Need help with noise control

Hey all,
Setting up a small grow (4 plants in a 5 gallon "bubble bucket") in my closet. Problem: the space between my floor and the ceiling of the neighbors living under me has very poor sound insulation. I conducted a two day test run of my whole system and learned that my pump (38 liters/minute) and blower (265 cfm) generate a disruptive amount of noise, mostly vibrational, that my neighbors aren't too keen on tolerating. Do you have any specific suggestions for soundproofing my space? With the blower I suppose most of the proofing would involve mounting it with/against the right materials and in the spot; not sure how to approach this specifically, though. Initially it was mounted on a wood shelf. As far as the pump, I'm really not sure what to do; it's a surprisingly noisy little machine but it gets the job done so well! Perhaps I could construct some sort of insulated box for it? Or just wrap it in something? It's currently suspended from a bar but that hasn't helped much. Maybe I should lay down some insulation on the floor? If so, what kind? Any ideas you could pass my way would be immensely appreciated. Please let me know if I can provide any pictures/more info so that you can answer better. Thanks for your help!

to keep fans quite try hanging them buy bungies for your pump try using thick rubber spacers under pump to stop vibration . good luck with your neighbors.

they also sell mufflers for you fans at hydroshops every where. They work great...check em out

Thanks for the advice guys. Looks like the venitilation won't be too challenging but the pump is so noisy that I think I'm gonna have to stick with dirt til I find a new place. It'll be much less maintenance I suppose, but I was really looking forward to giving hydro a shot. Maybe in my next place..

sdbud said:

to keep fans quite try hanging them buy bungies for your pump try using thick rubber spacers under pump to stop vibration . good luck with your neighbors.

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Ditto ^^^^^^
Concerning the pump...dude are u sure ur pump is 38L/minute???that would be a 2280L/h pump wich is waaaaayyyyyyyy to much....i use a 2 way 200L/h pump in a 25L tub and it´s more then enough, also u should put the pump above the tub (hanging by rubber bungees to)...no sound no vibration only huge amounts of air go through the hoses...

Hey Omega,
Here's a link to a description of the pump I currently have.
eBay Express: Eco Plus - Commercial grade Air 1 pump 18 watts
You're probably right about it being overkill. Could I expect substantially less noise, like almost inaudible, from a less powerful one? It would need to be really really quiet since I'd have to run it 24/7 (whereas I can get away with turning down the blower at night so the people under me can get a good night's rest). Any suggestions for a specific pump? It would only be for one 5 gallon bucket and maybe another 5 gallon bucket if I decide to keep the mother in water also, though I could just keep her in dirt.
Thanks again!

Lolll dude u´re trying to feed air to a shark tank or something....????No worries bro with less then 15$ u getur prob solved....u have 2 options
1 - order from a Hydro shop
2 - order from a petshop (one that sells fish and fishtanks)

something like this will do the job very well - Alternative Garden Supply - Hydroponics & Indoor Gardening Super Store...

check mine at work

that´s a dual outlet with 4" airstones...u wont bealive how much the plants grow in a DWC system ... 3 weeks in veg under 36w fluoros + 36w fluoros as side light

do u see the pump hanging???good she only come down to the top of the tub when i run out of height, noise!!!????= Zero

question on the air stones.. SWIM used air stones in his ebb&flo. the air stones broke apart like they were eaten away by the chem.. what gives? now SWIM put a bunch of holes inth erubber tubing to create the similar effect of the air stone without the blue stuff in the chems

nightfun said:

question on the air stones.. SWIM used air stones in his ebb&flo. the air stones broke apart like they were eaten away by the chem.. what gives? now SWIM put a bunch of holes inth erubber tubing to create the similar effect of the air stone without the blue stuff in the chems

Click to expand...

next time instead of airstones use plastic sprayers, but anyway if the nutes used in the water solution contain chems strong enough to "chew" the airstones imagine what will it to to the plants and to ur lungs after u smoke.....i never had probs with airstones (i keep them clean), when they break get new ones.

Omega,
I think you have resuscitated my hydro plans! There's a pet store in my town that sells the Tetra Whisper pumps so I'll pick one up and give it a shot! The Which model do you think would be appropriate for one 5 gallon bucket (12, 20, 40, 60, or 100)? What about two 5 gallon buckets?
Also, here's a link to the diffuser I have:
Micro-Pore Air Diffusers from 4 hydroponics.com by Growco Indoor Garden Supply
Thanks again for all your help!

If u can afford it use the 100L/h one for each tub, if u decide to use the diffusers make sure that the airstones are smaller then the usual 1 line aplication ok?....Peace

Hey Omega,
Not quite sure what you mean. Say I'll use the 100L/H pump with the diffuser I already have. Will that be all right or since the pump has two outlets should I get another diffuser or airtsone? Thanks again!

If the pump has 2 outlets better, use each line with airstones....just have a look in my pics thats exactly what i´m using 1 pump with 2 outlets and 2x4" airstones....that little gadget along with the nutes in the water and some fluoro tubes kicks ass....