90 degree elbows in overflow box?

[Nardi]

Hello. I just picked up an aquarium with an overflow box and am wondering why it is plumbed this way?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Joe31415]

There's a handful of popular ways to plumb your overflow, mostly with the goal of quieting it down. That appears to be a Bean Animal set up with an extra set of elbows on the main drain for any number of reasons.

Overflow Boxes and Drain Styles - Durso, Herbie, and Bean Animal

Decide which of the three most common types of drains and overflow boxes is right for you and your tank.

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Joe31415]

Also, it's worth keeping in mind, both as you try to figure out what the last person did as well as when you decide what you're going to do, that everyone has their own opinion on how to do this. Its common to take one of the standard methods and adapt it to your tank. Often, the main driver behind many of the variations is noise. What works for you might cause a lot of gurgling in my setup. The way I fix the gurgling in my tank might result in lots of water splashing into the sump in yours.

But, for what it's worth, I've found that a DC, variable speed return pump is loads easier to dial in so it matches your overflow rate rather than trying to adjust a drain valve to match the pump speed. At least that's been the case for me.

 

[mfinn]

Also, it's worth keeping in mind, both as you try to figure out what the last person did as well as when you decide what you're going to do, that everyone has their own opinion on how to do this. Its common to take one of the standard methods and adapt it to your tank. Often, the main driver behind many of the variations is noise. What works for you might cause a lot of gurgling in my setup. The way I fix the gurgling in my tank might result in lots of water splashing into the sump in yours.

But, for what it's worth, I've found that a DC, variable speed return pump is loads easier to dial in so it matches your overflow rate rather than trying to adjust a drain valve to match the pump speed. At least that's been the case for me.

Great advice.
Love the link you posted.

 

[Nardi]

Thank you very much Joe, that did help a lot. I tried googling a bunch of differently worded ways and never came across that link. Very helpful!

 

[Reefering1]

Looks like it was done to quiet the drains. So that its not slurping from the surface. Looks similar to what I did, I suggest you leave it

 

[Nardi]

Looks like it was done to quiet the drains. So that its not sleeping from the service. Looks similar to what I did, I suggest you leave it

Great, will do! Was just curious as all the videos I've watched never had that kind of setup.

 

[Reign1]

That is pretty normal older "bean" or "durso" standpipe. It maximixes flow to air during drain and helps prevent glugging. Now a days with multiple drains most just opt for one drain restricted w/ gate valve set to full siphon and secondary as emergency.