Quick Herbie Sump Plumbing Question

[Fade2White12]

Hey guys,

I'm doing a 3-hole herbie with two 1" drains (main and emergency). Standpipes and bulkheads are already installed with a short run of PVC glued to the bulkheads beneath. I want to use flexible tubing for the rest of the runs, like reinforced nylon hose. So I have two questions:

1. What fittings should I use to complete each drain? I was thinking something like a PVC union with a slip on one side and NPT on the other, then a threaded barbed adapter, then the hose. And on the main drain, add the gate valve at the end. Is that right, or am I missing something?

2. My sump is designed something like the below image. Should both drains empty into the same chamber (the media/sock chamber on the right)? And how far should the hoses be submerged below the water line?

Thanks so much!

 

[SGT_York]

1" no more below the water line. With the gate valve as high as you can is preferrable, but not too significant. It is best placed with rigid line to keep in in place when adjusting. I always skip the barbed adapter and just upside the nylon hose so the inside diameter is 1" it slips right on to 1" pvc pipe I use primer and glue and overlap by two inches. It's is cheaper, really easy and no chance for leaks, bubbles.

 

[Fade2White12]

Thanks for the feedback!

So if I were to relocate the gate valve higher up, should I place it before or after the union? I want to do unions so I can clean the hoses periodically, especially if I end up using the clear nylon tubing (algae growth). Will I want the gate valve to be removable for easier cleaning as well?

And back to one of my original questions - should both drains empty into that same media chamber?

 

[SGT_York]

Drain's can enter the sump wherever, just so long as they are not too deep. The open channel (non valve) Line has quite a few bubbles, so be prepared for that possibility.

I'd put the union before the valve, that will make it easier to remove any items from the valve itself. on that note make sure you have a screen to keep kritters out of your siphon line as they tend to get sucked down and trapped at the valve.

 

[uncleof6]

Thanks for the feedback!

So if I were to relocate the gate valve higher up, should I place it before or after the union? I want to do unions so I can clean the hoses periodically, especially if I end up using the clear nylon tubing (algae growth). Will I want the gate valve to be removable for easier cleaning as well?

And back to one of my original questions - should both drains empty into that same media chamber?

The placement of the valve is rather irrelevant, as its position does not influence the basic function of the system. It is more a function of how far the drain drops, and placing it closer to the sump, can act as a noise reducer. For normal drops, the valve placement is a matter of accessiblity and convenience. Quality gate valves disassemble in place for service, making unions little more than leaks waiting to happen.

Since a "hebie" has a siphon and a dry emergency, there is no concern whether both "empty" into the same media chamber: Only one is supposed to have any water in it. I realize there is a group of people that choose to ignore the basic safety rules involving siphon systems, (never run a siphon without a DRY emergency) believing that somehow, they will never have a flood. However, just because people do it, and have not yet had a flood, does not mean the practice is safe, or even wise/advisable....it simply means that some people do it....what is never considered is that if the "pipe" with a trickle in it gets blocked, the system will flood, with no backup at all...

The only concerns are that the DRY emergency have no risk of plugging while not in use, so that when it is needed, it starts quickly and can handle 100% of the flow from the return pump. It is common practice to drop all "drain lines" into the same compartment, as this keeps everything uniform (length of pipe, fittings etc) however it is not mandatory. I drop the dry emergency into the center return secton of the sump, for convenience mostly so not to crowd the skimmer section, and to keep things "uniform." I run BAs, so both pipes that have water in them in normal operation, drop into the same section.