Help! Durso, Bean, Herbie- i dont know

[deansreef]

http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/

 

[daplatapus]

That's a great link. I didn't read all the way through it, but I did notice that some of their little animations and drawings have ball valves on the siphon. Let me save you a ton of time and head ache... Don't even try it. Spend the extra couple bucks on the gate valve. The chances of getting a ball valve to balance your system is much, much harder than with a gate valve. In a system like mine with a fish room 12' lower than my tank...almost (if not) impossible.

 

[deansreef]

thanks daplatapus

 

[CuzzA]

I'd run a herbie drain, use 1 hole for a return and the other for electrical wires and call it good. Looks like it will be a great tank. I'd love to have an island cube in my house, but for me it was either a large cube or the pool table. Pool table won and my tank is against the wall.

 

[marty9876]

Why is that?

I run a BA thru the bottom of an external OF, which is just about the same as the OP's OF. Works great.

If you don't want to do any drilling, I'd stay with a Herbie. It is less safe and not as forgiving with adjustments but does work good. The other holes I'd use for a return and a chase for wires to the power heads.

If you could put more holes in, I'd expand one to match the other two and go BA. Then if you are really into it do a center hole for wire chase. Consult with 'Floyd R Turbo' to see if this is safe.

Will it be visible from all sides? It's a cool tank and should look beautiful.

I just read your other thread. If it's still at the builder, ask them about the possibilities.

Key point here is running a Bean though the bottom of the *tank*, not an external overflow. While technically it would work you end up with a bunch of plumbing over the plane of the top of the overflow box- looks like crap. By the time you drop all the tops of the elbows down to the same level of the overflow box the water falls such a distance that it's no longer 'silent'.

The input of a Bean is far lower than the structure needed for a Bean. This, in my experience, doesn't work well with a in tank overflow (bottom tower)

 

[deansreef]

I have made " my final decision" on the overflow- is going to be a Herbie. thanks to everyone