Bean Animal Experts!

StikHedRon · Jun 6, 2015

Ok so I'm getting ready to start a new build and wanna run the bean animal drain system. I know drain 1 is full siphon, drain 2 is secondary drain and 3 drain is the backup. My question is on the secondary drain where your supposed to install a airline and secure just above water line so in case of water level rise it turns into a full siphon, do you have to use tubing to accomplish this? Or can I just drill say a 1/2" hole in the top of the 2nd drain so when the water level rises above the u-pipe it then becomes full siphon? Is there any issues with running the drain system this way? Thanks in advance!

Aquaph8 · Jun 6, 2015

I would think that would work as long as the water levels worked out right

mmnich · Jun 7, 2015

You could, but that's not a Bean!

The airline is not placed just above the waterline. It's placed just above the dry emergency opening. It works like this. If the siphon clogs the open channel flow increases. If that increases enough the emergency drain will flow. If the emergency clogs and the water level continues to rise to the level of the airline the open channel will then convert to a full siphon.

pbauec · Jun 7, 2015

If the hole is just above the dry emergency isn't the result the same without the need for the airline?

StikHedRon · Jun 7, 2015

Ok, I thought that the airline was supposed to be just above the operating height of the water in the overflow box.

pbauec · Jun 7, 2015

Sorry, that's what i meant. If there is a difference between waterline cresting the drilled hole or airline tube, i can't see it. But i am by no means an expert.

d2mini · Jun 7, 2015

mmnich said:
You could, but that's not a Bean!

The airline is not placed just above the waterline. It's placed just above the dry emergency opening. It works like this. If the siphon clogs the open channel flow increases. If that increases enough the emergency drain will flow. If the emergency clogs and the water level continues to rise to the level of the airline the open channel will then convert to a full siphon.

This is correct. ^^^

The tubing on the open channel is the last line of defense. As water rises in the event of a clog to the siphon line, the upturned elbow takes up the slack. Only if that clogs, do you rely on the tubing to get closed off and turn the open channel into a full siphon.

mmnich · Jun 7, 2015

Another problem with the OP is that during startup the overflow level will rise and fall, sometimes above the down turned elbows and even briefly may flow in the dry emergency, until equilibrium is reached.

You do not want the open channel turning into a full siphon during this startup or you may never reach equilibrium.