Beananimal overflow diagram? PVC placement..

[Reefahholic]

I recently saw a post about his fail-safe overflow design. I really liked his idea and the guy seems to be a master with reef systems.

I would really like to see his blueprints/ diagram on paper. I'm still confused about what's mandatory to have coming in and going out of the drilled holes in a tank (overflow, ER overflow, return, standpipe, etc. What is standard?

Also, how do you guys figure out equipment placement of all equipment in sump. Is there a best way to do it? Looks like it varies from tank to tank with personal preference. However, just figured somebody could educate me on the most popular ways of doing sump and PVC placement. :-(

 

[Vandal996]

I would lime to see the same. The pics get a little confusing. I have looked and found no drawings.

 

[Reefahholic]

nice setup

nice setup

Props to who built this tank and took the pic. I can actually see what's going on in this pic...

Now if the darn thing was labeled, I would feel like I knew a few things..:hammer::idea:

I just need to know how most of you folks do your tanks. I know some people go to the extreme, but I'm only doing a general 125/g (72x18x22) with RO/DI and the normal stuff. Once I figure out where the PVC goes and placement of all equipment in sump, I'll be golden...I think!??:rolleye1:

Ha...yeah right...I love this hobbie, always a challenge!:clown:

 

[Reefahholic]

Like this diagram, I can tell a little about what's going on, but the skimmer looks to be outside the sump. I know most keep inside the sump. So, I'm really not sure what's better. I understand about overflow box preference, but things like this confuse me a little. Also, like where to drill on my tank has me nervous. I don't want to make any mistakes..like drilling too low, high, big, small, wide, etc.

 

[Reefahholic]

Anybody have any good product names like...blue line, tunze, etc..

And....what equipment to order from them?

 

[1st timer]

Well as I understand it, where, in relation to top, and how far apart you drill is relative to your bulkhead size. Placement in general will be determined by sump size, where it is under tank, ie left, right, center.. as I understand keeping your drains straight is optimum could be wrong tho.
In that last diagram you posted, it would appear that that skimmer wouldn't fit in the sump so was either external or in another plumbed tank adjoining. If you already have a skimmer you like, design sump to accommodate it as far as water levels and such, as well as space to remove cup and/or whole unit for cleaning.
I will be getting a used 58 or so after new year, and will be drilling it or my 40 breeder for the bean design as well.
Hope I was of a little help.

 

[tsharp90]

Does this help?
http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx

 

[scott26]

If you really want to understand his concept you need to read the thread if you don't have time to read the 160 pages then you can just read the first 5-10 pages after that it is just that same stuff with a different way of organizing it.

 

[Blown76mav]

I'm using a modified Beananimal, super quiet and no problems.

First one on the left is the emergency overflow, middle is the drain, and the right end will go to full siphon if the middle one gets clogged shut.

 

[jasoncw]

For the sump, try here:

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sumps, Part I of III

There are links at the bottom to go to parts II and III.

Here's also another great site discussing sumps and the various designs of them: Melev's Reef.

There are many different ways to configure your setup, so the best thing to do is read, read, read some more, then design your own setup using the various methods you read about. Good luck!

 

[vorm]

I am also looking at doing a modded beananimal design for my setup. The difference being just using having two drains rather than 3 by basically leaving out the 2nd fail-over drain and just having one full siphon and one emergency (dry) drain. Anyone know if any problems doing it that way? Also what's the propose of putting the T's on the bulkheads rather than just elbows since they are capped anyway? The only thing I can come up with is to be able to access the pipes if needed, but I was planning on putting unions back there so I can take the whole thing apart if needed, like if one got clogged. Am I missing something?

 

[Vandal996]

Does this help?
http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx

It sure does. Thanks a bunch.

 

[reefermad619]

I am also looking at doing a modded beananimal design for my setup. The difference being just using having two drains rather than 3 by basically leaving out the 2nd fail-over drain and just having one full siphon and one emergency (dry) drain. Anyone know if any problems doing it that way? Also what's the propose of putting the T's on the bulkheads rather than just elbows since they are capped anyway? The only thing I can come up with is to be able to access the pipes if needed, but I was planning on putting unions back there so I can take the whole thing apart if needed, like if one got clogged. Am I missing something?

What your talking about is called a herbie drain. The bean specifically runs 3 drains. If you take the time to read the bean thread, any and all questions will be answered. People post what did and didn't work, how they found ways to make the systems work better for their individual needs, and there are also pics of peoples systems. Trust me. Is a long read, but well worth it. I read the whole thread an picked what I thought would work for me. From all the info I gathered, my system ran perfectly!

 

[Reefahholic]

Guys I sure appreciate all the info you provided! It really helps to have vetrans who have been at it for a while point you in the right direction. Thanks!

I'm at work, but off for the next 3 days and will be digging in again for 10 hrs a night trying to figure all this out. Thanks again!
:smurf: