Can somebody help w/ herbie style overflow?

[jerrodm]

I am really new to the hobby, I don't have a tank set up yet, but what I do have is a 40 Gal Breeder with a overflow box with two 1" bulkheads. On the inside of the overflow I have two 90 degree elbows. I want to make one pipe be a siphon being controlled with a ball valve to go to my 20L sump underneath and the second 1" drain to be turned more upwards to be used as an emergancy line.
Question is - How exactly to I set it up to create a siphon? I am going to use a Tee fitting just outside the emergency drain to allow air into the line, but I have no idea on how to create the initial syphon in the main drain. How do I get rid of air in the line when the water level rises in the overflow box to get the siphon initiated? I haven't plumbed anything yet, just getting ideas on what I'll need when I go to pick up my PVC. Thanks!

 

[RDuhb]

I had the same question when I set up my Herbie. I have two runs from my internal overflow box to my sump; the emergency overflow and main siphon, upturned and downturned elbow respectively. When my overflow box fills with water the emergengy drain comes online unitil air is purged from the main drain, which is usually around 10 seconds. I have a gate valve on the main line to regulate flow. There's no need for you to add a Tee. I recommend making the runs to your sump as short as possible and avoid horizontal runs if possible. Here is a link to my setup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLnzIkWR91U

 

[jerrodm]

Outstanding advice and your overflow looks just like mine, the only difference is mine has teeth cut into the box for surface skimming, but looking at yours, seems like it wasn't all that necessary, your surface skims really nicely on your tank! I already have watched all your videos and your tank is looking awesome! Thanks for your help and keep up the updates, I already sub'd to your channel

 

[RDuhb]

Thanks! I decided against the teeth because I wasn't confident I could cut them right and I didn't want to waste my acrylic. Plus I read somewhere that you get better surface skimming without them. So far, everything is working great! I'm sure your system will be awesome. Remember...RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!!!

 

[jerrodm]

Definitely, I have read so much stuff and the guys at my LFS think I'll be fine. The good (yet frustrating) thing is that everything is so expensive that I get a lot of time to research and save before I buy one thing at a time. I have so many things on my wishlist it's crazy! Thanks again for your help!

 

[sleepydoc]

First - I wouldn't bother with teeth, for the reasons you stated. unless you have a tight cover, critters will still get over them, the cut the flow rate and potentially make more noise by causing more turbulence.

Regarding the Herbie, first, use a gate valve, not a ball valve. You need to be able to make fine adjustments to the flow and a ball valve doesn't allow this. The 'siphon' should start automatically after a period of adjustment.

Are you adding the Tee to the emergency or the main drain and why? Neither of them should need one. The emergency will automatically be able to entrain air if it's an up-turned 90º elbow. If it's not, it means the flow is to much for it to handle and an additional Tee isn't going to help it, other than creating a place for water to leak out.

 

[RDuhb]

Definitely, I have read so much stuff and the guys at my LFS think I'll be fine. The good (yet frustrating) thing is that everything is so expensive that I get a lot of time to research and save before I buy one thing at a time. I have so many things on my wishlist it's crazy! Thanks again for your help!

You'll definitely be fine! Just take your time. I officially started this adventure August 2012. I didn't put my first fish in the tank until March 2013. I know, LONG TIME, but it allowed me time to learn a lot and save money for the right equipment. Don't hesitate to contact me via youtube if you have any questions about my set up.