Bean-Animal system on a standard HOB overflow box?

[reefscape15]

I posted this all over RC and didn't really get any feedback, but what do you guys think? I'd like to use an overflow box that's at least 10" wide, and set up a Bean Animal drain system on it. Anybody tried this system before? Anybody know if it would work with a HOB overflow? Could I use 1" or 3/4" standpipes instead of the 1.5" like Bean Animal used on his setup? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[dreaminmel]

This is the system you're referring to right?

Link

I was very curious about it and quite honestly almost went this route when I relocated my tank. Ended up going with a glass-holes overflow instead only because I was limited to 18" of spacing to work with by deciding to drill the side panel.

If I'm remembering correctly people that thought of doing that with an external overflow had to carefully design the supports and it also involves changing a few aspects of the general design. Also, from what I read there were mixed reviews from people that tried using smaller drains. Some said it was fine while others found the drains to end up being a bit noisy.

I'm sure the design can be tweaked but if I had gone through with it on my tank I was planning to follow the design without adjustment. Definately curious if anyone else here has any experience with these.

 

[cardiffgiant]

I use the beananimal overflow. It's unbelievable how quiet it is.

That being said, while they don't have the same fail safes that the BA style has, the glass holes overflows are nearly as quiet and take up a lot less space in the tank.

I use the 1.5" pipes. The purpose of the larger diameter is for the water to be able to run down the sides with less friction, and not fill the pipe or crash down on itself (causing a gurgling and draining sound).

With the size of the intakes, and the velocity of the water going through the overflow, I would't recommend trying that design with a 10" wide box.

 

[reefscape15]

Thank you for your responses. Is the glass holes overflow something that has to be drilled through the tank, or is it HOB? Maybe a link to what you are referring to if you could find one. I have had a few talks about this setup with others, and I would try to get at least an overflow that's 18" wide. I'd be using 1" stand pipes instead of 1.5", and a Mag5 return which provides 500gph at 5'.

 

[Kent E]

That's an interesting system. I had something similar a while back but it was too complicated for me.

I've had good luck with over-sizing the pipe by a lot, as in 2" minimum, preferentially 3" with a very gradual slope and that seems to do it.

 

[Willistein]

I like the idea of "undersizing" the main suction line and still having the other two for additional flow and emergency flow. I would say build a prototype to try out how stable it is. You want to be able to vary your flow by +/-25% at least and still have it work.