Drain chamber full of bubbles... sock overflowing

[Dburr1014]

Yeah the drain is the pipe in question. I'm wondering if even switching to a Herbie style will still require smaller pumps. Only one way to find out I guess...

Herbie will maximize the flow in your drain. You will have to dial back the pumps. They can't be running at full 100% now, right?

 

[SJMFW]

Herbie will maximize the flow in your drain. You will have to dial back the pumps. They can't be running at full 100% now, right?

They're currently one click above closed.

 

[homer1475]

If your current durso setup is handling the pumps, a full siphon herbie setup will work even better.

 

[homer1475]

In my setup( herbie) my main siphon line is just a bulkhead with a strainer on it. No piping, but my sump can handle my tower style overflow draindown.

 

[SJMFW]

So i was able to easily convert the Mega Flow to a herbie using the existing parts and it's definitely quieter. I was able to dial it in with my existing ball valve fairly easily. If also appears to have resolved the bubbling issue in the sump. My last question is should the emergency drain pipe also be extended below the water surface in the sump?

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

So i was able to easily convert the Mega Flow to a herbie using the existing parts and it's definitely quieter. I was able to dial it in with my existing ball valve fairly easily. If also appears to have resolved the bubbling issue in the sump. My last question is should the emergency drain pipe also be extended below the water surface in the sump?

I have been told no. This way if the emergency overflow comes into play, you will hear splashing or noise to alert you to the issue so you can address it. That being said, the Red Sea tanks I use do have their emergency below water level. So either is ok.

 

[Dburr1014]

So i was able to easily convert the Mega Flow to a herbie using the existing parts and it's definitely quieter. I was able to dial it in with my existing ball valve fairly easily. If also appears to have resolved the bubbling issue in the sump. My last question is should the emergency drain pipe also be extended below the water surface in the sump?

I do below water. That trickle make splashes if it is above. The splashes make salt creep. There will definitely be an audible sound that doesn't sound like normal tank running when your emergency kicks in. You will know.

 

[SJMFW]

Would adding a filter sponge to the strainer be too restrictive or on any other way problematic? Just thinking of ways to mitigate clogging the main drain.

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

Would adding a filter sponge to the strainer be too restrictive or on any other way problematic? Just thinking of ways to mitigate clogging the main drain.

I wouldn’t. Realistically your drain shouldn’t plug. It can if like a snail or fish gets to it. I haven’t done anything to clean out a drain line in any of my tanks.

However I have a QT system that I drilled and added overflow boxes to the back of three tanks and plumbed them together into one sump. I have had fish and eels that were able to get into them and end up in the sump. So I cut and put foam in them to keep fish from entering the drain fins. These foam pads do fill up with Algea and stuff and restrict the flow. Since it on the inside section the tanks become in danger of overflowing. So I personally wouldn’t add foam unless it becomes truly necessary.

 

[Dburr1014]

Would adding a filter sponge to the strainer be too restrictive or on any other way problematic? Just thinking of ways to mitigate clogging the main drain.

More problems, sponge clogs, drifting water levels.