dangles
Valuable Member
Apologies in advance, I'm a bit long-winded 
I have a Planet Aquarium Mega Matrix 120 (4x2x2) with an external overflow. Initially I had a LOT of trouble getting it dialed in and "quiet." The issue was the standpipes included with the package were TOO LOW, resulting in a LOW water level in the overflow box. The water level in both the internal and external halves of the overflow is determined by the secondary drain which, as designed, sits well below the top of the bulkheads connecting internal/external halves. So the splashing caused by the water falling through the weir and down to the water level gets amplified through the two large connecting holes and into the back half. Essentially creating a big echo chamber. The low water level and turbulent flow also makes it more likely the primary drain will suck in air (more noise).
My solution was to replace the secondary and emergency standpipes with TALLER ones, and the primary with a SHORTER one, thus pushing the water level inside the overflow box nearly to the top. I allowed enough space for the emergency drain to sit the highest of course. This resulted in the bulkhead connections being covered, which quieted the flow down SIGNIFICANTLY.
However, the water level in the overflow is still about a half inch below the water level in the tank itself. This means when the water flows through the weir, it falls slightly, creating a trickling sound. This is my first tank with a sump, so part of this could just be my inexperience. However I hear over and over people talking about how their overflows are DEAD silent. And my wife NOT being a reefer would greatly appreciate that since the tank sits right outside our bedroom!
So after all that, my question is this: for those who have this Planet Aquarium external overflow, is there a trickling sound with yours? Did you have to modify the overflow in any way to achieve a quieter/silent flow?
After some brainstorming I'm considering getting a piece of 1/2" PVC, capping it at both ends so it floats, and placing it in the weir box. This should quiet down the "trickling" as the water will flow over it rather than fall to the surface of the water in the box. And the shape of it wouldn't allow it to clog anything as far as I can tell. Alternatively, I could silicone it to the inside of the weir box, just below the weir so the water flows over it more gently.
Thoughts on this?
I have a Planet Aquarium Mega Matrix 120 (4x2x2) with an external overflow. Initially I had a LOT of trouble getting it dialed in and "quiet." The issue was the standpipes included with the package were TOO LOW, resulting in a LOW water level in the overflow box. The water level in both the internal and external halves of the overflow is determined by the secondary drain which, as designed, sits well below the top of the bulkheads connecting internal/external halves. So the splashing caused by the water falling through the weir and down to the water level gets amplified through the two large connecting holes and into the back half. Essentially creating a big echo chamber. The low water level and turbulent flow also makes it more likely the primary drain will suck in air (more noise).
My solution was to replace the secondary and emergency standpipes with TALLER ones, and the primary with a SHORTER one, thus pushing the water level inside the overflow box nearly to the top. I allowed enough space for the emergency drain to sit the highest of course. This resulted in the bulkhead connections being covered, which quieted the flow down SIGNIFICANTLY.
However, the water level in the overflow is still about a half inch below the water level in the tank itself. This means when the water flows through the weir, it falls slightly, creating a trickling sound. This is my first tank with a sump, so part of this could just be my inexperience. However I hear over and over people talking about how their overflows are DEAD silent. And my wife NOT being a reefer would greatly appreciate that since the tank sits right outside our bedroom!
So after all that, my question is this: for those who have this Planet Aquarium external overflow, is there a trickling sound with yours? Did you have to modify the overflow in any way to achieve a quieter/silent flow?
After some brainstorming I'm considering getting a piece of 1/2" PVC, capping it at both ends so it floats, and placing it in the weir box. This should quiet down the "trickling" as the water will flow over it rather than fall to the surface of the water in the box. And the shape of it wouldn't allow it to clog anything as far as I can tell. Alternatively, I could silicone it to the inside of the weir box, just below the weir so the water flows over it more gently.
Thoughts on this?
