustments and Massages for Frags! |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: October 20 2006 at 8:35am
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"If only I could work a modified durso out for my father-in-law at sunday dinner, I'd be set." ------------- 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: jfinch
Date Posted: October 20 2006 at 8:56am
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Here's a thread with pictures of my set up: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1335 - http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1335
And if you do a search on Durso you'll find lots of help/info. Done right, they are very efficient and quiet. ------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: October 21 2006 at 5:03am
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Jon, I can't remember, did you ever do vertical screen, like your last post in that thread indicates?
Also, how well does it work without the elbow, just a straight shot to the tee in back? ------------- 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: jfinch
Date Posted: October 21 2006 at 10:25am
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I still have a screen and snails still occationally get stranded out in the middle.
The durso will not work without the elbow.
[edit]
Maybe I shouldn't say it will not work, but it would be very difficult to regulate without the elbow. ------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |