Bean-Animal system on a standard HOB overflow box?

[reefscape15]

This is also posted in the Upstate Reefs section, so don't be annoyed if you've seen it already.

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.

 

[fatrip]

what the hell is a bean animal??

 

[jacksonpt]

You're talking about using the inner box standard, having the water siphoned over the top into the outer box, where you'd have the bean setup?

In theory, yes it would work. I ran basically the bean system on my box but with only 2 drains (I didn't have the emergency open drain). It worked well for me. I see no reason why you couldn't add a third drain for the emergency line. The only potential problem I see is that you'd need a very wide external box. The siphon tube has to be under water at all times (on both ends) to maintain the siphon and start back up should the pump lose power/be turned off. So you need a part of your exterior box dedicated to that. Then you need room for all 3 drains. It could also be hard to keep silent (one of the big advantages to Bean's system), but I think with enough planning, you could do it.

The eshopps box I was using is ~11" wide and there is no way I could have gotten a 3rd drain in there.

As far as the drain sizes, it would depend on how much flow you wanted to push through the system. I ran a 1/2" drain at full siphon and had to dial it back about half way to keep it from pulling air. However, I was only sending about 750gph through my setup. A wide open 3/4" drain at full siphon will pull a huge GPH. Assuming this is for your 54 and that you're not talking obscene amounts of flow, I've got to think that 1/2" lines would work for you. 3/4" certainly would. If you've got the room, it can't hurt to overplumb for 3/4 or even 1"

 

[jacksonpt]

Oh, and for anyone who cares but doesn't already know about it...
Here is the link to Bean's design.

 

[reefscape15]

Sorry I forgot to post the link. Thanks for doing that Jackson. I was thinking about just doing it without the emergency drain, but I really like the idea of a pretty much flood-proof overflow. And yes, you are correct in that I'd want the inner box in the tank siphoning to the outer box where I'd have the bean setup in place. Thanks for the response! I have a bunch of 3/4" and 1" PVC from work so I'd prob use 1" for the drains and just close the ball valve some to get the flow where I wanted it. I want high velocity from my returns so I know I'll be using eductors on a split return, but I haven't decided on 3/4" or 1/2" returns. I'm planning on using a mag-5 for return, which will put out 500gph at 5'. I don't know if that will be enough to get much flow with a 3/4" return or not. I guess I can set up something temporary to test the flow before I plumb it into my tank

 

[jacksonpt]

The nice thing about Bean's setup is that you can dial back the full siphon drain as far as necessary based on your flow. So there really is no such thing as over plumbing it, as long as you have room for the PVC behind/under your tank.

If you go with the 2 drain setup (no emergency drain), you'll have the exact same setup I ran on my tank. It does work very well, and if you over plumb it like you're talking about, it'll be that much safer as the larger pipes can handle more water should one become restricted somehow. Just make sure you run the air line out of the second (open) drain so it becomes full siphon if the water level in your outer box rises too high. I had that kick in a few times and it's pretty crucial to the setup, especially if you're not running the 3rd emergency drain.