Help With Overflow Plumbing on 93g Cube

[forddna]

I've got to plumb my 93g cube from scratch. I bought bulkheads already. Before I do this, I wanted to make sure I'm not missing out on any tips or tricks. And that I'm not about to mess it up lol

We have power outages a lot because we're up on a mountain, and all our power is aerial lines. So, preventing a flood is pretty important. Noise reduction would be second most important.

Please tell me how you plumbed your overflows, post pics, share mistakes made, etc. Thank you!!

 

[Bma1972]

Can you throw a picture up of your tank and sump? Where are the over flows? 1 or 2. ?You shouldn't have any flooding if your sump is big enough and your "anti siphon" is set up correct. Unless your using a hang on? Hopefully your power is going off for extended times?

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[Hal]

How many bulkheads do you have? I strongly recommend either the Herbie or Bean Animal depending on how many you have.

 

[forddna]

It is the factory corner overflow for a Marineland 93 cube. Ot is presently situated as the back left corner. The sump section for the water to go to will be directly below. The sump is a Trigger Systems Ruby 20 cube. It's 20x20 and approx 24g. When I get back to my computer, I'll post pics.

I just have the 2 bulkheads.

 

[forddna]

Basically, I have 2 holes in the back left with a cover and some bulkheads. I'm a complete newb when it comes to overflows. All my tanks have already been plumbed. Plus I've been out of the hobby for several years

 

[homer1475]

With only 2 holes you have 2 options. A durso standpipe(one pipe drains, one pipe returns), or a herbie setup(one pipe main siphon, and one pipe an emergency drain) with the returns over the top of the tank.

IMO, and I hate the look of the returns over the back, but the herbie setup is way quieter and safer then a single drain(durso).

Link to a herbie setup:
http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/

And a link to the differences in the 3 ways to setup an overflow:
http://gmacreef.com/aquarium-overflows-durso-herbie-and-bean-setups/

 

[forddna]

Thank you!! Reading through those now..

 

[Bma1972]

The Ruby is a great sump. When the pumps are off you should only have about a 3 gallon dump into your sump if you have your lowest point 1 inch below the in tank water level. As far as the noise, it will quite down after time, read up on silencers and anti siphoning. Ill send you the link if I can find it. I had a marine land rimmed 90 with the same set up. I like the 2 drains like Homer mentioned, way safer. And if you cab get the return on the opposite side of tank, you can get more surface water flowing to the over flow. Just remember not to have the return to drop into tank, that will also siphon back into sump.

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[forddna]

The Ruby is a great sump. When the pumps are off you should only have about a 3 gallon dump into your sump if you have your lowest point 1 inch below the in tank water level. As far as the noise, it will quite down after time, read up on silencers and anti siphoning. Ill send you the link if I can find it. I had a marine land rimmed 90 with the same set up. I like the 2 drains like Homer mentioned, way safer. And if you cab get the return on the opposite side of tank, you can get more surface water flowing to the over flow. Just remember not to have the return to drop into tank, that will also siphon back into sump.

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Thank you!! Hey, your last sentence, I'm not sure what you mean when you say "remember not to have the return to drop into tank.." ?

 

[Pelagic_e36]

He is referring to a back siphon. If your return line is below the water line in your DT and the return pump for some reason shuts off. The return line will siphon water from the DT into your sump. You can prevent this by drilling tiny holes above the water line in your DT to break the siphon, or have your return line just below the surface and making sure that the siphon would break before your sump overflows in case of a power outage.

 

[Pelagic_e36]

He is referring to a back siphon. If your return line is below the water line in your DT and the return pump for some reason shuts off. The return line will siphon water from the DT into your sump. You can prevent this by drilling tiny holes above the water line in your DT to break the siphon, or have your return line just below the surface and making sure that the siphon would break before your sump overflows in case of a power outage.

Drilling tiny holes in your return that is, not the tank just to clarify.

 

[hart24601]

I have a 60 cube marineland tank with overflow, I drilled a hole for 3/4" line a couple inches under the top in the overflow section. I then ran lockline out where the stock return lockline goes and set the 2 holes to be a herbie. It is silent running. I then painted the overflow corner black on the outside with flexi-dip (not shown in this pic) with black PVC from the return up the painted side. You don't even notice it. Worked fantastic.

 

[Bma1972]

Thank you!! Hey, your last sentence, I'm not sure what you mean when you say "remember not to have the return to drop into tank.." ?

Sorry for late reply... what pelagic said. The water will go down in DT to the lowest point to siphon out. For every inch your below that in your DT it's about 3 gallons. ( real rough guess). If it's within the same line of site as the overflow box your safe.(just an example)

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[forddna]

He is referring to a back siphon. If your return line is below the water line in your DT and the return pump for some reason shuts off. The return line will siphon water from the DT into your sump. You can prevent this by drilling tiny holes above the water line in your DT to break the siphon, or have your return line just below the surface and making sure that the siphon would break before your sump overflows in case of a power outage.

Gotcha! I just got lost in the wording. My 220g I bought already plumbed, and the returns were set just below the water level. It was good for surface agitation, too! Thanks!

 

[forddna]

I have a 60 cube marineland tank with overflow, I drilled a hole for 3/4" line a couple inches under the top in the overflow section. I then ran lockline out where the stock return lockline goes and set the 2 holes to be a herbie. It is silent running. I then painted the overflow corner black on the outside with flexi-dip (not shown in this pic) with black PVC from the return up the painted side. You don't even notice it. Worked fantastic.

That's awesome!! But I'm terrified of drilling glass. I'm pretty tempted, though!! My husband is very mechanically inclined (I am, too, but..), but he's afraid of drilling glass, too..but maybe..

Let me see if I can drum up a pic of the tank as it sits right now.

 

[JimON]

With only 2 holes you have 2 options. A durso standpipe(one pipe drains, one pipe returns), or a herbie setup(one pipe main siphon, and one pipe an emergency drain) with the returns over the top of the tank.

IMO, and I hate the look of the returns over the back, but the herbie setup is way quieter and safer then a single drain(durso).

Link to a herbie setup:
http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/

And a link to the differences in the 3 ways to setup an overflow:
http://gmacreef.com/aquarium-overflows-durso-herbie-and-bean-setups/

Great links, homer, thanks for posting!:beer:

 

[hart24601]

That's awesome!! But I'm terrified of drilling glass. I'm pretty tempted, though!! My husband is very mechanically inclined (I am, too, but..), but he's afraid of drilling glass, too..but maybe..

Let me see if I can drum up a pic of the tank as it sits right now.

It is much easier than one would think, especially after some practice. Lots of great videos out there, I think bulk reef supply has some good ones. Remember to tape the back and put a towel down so when the cut section falls it doesn't hit the other side!

I use a cordless drill with the clutch set on the lightest setting. Maybe find a leaking tank locally for cheap and practice a few times, I never cracked one (yet) and once you get the hang of it you will always want to drill!

 

[bmullikin1]

I have a 60g cube, with 18x18 sump, I use the herbie overflow and love it. used the 3/4 in hole for the main siphon, use a good quality gate valve, much easier to refine flow, and then used the 1" hole for the emergency overflow. then I ran a return line up the back of the tank w the standard u shaped piece that goes over the lip into the tank, I cut the pipe just barely below waterline to minimize amount of water going back in sump, and use powerheads for surface agitation. STILL RACING CARS

<a href="http://imgur.com/sw9lbvG"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/sw9lbvGl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="http://imgur.com/gDC24fG"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/gDC24fGl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href="http://imgur.com/OPxKeEA"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/OPxKeEAl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[bmullikin1]

<a href="http://imgur.com/2kFsy4t"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/2kFsy4tl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[forddna]

Awesome!! Thank you!! I knew your name rang a bell when I saw it in my notifications. I'm currently not, but I have two cars to pick from if I decide to. My husband (new since I was in Tampa) races, too, and his car is almost done. Couple teaser pics..