Redo the drainpipe?

[bjoiner]

The tank is nearly cycled. I'm guessing a week or so more.

The annoyance I'm running into is that the overflow is very loud. I tried installing a durso but was getting the "flushing" effect. I'm guessing the problem is that the flexible tubing the store set me up with is about 4' long and the sump is only about 2' below the bottom of the display tank. Therefore, it makes a giant 'S' figure with the lowest point in the tubing below the top of the sump where the water actually drains out.

I was thinking about replacing the drain tubing with hard pvc and 2-45 degree bends. (The tubing installed now cannot be cut shorter. It's a weird swimming pool tubing)

One of the reasons for doing this is so that I can install a valve to shut of the return (for cleaning out the sump)

1. Would this help at all?

2. Would I need to install a valve at the return pump end as well? (There is a check valve, but from what I hear I shouldn't trust it other than to prevent a syphon. There is room in the sump to drain the water in the display to the bottom of the overflow.)

3. Is there a way to connect pvc at the ends so that I do not need to glue it?

4. One other option would be to extend the pvc at the bottom of the display tank to come straight down into the sump - bypassing the sock filter. How crucial is the sock if I have a decent skimmer?

 

[bleedingthought]

1. It doesn't seem like you would need a valve in order to clean your sump. If the sump can hold the extra water when your return pump is off you can just drain it.

2. A ball valve on the return pump can be used to turn down how much water is going to the display and also to keep it from back draining.

3. You can use union fittings that make it easy to disconnect pipes. But all pvc connections should be glued if they're not threaded.

4. You can still put a sock filter on hard pvc. You have to clean the sock often either way. It's often used to catch bigger particles/detritus before your water goes to the skimmer. The sock also helps with micro bubbles. Many people don't even use it at all though.

Hope that helps a little! :wink:

 

[bjoiner]

Thanks bleedingthought,

The sock filter (6" diameter - big!) is on the left side of the sump (the sump was built with a place to hold the filter) and the drainpipe is right in the middle of the tank. So to use the pre-existing sock, I would have to bend the pipe.

From what I've read a straight drain pipe is quieter than one with bends. Is this actually true? and would it prevent the flushing?

 

[bleedingthought]

Take the sock out. I've never touched a pre-made sump so I don't know. My sock is also that big but I have a drawstring to close up around the pipe. You could try something like that. You can even take it out completely and see what you think.

A straight pipe can be quieter since the flow can hit angles and cause some additional noise when you have bends. Also, the more bends the less flow.

Now, I have a durso. I had flushing before and making the hole at the top bigger ended the flushing for me. Also, try to only have the end of the drain be submersed about 1"-3" inches.