1 durso surging in double durso setup

[Eder]

Going crazy. Can’t get the drain with the arrow to stop surging for the life of me. The other one is doing just fine. As a matter of fact, the surging durso wasn’t even really draining well and one day decided to step it’s game up. This is our third tank but new setup. I have a valve on the drain so help me match the returns flow. Help me!!! Thanks!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Going crazy. Can’t get the drain with the arrow to stop surging for the life of me. The other one is doing just fine. As a matter of fact, the surging durso wasn’t even really draining well and one day decided to step it’s game up. This is our third tank but new setup. I have a valve on the drain so help me match the returns flow. Help me!!! Thanks!

Please take a picture from the top of your Durso's. Sounds like you need to increase air flow on the one that is surging.

 

[Eder]

 

[ca1ore]

Could be any number of things. Not enough air as already suggested. Are the two drains in physically separate oveflow boxes? Maybe tanks not level and one drain is getting more flow than the other. Valve isn’t helping. Really shouldn’t use one on a durso drain.

 

[Eder]

Could be any number of things. Not enough air as already suggested. Are the two drains in physically separate oveflow boxes? Maybe tanks not level and one drain is getting more flow than the other. Valve isn’t helping. Really shouldn’t use one on a durso drain.

They are in separate overflows. I can definitely make the hole larger, however it was working perfectly fine a few days ago. The drains are literally ¼ below water so that’s not the problem.

Valve isn’t helping? How do y’all slow water down if needed. If it’s surging up and down? I’m a previous bean animal user so I’m a complete durso newbie

 

[ca1ore]

I thought you said it wasn’t really draining before? Surging basically means that the drain pipe is trying to go siphon, then failing, trying to go siphon, then failing. As a prior bean user, sorry to say but durso drains are just horrible. I would open up the valve, make sure that horizontal run isn’t trapping air and see what happens.

 

[jsvand5]

Why not just switch it to a herbie style and not have to worry about it anymore?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Why not just switch it to a herbie style and not have to worry about it anymore?

He could, but the horizontal runs may trap air.

I would open up the air line size first and see if it helps.

 

[Eder]

If I open the ball valves then there’s too much speed on the drains and the sump goes wild and becomes a jacuzzi. I purchased a new much smaller return pump since my old one was waaaaaaay to big.

How would you go about turning into a herbie? I could do that and just not have an emergency. Do a dual herbie. Our sump is 55 gal and has a lot of room and our tank can hold at least 30 more gallons and we only use a 10 gal ato so flooding isn’t an issue since we also have ALD and probes etc.

Can make the hole larger but it’ll be permanent and if it’s too large....how do I know which size?

Thanks fellas. Great ideas so far.

 

[Eder]

Y’all take the day off? Help a brother out!

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Here’s info on how to set up a herbie, see if you could use it

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

@Flippers4pups may have more

 

[jsvand5]

If I open the ball valves then there’s too much speed on the drains and the sump goes wild and becomes a jacuzzi. I purchased a new much smaller return pump since my old one was waaaaaaay to big.

How would you go about turning into a herbie? I could do that and just not have an emergency. Do a dual herbie. Our sump is 55 gal and has a lot of room and our tank can hold at least 30 more gallons and we only use a 10 gal ato so flooding isn’t an issue since we also have ALD and probes etc.

Can make the hole larger but it’ll be permanent and if it’s too large....how do I know which size?

Thanks fellas. Great ideas so far.

You definitely need an emergency drain with a herbie. The concern isn't the sump overflowing, it’s the tank itself overflowing. The only real difference between a herbie and a Bean is that there is no secondary drain. Just the main drain with a gate valve cut low in the overflow box and the the emergency drain set up 1/2”- 1” from the top of the tank. Works best if you can eliminate the horizontal run on your primary drain though.