Tips for quieting a pump?

[fpsiv]

Part of the system running on my 75 gallon planted tank is a secondary circulation loop that includes a UV sterilizer and CO2 diffuser. This circuit is driven by a pump built in the spirit of Iwaki, so to speak. It’s actually a Blueline HD pump… some details are listed here: http://www.aquadirect.com/catalog/pumps/blueline.htm
I recently moved this entire setup into a new apartment, and for some reason the pump seems louder than it used to be. I put a piece of styrene under the pump so it wouldn’t be in direct contact with the floor, and that helped a bit, but I don’t think the excess noise is due to a vibration. I really don’t know what changed other than the acoustical differences of the apartments… all I know for sure is that I have to tone this thing down.
I was thinking of constructing a ‘sound box’ along the lines of what is used for computers… a wooden box with sound dampening material on the inside and a port appropriately located for the cooling fan. I think this might help the situation, but I’m definitely open to suggestions. Has anyone worked through a problem like this before? Is there a simpler solution I’ve completely missed?

Thanks!
-fpsiv

[125gJoe]

I'm running 2 cansiter filters with CO2 injection and a properly cycled UV Sterilizer and have no noticeable noise from the 80 gallon tank.

You might help out your tank by replacing the BlueLine pump with a canister filter and benefit twice... Less noise, better filtration. Rotate times on filter maintenance, and you always have a good biological filter bed. The only drawback is spending a few dollars for the filter.

[fpsiv]

Now THAT is simply ingenious... or even better, simple and ingenious. :cool:

Could I get you to share some of the specifics of your setup? I looked at your specs page (nice looking discus!) and noticed you’re running an XP3 and 404. Which canister is hooked to the CO2 reactor (do you use a reactor?), and which to the sterilizer? The main reason I opted for a separate pump for the secondary circulation loop was that I had severe doubts that the little XP3 impeller could handle the back-pressure from an additional piece of equipment. Looks like my doubts were ill-conceived…
If I were to get a second filter, it would probably be another XP3 so there would be some commonality of spare/replacement parts.

Thanks,
-fpsiv

edit: spair -> spare

[125gJoe]

My CO2 goes directly in the aquarium with a power reactor, it's not connected through a canister. Here's a pic of it. Look close and you will see the sponge at the bottom of the tube. No bubbles at all get by that sponge, which gives 100% diffusion of the CO2. A small Rio pump agitates the water in the tube to mix the CO2..

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL59/715239/1209351/22125517.jpg

[125gJoe]

fpsiv,
Here's a pic of the UV Sterilizer hooked up 'inline' with the Filstar xP-3. I chose the smooth tubing of the Filstar for this rather than the rough, corrugated tubing that comes with the Fluval. I hate that tubing, as it tends to collect some dirt...

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL59/715239/1510346/18743197.jpg

You can see the black smooth hose connecting the Filstar and the UV. Use the output of the canister connected to the UV Sterilizer so filtered water passes through, which helps keep the UV Sterilizer clean.

Hope this helps out...

Fish pic thrown in for fun... :)

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL59/715239/1597696/31297002.jpg

[Captain Hook]

Beautiful fish picture Joe. You have some good equipment and a really nice looking tank.

[125gJoe]

Thanks!

I see your Avatar is a Discus tank.

How many do you have?

[fpsiv]

Well I'm slightly amazed, but also completely convinced, that the XP3 impeller can run the sterilizer... and it isn't even mounted horizontally above the canister... I'm actually kind of excited about this. :D
I like your in-tank reactor, but I may try my out-of-tank-reactor in-line with the XP3 just to see if it will work. If it does I may have to start scrounging around for the funds for another XP3... arguh... when is payday? :rolleyes:
The reactor I'm working with is the over-engineered CO2 Reactor 10000 (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9918). If I remember correctly, the recommend flow rate for the reactor is right about at the maximum flow rate of the XP3... which is never actually realized in a real setup... but then again it might be just fine.

Thanks for all your help! (And once again... Nice Discus!) ;)

Cheers,
-fpsiv

[Captain Hook]

Sorry guys I don't really have anything to add to this thread, my biggest tank is a 35 gallon and have never used canisters or anything. Anyways, Joe that is kind of my dream tank. Not actually mine but in the future (probably when I move out so not for a while) I would like to set up something around 90 gallons with live plants and discus. Sorry to confuse you.