hello I recently picked up a 120 with dual overflows and was wondering what the best way to plumb it is? Previous owner had 2 seperate wet dry sumps running for each side and 2 return pumps for each return also. What's the best setup for dual overflows? Im hoping to find like a 40g breeder sump and use that not sure it will work. And will I still need to use both return pumps or just one with connection to both returns?
Plumbing for dual overflow 120
- Thread starter Reef707
- Start date
ThreeMoneyJ
New member
I set my 120 with dual overflows up as a "herbie" overflow. One side is a 3/4" siphon with a 1" emergency. The other side 3/4" is plugged and the 1" is T'd with 2 3/4" returns. I then filled the return side with sand so that it won't be such a stagnant area.
Welcome to Reef Central and WCR btw! Usually first posts are introductions. When you get a chance let us know who you are!
Welcome to Reef Central and WCR btw! Usually first posts are introductions. When you get a chance let us know who you are!
Dragonvale
New member
Id only do a " herbie flow" only if you use cepex ball valves. Just a pain being precise with the regular ball valves from homedeport etc... I know this first hand since I have it on my 40 cube. You can look at my thread I run dual overflows on my 125L on here. Only thing Id change for me was both 3/4" connecting to a 2 inch pipe into the sump.
swk
New member
Those, or gate valves are even easier to tune IME.
My DT is a RR 75 gallon. The 3/4 is my siphon and my 1" is the emergency line. Return goes over the back. I would think in addition to the above suggestions, you could do an extra emergency with one of those pipes, and then a return through the other. Welcome to WCR!
ThreeMoneyJ
New member
Yes gate valve. Good catch guys! I was in such a rush to be the first to reply! I'm on a motorcycle forum (barf. Seriously. Bay Area riders forum lol) where it's a game who can be the first to reply to a first time poster. If you see one with a first ever post you post GOLD as fast as possible. Then SILVER. Then BRONZE. I didn't think anyone here would get the joke so I didn't do it. But in the future....
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll look into the herbie setup. Although the I already have all the plumbing for the top like both returns have loc lines and I'm not sure what the drains are but I'm guessing there just standard for reef ready tanks. I don't know much about overflows. My current tank I drilled the back glass pane and just stuck a overflow box over it lol. It's been working great for about half a year now though.
Also I was previously jcm707 on here but I made a new account. So I've met some of you guys before. My names Juan. Thanks everybody
Also I was previously jcm707 on here but I made a new account. So I've met some of you guys before. My names Juan. Thanks everybody
Dragonvale
New member
Thanks Dragonvale gave me a better idea at it. Would the pipes need to be cut flat like that or could i use the current megaflow(durso i beleive?) and have one lower for main drain on one side and on the other overflow have one of the megaflows towards the top for emergency? Is there anything bad from using them as regular though with both as drains on each side and both return pipes being used as returns?
ThreeMoneyJ
New member
Hey Juan you've seen my 120, is that the same style you have? I can shoot you a text with some pictures of my overflow set up if you would like.
Hey yeah I think its the same tank. 48" x 24" x 24" with both overflows in the middle kind of spaced apart?
Yeah thatd be sweet cause i have no idea what to do haha.
My number is 707-217-0076. Thanks John!
woodnaquanut
Active member
I guess it has to do with how your baffles are in the sump. In my sump the only place the water does change level is the return. That's where I have the float switch to turn on the ATO.
It's the skimmer section you want to remain the same. Skimmers usually have problems if the water level changes.
It's a good idea to have the return section larger than you would think. If it's too small it will run dry very fast. I made mine too small. Without the ATO it will suck air in 24 hrs.
It's the skimmer section you want to remain the same. Skimmers usually have problems if the water level changes.
It's a good idea to have the return section larger than you would think. If it's too small it will run dry very fast. I made mine too small. Without the ATO it will suck air in 24 hrs.
woodnaquanut
Active member
Herbie has more flow and a bit safer.
And quieter...
And quieter...
Thanks for the help everybody, just got my 120 setup finally with just live rock and water in it so far. I have another question, I ended up using my 3/4" for the full siphon and 1" for emergency on one side. On the other side i capped off the 3/4" and the 1" is my return T'd off going left and right with loclines. The output from the loclines is going out very slow and doesnt seem like its moving water much. My return pump is only 625 gph though and its t'd off in the bottom feeding my refugium also. What would be a good pump to use for this that would work well with the 3/4" herbie? I have 2 other Mag 7's but i think those are only 700 gph so i doubt switching to those would make a difference.
Dragonvale
New member
So here's my thoughts if I understand what you did. So one overflow is setup correctly. The other side a capped off 3/4 (meaning closed not being used?) 1" is my return. So you have one overflow technically working if I understand that correctly with the other having stagnant water. I have the same setup two overflows with both herbie. As far as a return I used a seaswirl and positioned it on the back dead right in the middle.
You state you have a return pump is t'd off feeding a refugium and the tank. Why is it feeding a refugium? Why isn't the water from the overflow going into the refugium? I just need to visualize how your sump is setup.
Yeah so i have herbie running in one overflow, I read that getting both overflows running as herbie is too hard to tune so i decided to use just one side and have my return on the other and t'd at the top of the overflow and the 3/4" is closed so to deal with stagnant water i put a small pump in there with a hose sticking out of the top into the tank and ill be turning it on once a week to get that water out into the tank. Ill post some pictures later today.
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