I think the link you provided in an earlier post, and whose pictures you have been using as illustrations, makes a particularly cogent, sensible explanation. While the arguments for leaving the oveflow pipe completely dry are conceptually valid, the practicality of the matter is that the trickle presents minimal risk based on the lack of user failure. I had run a Herbie type overflow on my single weir 180 from 1992 until 2007 (part of the time as FW; part of the time as a reef tank), always running some level of trickle through the 'emergency' and it was essentially silent and never came close to failing.
NEW plumbing method for an ULTRA QUIET REEF TANK!!!! LONG !!!!
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I think the link you provided in an earlier post, and whose pictures you have been using as illustrations, makes a particularly cogent, sensible explanation. While the arguments for leaving the oveflow pipe completely dry are conceptually valid, the practicality of the matter is that the trickle presents minimal risk based on the lack of user failure. I had run a Herbie type overflow on my single weir 180 from 1992 until 2007 (part of the time as FW; part of the time as a reef tank), always running some level of trickle through the 'emergency' and it was essentially silent and never came close to failing.
New 150 Gal set up
New 150 Gal set up
Hello Folks: I am new to the hobby. I am not new to fish keeping and have kept African Cichlids for several years. I am in the midst of setting up a reef tank and have been doing lots or research and planning slowly.
I am building a new 150 gal tank (72 x 18 x 27) to replace my old one which i recently sold.
I am planning to use the herbie method and plan to have one large overflow in the middle of the tank. Approx 2 feet wide. Within this overflow i plan to have 4 holes in total. 2 on the outer edges will be the return lines from my return pump pushing water from the sump (probably 1"). the 2 inner ones will be the drains. Probably 1.5 inch drains. One will be the full syphon and one will be higher up as the emergency.
Can you please advise if this makes sense.
Most of the set ups i have seen discussed have only drains in the overflow and the return lines from the pump are behind the tank. i am guessing this is because the tank already only came with 2 holes and they were both needed for drains.
I am pretty sure there would be no issue with putting 2 drains and 2 return lines within the overflow box if i want to utilize the herbie method, but just wanted to make sure.
Thanks for your help.
New 150 Gal set up
Hello Folks: I am new to the hobby. I am not new to fish keeping and have kept African Cichlids for several years. I am in the midst of setting up a reef tank and have been doing lots or research and planning slowly.
I am building a new 150 gal tank (72 x 18 x 27) to replace my old one which i recently sold.
I am planning to use the herbie method and plan to have one large overflow in the middle of the tank. Approx 2 feet wide. Within this overflow i plan to have 4 holes in total. 2 on the outer edges will be the return lines from my return pump pushing water from the sump (probably 1"). the 2 inner ones will be the drains. Probably 1.5 inch drains. One will be the full syphon and one will be higher up as the emergency.
Can you please advise if this makes sense.
Most of the set ups i have seen discussed have only drains in the overflow and the return lines from the pump are behind the tank. i am guessing this is because the tank already only came with 2 holes and they were both needed for drains.
I am pretty sure there would be no issue with putting 2 drains and 2 return lines within the overflow box if i want to utilize the herbie method, but just wanted to make sure.
Thanks for your help.
Mudbeaver
New member
This is what i have going on with Concept Aquariums from Calgary
Now its a herbie 1.5"drain as well ; but i don't like too many holes in my tank so the return is 1" and i'll have locklines 6" in each directions, since i have other powerheads in the tank a 150G 72"X24"X21"hight , my pump is a Diablo DC 3000 six variable speed inside pump. Now FIGS if you have no space issues go for a 24" wide with a 72" long you won't regret it and go 21" high ; it easier with the lights.my 2 cents
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Mark...
Member
I'd like to get some feed back on a 180 gallon reef tank with center internal overflow. Over flow is 3 sided 9"x5"x5" with teeth. This will be a basement sump with 10.5 feet of head.
I want to use a 1 inch full siphon Herbie (gated) and a 1 inch dry emergency totally separate to sump.
I hope to use a DC pump (waveline 10000 or Diablo 10,500) with one 1 inch return to split to two 3/4 inch returns just before reaching bottom of over flow..
These pumps seem rated well for head pressure, just not sure everything matches up?
The sump is 72" long with a max volume of 90 gallons, but expect to only use 60 when in operation.
Input greatly appreciated.
I want to use a 1 inch full siphon Herbie (gated) and a 1 inch dry emergency totally separate to sump.
I hope to use a DC pump (waveline 10000 or Diablo 10,500) with one 1 inch return to split to two 3/4 inch returns just before reaching bottom of over flow..
These pumps seem rated well for head pressure, just not sure everything matches up?
The sump is 72" long with a max volume of 90 gallons, but expect to only use 60 when in operation.
Input greatly appreciated.
Maximus
Active member
Ok, I've read the first 30 pages of this thread and now need to ask a question. My tank is about to be made with an external overflow that is 14"x6"x8". It will have two drains (either 1" or 1.5") and the dimensions of the tank will be 36x30x16 (75g). Will the 8" height be sufficient enough to use a Herbie or should I have the tank maker make it deeper? Second question, I plan on flowing roughly 450-500 gph through the bulkheads. Should I use a pair of 1" or 1.5" bulkheads? If I can get away with using the 1" bulkheads, it would be ideal so I can shrink the width of the external overflow from 6" to 4". That would allow me to put the tank closer to the wall. Thanks guys.
shellshocked
New member
I know this thread is way over subscribed but I have done a lot of work and experimentation to make my tanks silent. The first key is locate all pumps in another room. If you have a basement you are in luck - locate the mechanical stuff below the tank in the basement. Very difficult to sound proof the stand and not have a moisture issue. Beyond this the flow of water is tricky to keep quiet. I have tried durso and other funky overflow tricks. They work but not well and not reliably. The best thing I have done is to put foam baffles in my overflow so the water does not splash. Think of it more as cascading down a series of steps. I turn the flow down slightly but not much. It has no chance to clog and requires no cleaning. In any case worked for me and has been my standard method for many many years.
reeftanknewbie
New member
Yes I have done this several times before without an overflow. In fact my frag tanks are still this way.
salajander
New member
What a great scheme this is. I'm just setting up a new 55g - it's a reef-ready with an overflow and two holes pre-drilled. This sounds like the perfect setup!
icechimpee
Time is Money
Setting up a new tank this way...cant wait for the silence
Coral Dilema
Member
So I'm thinking of doing this in my new tank. RR 20X20X20 tank. (1) 1 inch drain and (1) 3/4 inch return hole drilled. Which would you use for the drain and which for the emergency?
Mark...
Member
If you maximize flow with your 1 inch, then the 3/4 emergency would likely overflow in the case of a complete blockage.
Coral Dilema
Member
yeah, that's what I was thinking. What is the flow rate for a maximized 3/4 inch though? Is that information available? Will be about 35 - 40 inches of draft.
MikesReef83
New member
I got my 90g with a Herbie tested last night. I need to raise my emergency up a little more to prevent the waterfall sound into the overflow. How low should I run my water level below the emergency drain?
Im setting this up in my 90 as well and would like to know how low the water should be. I think someone had said before to have the E Drain about an inch below the weir. And have the water line at least a half to one inch below the E drain.
Mark...
Member
That one I don't know. It you could redrill the 3/4 to 1 inch, that would be perfect.
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