Drainpipe noise!

[cklayko2000]

I have a 125g tank circulating about 2100g per hour. I have a remote sump that is being fed by 2" drain pipe that is putting off a lot of noise. I'm using a durso stand pipe, the noise is coming from under the aquarium. I have been advised to reduce the size of my drain pipe. My question is if I put a ball valve on the end of my drainpipe will that solve my problem?

 

[Mihai]

I'm not sure what the problem is, but a ball valve is asking for trouble: it will offer a place for things to get stuck and plug the pipe. Perhaps it's the water dropping in the sump? In this case you may want to get the pipe under the water of the sump...

M.

 

[cklayko2000]

Thanks Mihai, the sump is in the next room. I think it is the air in the pipes that is causing the noise. What is the right size for the drain pipe?

 

[WRASSER]

It seems the flow rate of the water is too fast and the drain pipe is too big. the air from the pipe being to big is making the sound. the ball valve will work to slow the rate down, to stop the sound. BUT Mihai is totally right and way too much unwanted things will get stuck and cause more problems. Try a smaller drain pipe or try a pool hose that is flexible to bend. I have two on my drop box to the wet/dry and it does not make any noise. In fact my skimmer is the loudest thing in the cabnet 8)
Good luck and let us know what happens :wink: :!:

 

[cklayko2000]

Thanks Wrasser, it is really easy for me to reduce the size to 1.5", do you think that will still be to big, is 1" too small? any suggestions?

 

[Mihai]

2" is a lot of pipe (on the other hand 2100gph is also a lot of water). I remember I used this formula I found on this website on one topic and it came pretty close to reality (my 1" pipe handles about 780gph).

Without getting into too many specifics, there is a formula
(Hazen-Williams Formula) that is widely accepted for the calculation
of pipe flow (especially for water utilities). This formula states:

Q = 0.432 * C1 * D(raised to the power 2.63) * S (raised to the power 0.54)

where:

Q = discharge in ft3/sec
0.432 = unitless coefficient
C1 = coefficient based on surface roughness
for plastic (PVC and ABS)=130
D = pipe diameter in ft
S = frictional head loss

Following the formula (I really don't remember how did I came up with S) your 2" should be able to handle about 3120gph. Similarly, an 1.5" will only handle 1755gph, so it's not good for you. So you have the right pipe diameter, any lower and it would not make it. You just need to quiet it down a bit. Is your Durso working right? You may consider adjusting the air intake (should be rather big for 2100gph, perhaps about 1/4") and see if that makes a difference in the noise. Also if it's noise in the pipe that comes through the pipe, you may cover the pipes with something that stops the noise (fluf?!) .

M.

 

[cklayko2000]

Thanks for that equation. My durso standpipe has a hole in the top that is just big enough so that it doesn't create the toilet flushing sound/action... Should I open it up more?

 

[WRASSER]

Mihai is probably right about the sizes maybe 1 3/4'' will work. I personally like the pool hose, that is what i have on mine 8)

 

[Anonymous]

How do you have it comming in to your sump? Can you get a pic and post it?

 

[cklayko2000]

I'll take some pictures this afternoon and post.

Thanks!

Chris

 

[klayko]

Here are some pictures of my drainpipe setup. As you can see it drains out of the bottom of the tank thru the wall to the sump on the other side. Thoughts? I'm think I'll reduce the last segment of the pipe that actually dumps into the sump to 1.75" and see it that solves the problem.