Silencing a Tank

[FearsomeB]

I have a 70 gallon Reef with approximately 30 gallon sump in the living room. Have had it set up since November and things are coming along nicely. The only problem with it is that it makes quite a bit of noise. The two main culprits are my skimmer and return pump. I am just wondering if anyone has any ideas on making tanks run quieter in general, or to silence these two pieces of equipment, specifically. Here is a list of the equipment I run:

Reef Octopus Extreme XS 160 Protein Skimmer (Sicce PSK-2500 pump) (I cut pieces of vinyl tubing and put around the feet of this unit to reduce vibration noise)

Return - Rio (2500, I think - got it used)

BRS Dual Carbon/GFO running on a maxi-jet 1200

Top-Off running on an aqualifter

Bubble Magus dosing pump

Filter sock

2x AI Sol LED lights


Any comments on the equipment generally is welcomed, but I am specifically interested in noise-reducing ideas. There is no gurgling or other water noise-related issues. It's really just the sounds of the skimmer/return pumps running and possibly associated vibration.

 

[Bryceandmandy]

i would definetly try using a mouse pad or sponge to rest the pumps on, other than that you may want to try using a rubberized mat under the sump similar to the ones they use in weight rooms. if you look for "Kev's ROMA mod" tank thread he uses something like that.

 

[Silkyslim]

Dunno how loud your return is but I had a mag pump as my return and it was loud. Replaced it with a ehiem and that fixed the problem. You could also use aquarium safe silicone as feet for the skimmer just small beads on the corners.


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[Bryceandmandy]

Dunno how loud your return is but I had a mag pump as my return and it was loud. Replaced it with a ehiem and that fixed the problem. You could also use aquarium safe silicone as feet for the skimmer just small beads on the corners.


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

Taht idea with the skimmer is awsome lol

 

[TechMan]

Dudes, I lived in a CO-OP & had to almost take down my tank because of this. What I did was this:
1) Purchase Ehiem 1262 pump ($160 & 900GPM)
2) Tied a loop on the Ehiem electrical cord & placed tie wrap on it, so as to keep the loop in place.
3) Placed a hook underneath the wood of my stand & placed rubber bands on the hook to displace any minute vibration.
4) Place the looped electrical cord over the hook, whereby suspending the return in mid-water of the sump.

I can't even tell you how dead silent it was. For my skimmer I rubberband a Eheim filter pad to the underneath & it cushioned all the vibrations.