Third time's a charm.

[briwill99]

Thinking about going with Herbie Overflow this time. Had problems with the 65g leaking at the bulkheads so want to redo the drains. I only have 2 holes on tank bottom in overflow so need to route return over tank rim instead. Have reservations on that return design though.
Thoughts?

 

[briwill99]

I guess I am worried about securing the return well enough. Anyone running overflow/return this way.

 

[Pife]

Synergy ghost over flow.

 

[Mr D smack]

I glued two 90s together close then added a 22

 

[briwill99]

@ Pife: Yeah, I saw that. That is real nice. Only problem is I have center overflow with two holes in the bottom of tank. I was looking at Herbie and am intrigued. But it requires 2 holes for the overflow alone. I would have to use the hole which my return occupies for the extra drain that the Herbie uses. I have seen people run the return up the back of the tank with a U to go over the top rim and down into the tank. Just wondering how risky that would be if it could get knocked off and have all your sump water pumped into my family room.

 

[briwill99]

I glued two 90s together close then added a 22

Sorry, not sure I follow. 2 90 degree PVC joints? And then a 22 at the end?

 

[Mr D smack]

Sorry, not sure I follow. 2 90 degree PVC joints? And then a 22 at the end?

Yes

 

[briwill99]

How do you secure it? Do you use brackets on the stand or anything?

 

[Mr D smack]

No brackets. The weight of configuration itself was enough. I'll look around and see if I still have it to snap a pic of it

 

[Aqua Man 07]

i had a 225 a few years back that i ran the returns over the back of the tank like smack did but i used a 1" slip to 3/4" threaded 90 to put lockline on it. i only had the 2 90s going over the back glued the 90 that was inside the tank was just slipped on and i was running a mag 36 return pump.

 

[briwill99]

i had a 225 a few years back that i ran the returns over the back of the tank like smack did but i used a 1" slip to 3/4" threaded 90 to put lockline on it. i only had the 2 90s going over the back glued the 90 that was inside the tank was just slipped on and i was running a mag 36 return pump.

Good to know. I had a fish only tank a very long time ago. It had a trickle filter with bioballs if that give you an idea of how long ago it was. It also had a return that used braided hose attached to a nozzle at the end made of pic or something that was in the shape of a u which hooked over the rim for the outlet. I don't recall how it failed, but it failed and ended up in the floor. That's why I am a little over paranoid. I know this is different since it is hard plumbed. I think I may put a conduit bracket on the stand for good measure.

 

[briwill99]

How do you secure it? Do you use brackets on the stand or anything?

Thanks dsmack

 

[briwill99]

What's the consensus these days on deep sand beds, miracle mud, and refugiums?

 

[Mr D smack]

I only know of one person running a deep sandbed and hes having great success

 

[Aqua Man 07]

I'm running 4 to 5 inches in the 300 and so far so good it's only a little over a month old.

 

[briwill99]

I have been reading a lot about pluses and minuses of Jabao. Anyone here have experience running their powerheads?

 

[Pife]

3 years and one failure. For me.

 

[mpgrant77]

Ahh the age old jebao question. You get what you pay for. I've run jebao returns pumps and powerheads. The biggest problem I have had with mine is calcium buildup causing them to stop. I have to soak them in vinegar and clean them up on occasion and then they work fine. I have heard power supplies are an issue also but have not experienced it as of yet. In my opinion they are a decent pump for the money. Don't buy them and expect the same results as a vortech or likewise though. I did replace my return pump with a waveline because of the problem of calcium buildup stopping my return pump. That was a problem for me. The power heads are not as big of a deal if they stop for a while.

 

[briwill99]

3 years and one failure. For me.

That sounds acceptable to me given the price. Thanks for the helpful feedback.

 

[briwill99]

Ahh the age old jebao question. You get what you pay for. I've run jebao returns pumps and powerheads. The biggest problem I have had with mine is calcium buildup causing them to stop. I have to soak them in vinegar and clean them up on occasion and then they work fine. I have heard power supplies are an issue also but have not experienced it as of yet. In my opinion they are a decent pump for the money. Don't buy them and expect the same results as a vortech or likewise though. I did replace my return pump with a waveline because of the problem of calcium buildup stopping my return pump. That was a problem for me. The power heads are not as big of a deal if they stop for a while.

I was thinking along the same lines. Wanting to stay clear of return pump, but considering powerheads. I also saw a thread on rc about a mod replacing ceramic bushing with a piece of airline which according to some was a good fix. How many of thier powerheads have you owned? Have you had complete failures of powerheads that you couldn't resurrect? If so how long did you use them before that?
Thank you so much for your help.