Overflow Plumbing Advice

[Lmax8rn]

Hi All,

I just purchased and am in the process of setting up a 240 gallon tank. There are two corner overflows, one hole that is 1 1/2" and one that is 1 3/4" in each overflow. I just purchased new (appropriately sized) bulkheads, holes are clean, and I have new PVC. The tank is 8' long, and the drop to the sump is about 16-20" from the bottom of the tank. I have a 12,000 GPH return pump, and I already have the soft vinyl tubing to plumb the returns. I think I can handle the return part.

My questions are:
1. What type of overflow should I use with the end result being safety and silence?
2. Do I have the water going into the sump plumbed above or below the water line in the sump? One tank I set up with the plumbing below the water line bubbled a lot and was noisy, maybe I didn't have it set up right?
3. Ball valve or no ball valve?
4. If I use a durso, how far below the water line do I want the opening?

TIA for any input you may have. Please use laymen's terms... I'm blond LOL

 

[mcgyvr]

How about a video?
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2595141
All your questions should be taken care of there..

Any yes you are "blonde" (its got an "e")

 

[Lmax8rn]

How about a video?
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2595141
All your questions should be taken care of there..

Any yes you are "blonde" (its got an "e")

Lol, I am going to watch now, thanks for the reply

 

[reefteaser]

I've been using a Herbie system with great success. I notice in the video that after the return pump is off and then restarted, the water level in the overflow goes very high quickly, then settles down to its equilibrium level. My siphon line ends straight up with a mesh tip insert to guard against a snail or other blockage. I used a 45 angle faced away from the toothed area on my open channel to keep the inflow water from going directly into it.
With this arrangement, and after a pump shut off, upon powering up my siphon starts almost immediately and the level comes up slowly until hitting the open channel and then it's set. There is more noise without the durso when the overflow drains, or the siphon restarts, but it's only for a moment. It's completely silent otherwise in normal operation.
I thought of this when watching the durso overflow come up so quickly on the initial start. It seems the danger of a display tank overflow, if even momentarily, is higher than my comfort level.
Just a thought.

 

[reefteaser]

Terrific guidance here as well:

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

 

[mcgyvr]

Lol, I am going to watch now, thanks for the reply

I think its a great video and they really bring up many good points on desired water levels, problems that may occur and how they are solved by good planning,etc....
If you have a dual "reef ready" tank that video is hands down a very good video to watch and a system that one should duplicate..

 

[Lmax8rn]

I've been using a Herbie system with great success. I notice in the video that after the return pump is off and then restarted, the water level in the overflow goes very high quickly, then settles down to its equilibrium level. My siphon line ends straight up with a mesh tip insert to guard against a snail or other blockage. I used a 45 angle faced away from the toothed area on my open channel to keep the inflow water from going directly into it.
With this arrangement, and after a pump shut off, upon powering up my siphon starts almost immediately and the level comes up slowly until hitting the open channel and then it's set. There is more noise without the durso when the overflow drains, or the siphon restarts, but it's only for a moment. It's completely silent otherwise in normal operation.
I thought of this when watching the durso overflow come up so quickly on the initial start. It seems the danger of a display tank overflow, if even momentarily, is higher than my comfort level.
Just a thought.

Thank you for the reply. I have a 110 gallon sump, when it was set up before it was FAR from overflowing. I think I may try the Durso, since I already have everything for that. I am installing a few of those threaded connectors and ball valves so if I am not happy with it I can change it relatively easily.

 

[Lmax8rn]

Terrific guidance here as well:

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

Thank you, I will watch that now

 

[Lmax8rn]

I think its a great video and they really bring up many good points on desired water levels, problems that may occur and how they are solved by good planning,etc....
If you have a dual "reef ready" tank that video is hands down a very good video to watch and a system that one should duplicate..

It was good information, thank you again for the link

 

[fishgate]

I've been using a Herbie system with great success. I notice in the video that after the return pump is off and then restarted, the water level in the overflow goes very high quickly, then settles down to its equilibrium level. My siphon line ends straight up with a mesh tip insert to guard against a snail or other blockage. I used a 45 angle faced away from the toothed area on my open channel to keep the inflow water from going directly into it.
With this arrangement, and after a pump shut off, upon powering up my siphon starts almost immediately and the level comes up slowly until hitting the open channel and then it's set. There is more noise without the durso when the overflow drains, or the siphon restarts, but it's only for a moment. It's completely silent otherwise in normal operation.
I thought of this when watching the durso overflow come up so quickly on the initial start. It seems the danger of a display tank overflow, if even momentarily, is higher than my comfort level.
Just a thought.

The tank could still hold a good 5-10 gallons of water even with that water level high in the overflow compartment. It looks a bit deceptive but keep in mind there is still plenty of room left for water outside and above the overflows. And as shown in the video, there is no chance of a flood even if the siphon did not kick on for some reason.

 

[mcgyvr]

...

Again excellent video fishgate!!! :thumbsup: .. Took me a second to find it again but it clicked into my head the instant this question came up..

 

[uncleof6]

I've been using a Herbie system with great success. I notice in the video that after the return pump is off and then restarted, the water level in the overflow goes very high quickly, then settles down to its equilibrium level. My siphon line ends straight up with a mesh tip insert to guard against a snail or other blockage. I used a 45 angle faced away from the toothed area on my open channel to keep the inflow water from going directly into it.
With this arrangement, and after a pump shut off, upon powering up my siphon starts almost immediately and the level comes up slowly until hitting the open channel and then it's set. There is more noise without the durso when the overflow drains, or the siphon restarts, but it's only for a moment. It's completely silent otherwise in normal operation.
I thought of this when watching the durso overflow come up so quickly on the initial start. It seems the danger of a display tank overflow, if even momentarily, is higher than my comfort level.
Just a thought.

There is not supposed to be an open channel, or "Durso" in a herbie setup. Only a siphon and dry emergency.