Durso & overflow not keeping up w/ pump, what to do?

AnnetteG

AnnetteG

getting back to basics
Sep 24, 2007
937
0
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Hello all! Working on setting up my new tank (after taking a little over a year off from the hobby to have & raise my baby girl to a point where I finally feel I can take care of a tank again!) and we've got flushing noises! I can't quite remember how we solved this issue with my last tanks. This is a 58 gal. Oceanic, so only 1 overflow with two bulkheads - 1 for drain to sump and 1 is return. My husband put a Durso in there, which worked great last time. We have a Custom Sea Life T1 pump, which is rated for around 500gph, for the return. It appears to be sucking water out of the sump faster than the overflow can drain it in, which of course causes a flushing noise as the water level goes up and down. Also, on the end where the overflow is draining into the sump, there is a LOT of bubbling going on.

Any advice? Thanks in advance!
 
You will need to find out if there is air getting into the drain. You need a nominal amount to assist with the draining.
When air cannot enter the drain, venting is not taking place causing the flushing type of sound. At some point a large pocket of air will go back up the line causing the "flush" you hear. drilling a small hole in the top of the durso will cure the problem. You should start out with the smallest bit first and then increase until the sound or fault no longer exists. I have found a 3/16 to 1/4 inch to be all that is necessary. Run a piece of tubing from the hole in the top to about 4-6" in length down the drain. Hole size is dependent on drain length.
 
I am thinking my hubby may have put too many holes. He started out with one and then tried more and now we have 3 little holes. The Durso is 1.25" pvc and goes down to 1" pvc into the bulkhead and to the sump. If that helps. Can too many holes be causing the noise? He tried throttling the pump back and it didn't make any difference. He thinks it's not draining fast enough. I dunno. Any more thoughts? Thanks!
 
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