overflows .. again

[::pete::]

Im wrestling with this u tube to shut it up. I understand that its a gravity thing so pump size shouldnt matter? The more I flow (input) the more it should siphon to the fuge/sump and vise versa ... yes ? I can shut it up, but then there is a lower than wanter water level in the main tank. Should hoses be bigger on one side than the other? Thanks

[brewercm]

Up to a point pump size won't matter.
Correct on the siphon rate in direct association with pump return also as long is you're not overdriving the siphon.
My U-tube is the same on both sides and I've never had a problem with exessive noise. Wish I had better answers for you.

[::pete::]

In the outer box there are two syphon tubes one of which I capped off with a threaded plug on the outside. The noise is coming from the water level being right at the top of the tubes (like a toilet that never stops running). Everything is flowing good, but I just cant seem to keep enough water in the outer box to fill above the tubes and quiet it up. I have pinched the return line and all that does is make the fuge/sump fill. It has a leveling screw that I have tried in all different locations as well as adding and removing 1 of the 2 U Tubes. Again thanks.

[SaltyJim]

Pete,

I don;t know if you have checked this out yet or not, but I beleive that this is what Joshua was referring to. http://home.att.net/~rstockman/overflow.htm

You can follow the "creator's" thread on new modifications at this link.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239116&highlight=stockm an

HTH,

Jim

[GeoB]

I put 90 degree PVC elbows on the overflow outlets. This reduced the noise quite a bit for my set up. I also lay a rolled up towel over the outside part of the overflow box. It wedges between the wall and canopy so no chance for it to touch water or lights.

[GeoB]

Actually, I'm remembering now that what reduced my overflow noise the most was lengthening the amount of piping from the overflow outlets to the sump inlets. The sump inlets were originally directly below the overflow, then I moved them to the other side of the stand, increasing the piping by 4 feet. I guess the extra piping decreased the flow rate. Before I extended the piping, I tried to decrease the flow rate with valves, but I didn't feel comfortable with how much I had to close them to get a reduction in noise. Seemed it would be too easy for them to get clogged. I think it is basically a trial and error thing. I didn't have room in the overflow to try the stockman method.