woodnaquanut
Active member
Originally Posted by woodnaquanut Red by OP and woods reply!
So raising return flow...
Does the tank overflow because water can't get into the OF box fast enough or the drains can't keep up?
Water level in tank rises too high, water cannot get into the overflow fast enough.
This means for more flow you will have to remove teeth. This will also make it quieter.
Using the return flow from the latest pic:
Is the submerged siphon (unseen) valve fully open?
No, it is closed several turns on the gate valve.
If it's not, and you open it some does the siphon drain fast enough to pull air?
Yes, if I open it 1/32th of a turn (a tiny bit) the level in the tank and overflow drop. This causes the waterfall noise in the overflow as the water rushing in is now dropping and splashing. Another tiny turn and it will begin to pull air.
If you raise the siphon up some there would be less splashing. Also if you put a cover on the OF, you won't be able to hear it as much. Bonus is less crapus will grow down there and fish can't jump in!
What does the top of the siphon look like? Is it just an open stand pipe or is it topped with 1 or 2 elbows?
Top of siphon has a strainer but is otherwise pointed straight up.
If you make a 'U' out of two elbows or street ells, there will be less chance of sucking air.
The drain (emergency?) I can see looks a lot more like a Durso drain. I thought typical Herbie e-drain was just a stand pipe.
I think you are correct. I did not know the names of the different styles. It is a T capped above the waterline. The top of the cap as a (John Guest) airline looped back to be under the waterline if it raises too high. Other branch of T has a 90 that is currently turned up.
If you take all that off and just have a simple, dry emergency, I think it would be easier to deal with. There is no need for it or any valve on the e-drain. You want it to stay dry so stuff (technical term!) doesn't grow to block it and snails are less prone to go there.
So raising return flow...
Does the tank overflow because water can't get into the OF box fast enough or the drains can't keep up?
Water level in tank rises too high, water cannot get into the overflow fast enough.
This means for more flow you will have to remove teeth. This will also make it quieter.
Using the return flow from the latest pic:
Is the submerged siphon (unseen) valve fully open?
No, it is closed several turns on the gate valve.
If it's not, and you open it some does the siphon drain fast enough to pull air?
Yes, if I open it 1/32th of a turn (a tiny bit) the level in the tank and overflow drop. This causes the waterfall noise in the overflow as the water rushing in is now dropping and splashing. Another tiny turn and it will begin to pull air.
If you raise the siphon up some there would be less splashing. Also if you put a cover on the OF, you won't be able to hear it as much. Bonus is less crapus will grow down there and fish can't jump in!
What does the top of the siphon look like? Is it just an open stand pipe or is it topped with 1 or 2 elbows?
Top of siphon has a strainer but is otherwise pointed straight up.
If you make a 'U' out of two elbows or street ells, there will be less chance of sucking air.
The drain (emergency?) I can see looks a lot more like a Durso drain. I thought typical Herbie e-drain was just a stand pipe.
I think you are correct. I did not know the names of the different styles. It is a T capped above the waterline. The top of the cap as a (John Guest) airline looped back to be under the waterline if it raises too high. Other branch of T has a 90 that is currently turned up.
If you take all that off and just have a simple, dry emergency, I think it would be easier to deal with. There is no need for it or any valve on the e-drain. You want it to stay dry so stuff (technical term!) doesn't grow to block it and snails are less prone to go there.
I still have some bugs to work out on the plumbing. I began running the refugium and frag tank. That throws everything out of wack and started a new set of stresses. I will be adding emergency drains to both tanks and attaching an additional tank to handle the extra power off voulme the sump must handle. Pics to follow.
