Herbie Help

[duncangweller]

I don't run an ATO. My return section in the sump fluctuates quite a lot as I am so busy sometimes I let it get too low. I'll keep an eye on that and try to keep the level more stable and see how that influences things.

Thanks for all your input. It is very much appreciated.

Dunc

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[neoh]

I would also consider a durso mod for the splashing and silence.

[Skimmin]

A couple things to try.
Where is your gate valve located? Depending on the location it can potentially trap air and cause throttling issues
Try a different return pump. You could have a bad pump that is fluctuating how much flow is going into the tank.
Try a different valve. I personally had a pvc gate that I could not keep a constant level with. I switched to a true unoin ball valve and never had another issue.
Does your drain run vertically into the sump or is it horizontally offset? Large or too level of an offset can trap air causing fluctuation in the siphon.
Can you put up a couple more pics of the plumbing as it leaves the bottom of the overflow box and enters the sump. I think your issue is more likely drain related vs pump related

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by duncangweller

I don't run an ATO. My return section in the sump fluctuates quite a lot as I am so busy sometimes I let it get too low

Oh
That'll be your problem right there

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Oh
That'll be your problem right there

Yup guaranteed

[Skimmin]

I never ran an ato either. The height of your drain comparment staying the same is more critical then return. Unless the pump begins to suck air. The weight of 4-6 inches of water varying in your return compartment is minimal @ 0.433lbs/ft but anything is possible. One more thing. Installing a valve on the outlet of your pump and throttling slightly will give a more constant flow rate too. If the pump is being held back by a valve the level fluctuation will cause less of a change in the flow rate of the pump. That is if you have a return pump with enough extra flow to throttle it.

[duncangweller]

When its tuned and how I like the thing is silent. It just gets noisy when the level fluctuates. I have thought of throttling back my pump but my gate valve isn't very open in order to maintain a siphon so I never bothered.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[spit.fire]

why not just put an ato on it?

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by spit.fire

why not just put an ato on it?

Or at the extreme least, put a drip on it

Seriously though, if you can't afford the money or time right now for an ATO, you could setup a small jug with say something such as a drip per second until you sort stuff out
And if you're concerned about too much freshwater, just use a 1G jug to start with -like a plastic milk jug. At least it's something you could re-fill daily and not worry about over-dripping, if you know your daily usage ...

Do something man, for silence's sake, and to save the splashed wall and noise

Or you could always go sleep with the dogs ....

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by duncangweller

When its tuned and how I like the thing is silent. It just gets noisy when the level fluctuates. I have thought of throttling back my pump but my gate valve isn't very open in order to maintain a siphon so I never bothered.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Fluctuations in the return chamber create fluctuations in how the pump operates , this then leads to fluctuations in the overflow , the gatevalve is set based on the pumps running condition so any fluctuations on how it operates is derectly linked to your herbie oveflow , It is very common in herbie set ups

Throttling back the pump won't do anything as its not the speed of the pump but the consistency it's running at.