Sump on the back VS under

[paulojbsilva]

Well, I come to a time when my system is up and running, doing ok, but the noise of the pumps bothers me a litle...that hummmmmmmmmm at night, just kills me.

Adding that to some planning error on my current tank, I'm thinking about a new one.

One major question though. Part of the hum noise (80% maybe) is from the return pump (used a Sicce Silent and now a Jebao DC). Taking water to 120cm up to the display seems to be quite a battle for those pumps, even though they are oversized and both can still make lots of flow. So I thought, "What if the sump was on the back of the tank?". Then the head from the return would be minimal, since I was also planning on making a shallow tank.

So, what do you guys think about my problem? Would a back sump would be more silent that an under the tank one?

Please help thinking along with me.

[seabass]

I'd think the hum is from a vibration (against the glass) and not head pressure. But I haven't used either of those pumps before. Have you tried holding the pump away from the glass to see if it's quieter? If so, maybe you could put the return pump on a pad or piece of filter floss to lessen the vibration. If you are using PVC pipe, cut it shorter and use some flexible tubing connected to the pump to reduce the vibration going through the plumbing.

[paulojbsilva]

Thanks for the input Seabass, but trying to solve the noise was other topic I started here and I think I come to the best possible solution. The pump is suspended and the pipping is totally silicon... But there are other problems as well, that lead me to planning a new tank.

[IronChefItaly]

I have both the Nuvo 40 Fusion (rear sump) and Red Sea Reefer (below sump) and I can tell you without a doubt that the enclosed sump below is more quiet - particularly if you use a skimmer. I agree with seabass in that I don't believe the head pressure is the issue and luckily its fairly easy to rule out. Simply put your pump in a bucket and pump the water to a lower location.

[paulojbsilva]

Thanks for that IronChefItaly...I was aiming for something really inspired on that particular model. What return pump do you use?

[IronChefItaly]

Thanks for that IronChefItaly...I was aiming for something really inspired on that particular model. What return pump do you use?

 

Not certain of which system your referring to but for the Nuvo 40 I use the stock pump which is loud, under powered and seems to require cleanings more often then it should - there are very limited options here as to what you can reasonably fit in the rear sump. As for the Reefer 250, I use a Fluval SP2 return pump and it is actually quite impressive. Knowing Petsmart carries Fluval products, I've maybe been too quick to judge them in the past. The pump is reasonably priced, delivers great flow, the construction is solid and it is very quiet. The only minor set back was the stock intake which created a vortex in the shallow end of my sump so I had to replace it with a 90 degree PVC piece angled down towards the base.

 

Also just an FYI, if you don't quote my post when you reply I won't see a notification to return to this thread.