A few tips for sound-proofing your stand

[M.E.Milz]

I recently set up my new tank. Because I live in a condo, all of my pumps, etc., had to be located inside the stand beneath the tank. I have a Dolphin 3000, Dolphin 4500, and 2x Iwaki 40RXLT pumps. I also have about 2500 gph running through my sump. The noise from all of this was deafening.

After researching various options for reducing the noise, I came across sound absorption foam panels made by a company called Sonex. I bought 32 square feet of their Sonex Juniors (it comes in 2'x2' squares). A box of 4 panles (16 sqaure feet) cost me $55, plus shipping. The stuff is easy to cut and glues to the inside of my stand using regular construction adhesive. I covered most of the interior surfaces, including the inside top surface.

The difference in the noise was incredible. I would guess that it cut down on the noise by at least 80%, even though I also added 24x 1.25" vent holes along the top of the stand (for venting heat from the stand) through which at least some sound escapes. I still have a few more things to do, such as enclosing the back of the stand and baffling the vent holes, so I may be able to almost completely eliminate the noise.

I thought that this info might be helpful for anyone who is trying to quite down the noise of pumps, water flow, etc, inside their stand. I hope it helps.

Mike

 

[Len]

I'll second the recommendation for Sonex. I've used to for audio applications (same material used for recording studios) and it works ... infinitely better then conventional foam. Downside is it's much pricier then foam. But if noise is an issue - and when is it not? - this stuff works.

 

[Len]

BTW, this is where I bought mine: http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/produ ... c%20Panels

I'm sure there are cheaper prices elsewhere, so shop around (and report em here )

 

[liquid]

Any pics of this stuff? I'm working on my new stand this week.

Shane

 

[liquid]

Doh, posted right at the same time Len was working on his response.

Shane

 

[Len]

hehe. Click on my link and you'll see pics to the stuff. It's effective, clean, easy to cut, lightweight, and fireproof ... perfect for cabinent installations. Keep in mind, it's 2" thick. So make allowances for this extra depth.

 

[M.E.Milz]

The 2" depth was not a problem for me. My stand is a 2" tubular steel frame that I then covered with plywood. This left a 2" gap on the inside of the plywood in between the steel tubes. The foam filled the space between the tubes.

A quick note. This stuff is designed to absorb sound waves. So you want to place it where ever you think sound waves will hit or bounce. For example, if the back of your stand will be open, then I would suggest placing the foam on the wall behind the stand so as to absorb the sound waves and keep them from reflecting off the wall and into the room. This is also why I placed the foam on the upper inside of the stand - to keep sound waves from bouncing off this surface and out through any openings in the stand.

 

[SPC]

Thanks Mike, I am sure that info will come in handy down the road .
Steve

 

[flameangel1]

Very interesting product.
What is the consensus of those of you who have it, as to it cutting down the noise level in a room (with umpteen pumps/fans/water noise etc),
by using it on the walls behind the tanks?? (to many tanks to use in cabinets.)

Does it absorb humidity ??

 

[Len]

I personally haven't installed any in my cabinent (due to my laziness), but I'll probably give it a shot this weekend. However, I know for a fact that these sound absorbers work well to reduce noise levels. I have used them for audio applications with great success. They are infinitely better then conventional foam or other cheapo insulation material.

Don't know about humidity, but I would guess it will not be a problem. Cleaning them, however, might be a pain (or impossible).

 

[M.E.Milz]

The spec sheet claims to not absorb moisture. I just installed them this weekend, so I can't verify the claim. But the material does not seem like it would absorb moisture.

BTW, I did not cover every inch of the inside with these foam panels. For example, I didn't use it right next to the pumps because the pumps do get pretty hot. I also ran out of the stuff, so I couldn't cover the all of the back or all of the upper inside. But what I did cover seems to be enough. I may nevertheless order some more just to fill in the gaps if I decide to try and make the stand completely soundproof.

Also, my first attempt at sound-proofing was to use styrofoam (polystyrene) panels. It had very little impact. Although it did keep the inside of my stand nice and hot. 8O

 

[camp6]

i used to do mobile audio and recemmend using Dyno-Mat. its easily installed, as it is self adhesive. easy to cut to the size you need, and can be found at just about any car audio shop. just make sure you get the new style and not the old style.

 

[Dean]

Hi Mike,

where did you but yours from, was in online? Leonard's place has itr for $75 for 4 Id love to get it for $55 if I can

Dean

 

[Marcosreef]

i used to do mobile audio and recemmend using Dyno-Mat. its easily installed, as it is self adhesive. easy to cut to the size you need, and can be found at just about any car audio shop. just make sure you get the new style and not the old style.

I think Dyna-Mat is more for reducing resonances and sound deadening than for sound proofing.

Marco

 

[M.E.Milz]

Hi Mike,

where did you but yours from, was in online? Leonard's place has itr for $75 for 4 Id love to get it for $55 if I can

Dean

Talk to Bill at Weitzenkorn & Associates. {www.whw.home.texas.net/}

 

[Dean]

Thanks Mike!

 

[clyde]

*BINGO*

that what it does in my car, lessens vibrations on loose panels, anf makes your door sound like ' THUMP ' than a foreign car sounding "TWANG" when you close it

i used to do mobile audio and recemmend using Dyno-Mat. its easily installed, as it is self adhesive. easy to cut to the size you need, and can be found at just about any car audio shop. just make sure you get the new style and not the old style.

I think Dyna-Mat is more for reducing resonances and sound deadening than for sound proofing.

Marco

 

[M.E.Milz]

*BINGO*

that what it does in my car, lessens vibrations on loose panels, anf makes your door sound like ' THUMP ' than a foreign car sounding "TWANG" when you close it

i used to do mobile audio and recemmend using Dyno-Mat. its easily installed, as it is self adhesive. easy to cut to the size you need, and can be found at just about any car audio shop. just make sure you get the new style and not the old style.

I think Dyna-Mat is more for reducing resonances and sound deadening than for sound proofing.

Marco

I don't know anything about those types of panels. But they might be very similar to what I used. The purpose of the Sonex panels I used was primarily to absord sound waves, not form a barrior to prevent sound from passing through the wall of the stand. The plywood and slate were sufficient to block most of the sound. However, the Sonex panels prevent sound waves from bouncing around the stand and migrating out through the back and other openings. It works because even when I open the doors to the stand, and am standing right in front of the pumps, they are not nearly as loud as before I added the Sonex panels.

BTW, Sonex does make panels that are designed to act a sound barriors. The ones I look at were composite panels of 2-3 different types of foam materials. The name was something like ProSpec Composite. They would probably work even better, but they cost twice as much (somethig like $60 per 2'x4' panel). If you were going for absolute silence, and didn't mind the cost, then these might be the best bet.

 

[Len]

I use Dynamat (original) below my return pumps. I've found dynamat is relatively capable of absorbing lower sound and vibration, but not very good at absorbing higher frequency sound (including pump resonance). Sonex (and other panel absorbers like RPG) do that task very well.

If you want to increase the effectiveness of the sonex, you can stack them. However, remember they're 2" think per panel, so it's gonna eat up a good deal of room.

 

[SPC]

Len, the sound problem I am having is coming from the pvc pipe return from my pump. My return pump is located in another room so any noise it makes is of no concern, however a hum can be heard in the room where the tank is located because of the transfer of the sound through the pvc. Would one of these products be able to solve this problem? BTW, if I were to place one of these under my pump it would have to be very thin, my sump is drilled for the pump to sit on the floor.
Steve