"reef ready" corner overflow plumbing questions.

[Marcom12]

So,I have set up my tank and plumbed my sump. In my sump all I have is the return pump. I basically just wanted to see the system work a bit and play with it to get familiar with it.

I also have been reading the bean animal method, but I don't think my tank, as is, will accommodate this.

I have the typical 2 hole bottom drilled tank with corner overflow.

My question is.....

I have read in many places that my drain line into the sump should not have a valve on it or be restricted in any way.
Before reading that, I put a ball valve in the drain line. and after reading that i left it wide open. But with it wide open, I have a huge amount of bubbles and noise into sump. If I use the ball valve, I can seemingly get a silent flow but I keep reading I should not do this.

Why shouldn't I do this? And if I shouldn't, how do I eliminate the massive amount of noise and bubbles I get when I don't adjust the ball valve?

 

[billdogg]

Take a look at the Herbie drain. That will allow you to use one of the lines as the primary drain, the other as the emergency drain. You will then have to plumb your return over the top in back rather than use one of the pre drilled holes as the return line from your sump.

Depending on your tank size, I would suggest using the smaller line (3/4"?) as the primary drain, leaving the larger (1"?) as the emergency.

 

[Marcom12]

So the answer to my factory set "two hole bottom drilled" tank could be a herbie setup? i have not looked at that one much.

 

[mcgyvr]

Yes...go herbie..

 

[Ab129]

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

This was my bible for my setup and I have the same as you, corner overflow w two pre drilled holes. Hope the link works!
If not just google herbie drain and you'll be fine.

 

[Marcom12]

thanks everyone... from what I read... with a herbie you still use a ball valve in the main drain line?

 

[homer1475]

Yes you use a GATE valve on the main drain, not ball valve.



The gate valve allows for more precise adjustments, where as a ball valve is pretty much open and close. Yes you can crack it and do adjustments that way, but a gate valve is way more precise.

 

[Marcom12]

ok i bought one of those true union ball valves cause some said they were just as good but will get a gate valve if needed

 

[thegrun]

The reason you want to use a gate valve on the main full siphon drain line is that it is very difficult to perform the fine tuning required on the drain line with a ball valve. Ball valves are great for either full on or full off situations but not where fine tuning is required. It's touchy to fine tune even with a gate valve, nearly impossible with a ball valve.

 

[Joe0813]

I wish I ditched the noisy durso standpipe style with my overflows. they are loud no matter what you do with them. only time they aren't loud is when the return is off or you throw them away and switch to the Herbie style. Bummed I didn't make the switch when I moved the tank

 

[Marcom12]

It seems switching to a herbie style is fairly simple...

Just cut the smaller line to about 6 inches under the larger emergency drain.... install gate valve on smaller main drain and plumb my return up the back and into tank?

 

[thegrun]

Yes