Aquarium Noise Nightmare

[wattsupdoc]

To eliminate the sloshing sound from the OF's. Replace the durso's with a stockman type standpipe. But instead of using the cap on the top, just leave the reducing bushing open. Then, get a small piece of acrylic and cut it to fit the top of the pipe. Use a gasket of some sort to go on top of the stockman, and drill some small holes in it. This will allow the air to come in, muffle the sound of the stockman and let yo open it up to clean it from time to time. Then extend the stockman up so as to just allow the water to fall slightly below the teeth or top of OF. Of course you could probably mod the durso to do this also.
---please remove the wood from the water column...
Now for the sump, as stated you need the air exchange in the sump.
1.You could insulate the entire area under the stand if you can provide fresh air under there. A large computer fan (radio shack 120 volt jobber)mounted inside the stand drawing fresh air in will do this. Cut the insulation and use some that is strong enough to hold the fan.You can use a piece of 1/4 plywood as opposed to or in conjunction with the insulation board. Cut the entire opening(for the intake of the fan) out so the fan can run unabstructed. Do this in the back panel. Mount the fan to it. Pick up a cord to make a plug with and connect it to the fan. Plug her in and let it go. I imagine you will get even better air flow to the sump this way and probably eliminate all the sound from the sump. Well, maybe you'll here the fan now. But it shouldn't be very loud.
2. The pipe(s) which extends into the compartment should extend into it no more than 2-3 inches. This should have several large holes drilled or cut into it just below(bout 1/2in the water line. To the end of it. This will help prevent back pressure, as well as quiten the flow to it down, but not entirely.
--- DO NOT insulate directly around the pump.Period.

You might want to be sure that any plumbing from the return pump is either not touching anything or is insulated to prevent vibration noises. You can look in the plumbing section at Lowes. They have some rubber mats there. they are red, come in two thicknesses, and are about 6in x 6in square. You can cut these to fasten to the plumbing wherever it contacts something. Glue them in place on the pipes and you wont have them falling off etc. Also that same pad can be used to insulate under the pump.