Overflow Question
 

Ok, so I finished my HOB sump and got it running last night. The plan was that a maxijet 1200 in the tank would, via an overflow pipe I made, skim water from the surface and pump it up and out to the sump.

Problem is, it makes a horrible sucking noise. I don't have the space to do a Herbie.

I'm thinking I might start drilling 1/8" holes in the vertical section of pipe between the maxijet intake and the surface to reduce the suction at the surface. Currently, I just took the overflow pipe off and it works well but I really want to skim the surface to avoid a film.

Anyone tried this ? Am I likely wasting my time ?

Personally, I would get the pump in farther, no need to skim surface... Over time, the cleaner the water, no skum on surface and also as long as you agitate the surface of the water it also helps to remove from surface and then particles in water column can be sucked up or they settle.