does vibration/noise bother marine life?

[914]

here's why i ask....

i've got a pump (little giant MD4) set up inside the canopy of a 29 (the antique tank) on a closed loop.

there's nothing in the tank (fresh-water shakedown cruise) but i note that there's a distinct 'hum' in the tank.

it's really not all that loud, if you touch the side of the tank you can feel it, so it's fairly low-frequency, but obviously pretty high amplitude.


the question(s):

1) will this bother the animals?

1a) fish have the lateral line organ, is this related?

1b) inverts do not, i imagine corals/anemone etc would never notice the noise, but how about the arthopods?

2) how does this relate to the noise level of an actual reef? certainly the surge zone must be pretty noisy... but not a hum, either.

3) Is there a way to alleviate it? i've got the pump mounted on vinyl tubing (for isolation) but it's not all that effective, apparently. i guess i'll try resting it on a sponge next..

3a) any recommendations on quiet/vibration-free external pumps?

thanks everyone!

 

[scooterr]

1) will this bother the animals?
IT shouldn't

1a) fish have the lateral line organ, is this related?
Yea. I don't know much about it but here's what i know. While diving if you move your fins quickly all the fish in the visinity (even the ones that can't see you) know about it and either swim awy or hide. If you move slowly and steadily this problem is fixed. I don't know why powerheads or other things don't bother them though.
1b) inverts do not, i imagine corals/anemone etc would never notice the noise, but how about the arthopods?
I don't think they'd care.

2) how does this relate to the noise level of an actual reef? certainly the surge zone must be pretty noisy... but not a hum, either.
Um, reefs aren't very noisey. Very few fish and inverts can make noises. If you are where waves are crashing upon things then it's audible.

3) Is there a way to alleviate it? i've got the pump mounted on vinyl tubing (for isolation) but it's not all that effective, apparently. i guess i'll try resting it on a sponge next..
Not sure. Try the sponge.

3a) any recommendations on quiet/vibration-free external pumps?
Everyone seems to love the iwaki pumps. I think it's more a problem of the pumps location/ surroundings. I have a Little giant that is bearly audible. It doesn't give any vibrations though.

thanks everyone!

No problem, Hope i at least helped somewhat.

[ March 09, 2002: Message edited by: scooterr ]</p>

 

[esmithiii]

Why not move the pump to the floor? You will loose almost no flow since it is a closed loop.

Ernie

 

[Jeff Hood]

As far as noise in the ocean, there is a lot of it. Depending on where you are, listen while holding your breath. There are tons of high frequency clicks and popping from crustations and from fish nibbling on the rock below. A single fish or crab, shrimp doesen't sound like much but millions do. When diving in Hawaii I heard Humpback whales singing under water. Now that was loud. You could feel the low pitch vibration in your chest like someone was thumping you. Very cool. sounded like they were right next to you. Kind of eery.

I doubt a steady hum will bother them at all, infact a completly silent tank would IMO be more of a problem because the fish would be bothered or startled by sudden abrupt sounds more easily if completly quiet.

Background noise is good.

Jeff

 

[Anonymous]

I agree completely with Jeff.

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>originally posted by scooterr
Very few fish and inverts can make noises.<hr></blockquote>

This is incorrect. A great majority of fish and invertebrates make audible noise and "vocalization", both consciously and unconsciously.

 

[914]

esmithii: i would, except that the tank is on an island-counter between my kitchen and living room (this is an apt), and there's no place to conceal the plumbing.

the idea here is that the tank is viewable from all 4 sides, there is no 'back' and i want to minimize the extraneous stuff.

therefore, all the plumbing is inside the hood, as well as the lights and their ballast (2x96w PC, CSL smarlights)

so far, heat isn't a problem.... even though all the plumbing runs above the bulbs. the ballast is only warm to touch, but the pump is almost hot, very very warm.

thanks for the responses... the pump is old, and seems quite noisy to my ear... i'll probably replace it, but maybe not yet.