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Help with return vibration

Hallowhead

NJRC Member
Howdy,

I am trying to reduce the vibration on my return line! Not pictured but in the back above the union there is a pipe clamp that keeps the pipe in place against a 2x4. So it's not rattling above that union. When I hold the diagonal pump it gets MUCH quieter, however, not silent. When I have the pump in a 5 gallon bucket it's silent - that is what I am trying to achieve. I was told that a short piece of vinyl tubing will help which i've ordered the parts to try this. It makes me nervous though because I have to change up the plumbing. To avoid cutting and re gluing I am going to get another union and just have two options hard plumbed or vinyl. I am looking for other ways to silence the pump! Any thoughts or ideas are welcome.

img_20190630_195352-jpg.1116852
 

myrjon

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
grab a rubber pot holder a cooking .pot holder that's really really spongy and I put that underneath the return pump. it quieted down a whole lot.
 

myrjon

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
No it is a flexible pot rest .never had a problem.I believe it was a pampered chef item. Don't tell my. Wife I borrowed it.....
 
Personally. Noise or no noise you should not connect hard pipe directly to a pump. It’s just bad practice. You should definitely make a transition from hard to Soft to reduce vibration to the plumbing. In extreme cases a bad vibration can even crack your glass. A soft transition will prevent that and yes has the added benefit of reducing noise.
 

David@wegetkraken

Area Local Reef Club
Howdy,

I am trying to reduce the vibration on my return line! Not pictured but in the back above the union there is a pipe clamp that keeps the pipe in place against a 2x4. So it's not rattling above that union. When I hold the diagonal pump it gets MUCH quieter, however, not silent. When I have the pump in a 5 gallon bucket it's silent - that is what I am trying to achieve. I was told that a short piece of vinyl tubing will help which i've ordered the parts to try this. It makes me nervous though because I have to change up the plumbing. To avoid cutting and re gluing I am going to get another union and just have two options hard plumbed or vinyl. I am looking for other ways to silence the pump! Any thoughts or ideas are welcome.

img_20190630_195352-jpg.1116852
Black vinyl MAY work and will prevent any algae growth, but if you're going through the trouble of replumbing it anyhow I'd use a short piece of silicone tubing. If you're close by and let me know the size I may even have a short section.
 

Trio91

Administrator
Staff member
Moderator
Definitely a piece of vinyl on the return pump will help damper the vibration and noise. You can also add a small piece of medium grade sponge for underneath the return pump for some extra support.
 

Hallowhead

NJRC Member
Black vinyl MAY work and will prevent any algae growth, but if you're going through the trouble of replumbing it anyhow I'd use a short piece of silicone tubing. If you're close by and let me know the size I may even have a short section.
North Jersey - it's 1" plumbing with 3/4" inch Barb so if you have 3/4" ID
 

Hallowhead

NJRC Member
Definitely a piece of vinyl on the return pump will help damper the vibration and noise. You can also add a small piece of medium grade sponge for underneath the return pump for some extra support.
Everyone keeps mentioning sponges! Can someone link me to one or an example
 

Trio91

Administrator
Staff member
Moderator
342003.jpg

Any type really, doesn't have to be this one but check petco/petsmart and you can definitely find something
 
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