Fullofit343

I love my saltwater tank but it just makes so much noise! it's in my bedroom so i can't even get a moment of silence! Between the protein skimmer, the overflow etc. it's just so loud it's hard to even enjoy it. I saw that thing you can put in your overflow box but don't understand how it works. What are some ways of quieting a noisey tank?

Edit: it sounds like half of the noise is coming from the venturi of my protein skimmer (it is very loud and makes a buzzing and bubbling sound) and the other is coming from my overflow which is making a combination of bubbling, slurping, and sounds similar to niagra falls!

lew2000

There are some options. I am not sure wether you have an external overflow box or internal. If you have an internal, you can buy a standpipe setup (Durso), this quiets the overflow significantly - i use in my FW tank internal overflow. External overflow box you can place a sponge in it - just be sure to clean frequently. For my sump i use a diffuser/sponge configuration on the end of the drain hose. As to the skimmer - you can build a simple enclosure out of foam (not styrofoam), also make sure if it is adjustable, that you have it adjusted properely - so that it is operating effeciently - models with needle wheels, etc, can be noisier if not adjusted properely.

Hope this helps.

Fullofit343

can you go into a little more detail with the enclosure for the skimmer?

lew2000

I used Berlin types which rested on the floor - so i used a base of rubber, then i built an enclosure aroun the entire unit that i was able to lift up. With the Berlin i used inlet/outlet tubes - so i made cut-outes from where the tubes enterd the skimmer to the floor. A friend of mine had a HOB skimmer, he used foam and enclosed the area that rested against the back of the tank (both sides the back and the bottom - with a cutout for the electrical cord). He then attached a velco strap to the back of the foam pad of the enclosure with two velcro attacments; one on each side of the tank where the enclosure would mount. Then he would just place the enclosure and attach with the strap. We just checked the drain cups as we would - either enclosure was easy to get at and remove. The foam was a rigid type - just cleaned off in sink with warm water.