this overflow has issues!

I hate the marineland stock overflow!
This thing will not be quiet, let alone retain a constant level --> sucks in the water too fast, then air gets in, causes the toilet to flush, then as the pump catches up, the water level yet again raises and cycle starts over again!

ugh anyone know how to fix this horribly engineered marineland stock overflow?

 

Bigger air inlet hole

 

so the size of air intake will be a function of the flow?

 

yes. on my old tank, the hole in teh durso would clog with salt creep and it would start flushing. I made some Hofer Gurgle Busters this time. work like a fraking charm on my 180

 

My marineland overflow sounds like niagra falls in my house. in the next week or 2 im goin to switch it to the herbie overflow. ive heard some good things about it.

 

Get some air tubing and put that in the middle of the hole with the other end hanging near the ground. The noise will travel through that exceptionally well. You have to find the sweet spot! Also what I did was made a styrofoam cutout of the external box and fit that right on top with a hole for the tube. Completely silent. It's cheapo and easy to do.

 

alright did that and it is finally fixed... now i have problems with microbubbles and big gurgling bubbles in the sump! ugh ive never had such a problematic overflow

 

I know alot of the noise and"flushing" effect can be fixed with an in line valve. You have to adjust to tune it just right and much of the noise will go away. Many overflow systems just let the water flow over with no restrictions. You can't tune the output with the input without a valve.

 

I usually use the return pump to adjust the overflow rate. If the pump runs a higher rate, so does the overflow. I had a noise problem on mine even the line didn't stop, so I cut back the return pump bit by bit and found the sweet spot.

I wouldn't tune down the overflow. Since ball valves restrict the flow, it's easier for a snail or critter to clog the line. Once that happens you will probably have a wet floor.

 

if i turn down the return that will mean less flow overall through sump... not necessarily a bad thing. Will this reduce my microbubbles from the overflow also?