Confusion on herbie set-up

[Indigoblue12]

I am a new reef keeper .. Have not
Done the plumbing on my tank yet.
Still investigating the options.

I was going to run the standard reef ready
Marineland design with their overflow into
A single drain and a single return ..

I have read articles on a herbie overflow
System.. I'm a little confused with the set-up
I have read to use my standard Durso stand
Pipe as a emergency drain and to then use
A straight standpipe 6" under my emergency
Drain (standard Durso pipe)

What I am confused about is let say your return
Pump goes out.. If you run a straight return pipe
6" under the Durso, won't the tank drain and flood
My sump??? I mean if you have a short full action drain
Pipe like the pic below and the return dies I would think
Your tank would drain halfway and flood the house..

Please correct me and explain how this works
And what you do when you make a water change.

 

[robert s b.]

It will only drain what's inside your overflow, unless your overflow is really low :/

 

[Indigoblue12]

Ok .... God that was a stupid question now I think of it
You have to forgive me I'm new lol!!!

 

[d2mini]

Ok .... God that was a stupid question now I think of it
You have to forgive me I'm new lol!!!

Much better to ask a question than flood your house.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

There are no stupid questions - only stupid answers!

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Read this for more information:
http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/

 

[Indymann99]

+1 on you need to read up more on Herbie design...

1. the Emergency / Backup drain needs to be equal or LARGER than the primary drain. (i.e. if your primary drain is 1" your emergency drain needs to be 1")

2. don't use the elbow on the emergency drain... if water is flowing in the emergency drain you WANT it to be noisy so you know the primary drain has failed and needs attention....