New setup advise please

[Wendy]

My new 5 x 2 x 2 is now up and running but there are a few problems. The main one being the noise.....it sounds like Niagra Falls!!

I think maybe the pump is just way to powerful but am hoping you can either confirm my suspicions or give me some suggestions on how to make it quieter. According to the box the pump head height is up to 5m and can move 5000 L per hour. Tank is about 540L and sump probably a couple of hundred L....not sure on sump must do some measuring.

Below are pics of what the outflow is doing to the sand at the bottom of the tank and also the setup on the intake.

So far I have cut the intake pipe to an angle instead of straight across as I figured it would lessen the whirlpool effect of the water going in it...and stop that nasty bath plug noise! Yes it did help but there is still a lot of gurgling going on.

I'm going to try putting a sponge on top of the intake pipe to also quieten it further...I think this will work as I had it on a sump setup once before and it was cool. Also stops fry from being sucked into the filter, which is handy.

I thought stuffing some pond filter medium into the bottom of the pipe might also stop the Niagra Falls effect as the water gushes down the tube into the sump......obviously I would have to be careful not to create a flood!!

I know Discus do not like a lot of flow so am wondering if 5000L an hour is necessary .....will put a pic of the sump too so you can see the setup.

Cheers and thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

[Bonkaz]

In regards to the gurgling have alook on google for durso standpipes, they will stop alot of noise from the overflow.
You can put a tee on the return line to lessen the flow churning up the sandbed too.
I have never been a fan of the wet/dry sumps but hey if they work for you.... as long as you dont get to much debris in the balls.

Cheers

Phill

[Decapper]

I'm also not a fan of the sump... Not into that water fall sound in the lounge room while I'm trying to watch tv. And it also sounds you are the same.

With a sump setup you will always have that sound as this is the way it works with falling water.

I have transformed my Aqua One which comes with a drip filter in the lid when you buy it. I've replaced the drip with a pond filter which works great for me. Ony problem is just about all pond filters are designed to be above the water line which has a lot less pressure than below water line. I have a 4500L/Hr pump which if I don't run a spray bar (which was the old drip bar for this tank) the complete length of the tank I have a very current! The spray even has two holes at 3cm intervals.

My 4500L/Hr pump
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/1482/img0500ql.jpg

My pond filter
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/4224/img0496ma.jpg

My spray bar complete length
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/418/img0492i.jpg

My Tank at Night (thought Id throw this in lol)
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/9913/img0485jj.jpg

Another night (dont have spot lights setup right yet)
http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/7497/img0482n.jpg

[Wendy]

Thankyou Phill, I googled as you said and the Durso sounds like the answer to the intake problem.

Decapper that extra long spray bar also sounds like a terrific idea.

With these two things in mind I headed to the nearest town....only to find that the grey pipe that the shop supplied with the tank is actually electrical conduit sizing(It is apparently telephone cable pipe) and as such it is deliberately sized differently to water pipe ....der coz one should not mix water with electrical stuff. Also even if one manages to get something to fit it...the threads are also different on the threaded bits so that you can't "accidentally" connect it to water pipe. It seems I shall have to replace the piping from scratch or I shall face problems every time I want to tinker with it.......bugger.....

****reaches for the syphon hose****

[aquafrogstuff]

5,000L/h is too much for a 5ft. Bearing in mind printed flow rates and actual can vary depending in the brand, but that size pump will deliver high flow into the tank (hence the affects on the substrate). Have a look at my post here about using spray bars. I can upload photos if that helps.

http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22803

Also have a think about getting a single phase variable speed drive. These devices will allow you to vary the speed of the pump motor which will help save on electricity costs (no point pumping 5,000L into a tank when you may only need 2,500L).

Hope that helps.


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[Wendy]

Thanks Aquafrogstuff, I made a DIY spraybar out of a black poly tube(the rigid stuff) that extends the full length of the tank. It has holes drilled every centimetre and spreads the flow quite nicely. At the mo the tank is home to some baby angels and a few rummies and cats, they are all happy with the flow. Cheers and thanks for your comments.

[rex82]

to reduce the noise try drilling some holes in the bottom of a peice of 50mm pvc pipe and cut it so when slipped over the stand pipe it sticks up out of water, this will drop the noise you are getting.

[Wendy]

Thanks Rex, the standpipe is working well now.....nice and peaceful...yay!!

[Monolicious]

whats the substrate ur using Wendy and where did you get it from ?

Regards

Peter

[Wendy]

It's pool filter sand from Clarke Rubber. I still have one left so here's a pic of the bag. $20 a bag. It is mined in WA so I'm not sure if its available Australia wide or not.

Also here is a pic of the tank at the moment, I cycled it for a month before adding fish. Fish went in on 19th of July and all looks good so far.