Elbow joints on emergency drain (herbie)?

[BelleReef]

I’m planning out my first herbie overflow plumbing, and I was thinking of rotating my sump so the filter sock/skimmer compartment is at the front of the cabinet for easier maintenance. However if I do that, I would have to put elbow fittings on my emergency overflow pipe. Would the elbows obstruct flow in an emergency? Does it matter which sump compartment the emergency overflow will dump into?

 

[Pntbll687]

Personally I would want it to drain into the first chamber if possible. Some people say to have it drain into the second chamber and leave it above the surface of the water so you can hear it splashing. I want it going to the first chamber because, 1) I would want to keep water flow through the sump as normal as possible, and 2) my skimmer is in the second chamber and I don't want to be dealing with an overflowing skimmer at the same time as an overflow issue.

Elbows wont affect the flow for the most part. But I wouldn't want any more than what is necessary. Post some pics so we can see what you want to do. It's always easier to help when we can see what is going on.

 

[Tplummer]

I’m planning out my first herbie overflow plumbing, and I was thinking of rotating my sump so the filter sock/skimmer compartment is at the front of the cabinet for easier maintenance. However if I do that, I would have to put elbow fittings on my emergency overflow pipe. Would the elbows obstruct flow in an emergency? Does it matter which sump compartment the emergency overflow will dump into?

A full syphon overflow will pull alot of water even with a few bends. That along with the other pipes (assuming multiple pipes have not clogged) and I think you'll be fine. One idea is to throw a neptune flow sensor on that channel to let you know when your wife is going to divorce you for the impromptu water fall onto Her floors.lol... good luck.

 

[Pntbll687]

A full syphon overflow will pull alot of water even with a few bends. That along with the other pipes (assuming multiple pipes have not clogged) and I think you'll be fine. One idea is to throw a neptune flow sensor on that channel to let you know when your wife is going to divorce you for the impromptu water fall onto Her floors.lol... good luck.

This is a GREAT idea if you have an apex and can get a fmm for the emergency pipe!!

I had to tear up half a room worth of flooring from a flood. You don't want to be there, TRUST ME!

 

[BelleReef]

Okay so attached is my sump for clarity and the three options (A-C) I’ve been playing with. Green is return, orange is primary siphon, red is emergency overflow.

 

[BelleReef]

A full syphon overflow will pull alot of water even with a few bends. That along with the other pipes (assuming multiple pipes have not clogged) and I think you'll be fine. One idea is to throw a neptune flow sensor on that channel to let you know when your wife is going to divorce you for the impromptu water fall onto Her floors.lol... good luck.

Thanks! I have an apex already but I can pick up the extras. So the flow sensor would go on the primary siphon and alert you if it clogged?

 

[ca1ore]

Putting elbows on any drain will reduce flow to some degree. Are your drawings to scale? You really want to use the largest drain diameter for the emergency.

Apex flow sensors work fine on siphons; less so on open channel/emergency.

 

[Pntbll687]

Okay so attached is my sump for clarity and the three options (A-C) I’ve been playing with. Green is return, orange is primary siphon, red is emergency overflow.

I would put the emergency where your skimmer is not.

This really isn't a mission critical decision. It's all about preference. I would plan out where you equipment is going, then put the emergency drain where it gives you the most room to upgrade and add equipment if/when needed.

 

[homer1475]

Doesn't matter where the emergency drains into, it's an emergency.

I personally put my next to my return pump(just where the pipe ended up) with no elbows. I only did this so in an EMERGENCY, I can hear the water splashing into the sump. It also creates air bubbles which get pushed out by my return into the display, and I have a visual que that something is wrong.

 

[BelleReef]

Putting elbows on any drain will reduce flow to some degree. Are your drawings to scale? You really want to use the largest drain diameter for the emergency.

Apex flow sensors work fine on siphons; less so on open channel/emergency.

No, I’m not that skilled at drawing hahaha. They’re all going to be 1” diameter, do you think that’s okay?

 

[Pntbll687]

No, I’m not that skilled at drawing hahaha. They’re all going to be 1” diameter, do you think that’s okay?

That should be fine, unless you're planning to run a crazy amount of flow through the drain

 

[ca1ore]

No, I’m not that skilled at drawing hahaha. They’re all going to be 1” diameter, do you think that’s okay?

1” is fine for the siphon. Might want to upsize the stand pipe above the bulkhead on the emergency if there’s space.

 

[Tplummer]

Putting elbows on any drain will reduce flow to some degree. Are your drawings to scale? You really want to use the largest drain diameter for the emergency.

Apex flow sensors work fine on siphons; less so on open channel/emergency.

The sensor would be set up on the emergency line for notification purposes. I've removed several of these sensors n my system. They're just another maintenance point but i see value in the ability to shut off your main pump when things are going south or maybe tuning a reactor.

 

[Tplummer]

Thanks! I have an apex already but I can pick up the extras. So the flow sensor would go on the primary siphon and alert you if it clogged?

No sir, just on the emergency drain line. Technically yes it is a full siphon but not your primary one if that makes sense. If the flow sensor detects any flow, you get notified, or you can turn off the main pump at that point.

 

[ca1ore]

No sir, just on the emergency drain line. Technically yes it is a full siphon but not your primary one if that makes sense. If the flow sensor detects any flow, you get notified, or you can turn off the main pump at that point.

This works better on a bean than a herbie where the emergency may run some flow as a matter of routine. I think the better approach IS to put the sensor on the main siphon and trigger an alert if flow falls below X.

 

[Tplummer]

This works better on a bean than a herbie where the emergency may run some flow as a matter of routine. I think the better approach IS to put the sensor on the main siphon and trigger an alert if flow falls below X.

I think youre right, im using bean animal, not herbie