Herbie method, emergency pipe outside overflow?

[LRGMTH]

Hello all,
New to account, been reading and enjoying for awhile.

Recent tank purchase may of had overflow, now just what seems to be the main drain with valve and a higher in the tank emergency drain. What are you thoughts on placing an overflow only around the main drain and leave emergency pipe outside.

They are currently about 2 inches different in depth, emergency nearer top of tank. Both 1". Both have the small skimmer head attached.

Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[madweazl]

Typically, there is a small amount of water going through the secondary and that basically sets your water level so you'd probably want an overflow box there and not on the primary (just a screen of some sort to prevent critters from being sucked into it). A picture would be helpful because I may not be visualizing what you're trying to say properly.

 

[LRGMTH]

Thanks, Yes, I should have been more clear. Currently there are two thru the floor drain pipes in the tank. extending to nearly the water surface. No overflow is installed. I think I need to add a overflow and use the Herbie method or leave as is with minimal surface skimming and balance to a trickle at the emergency drain. Based on what I understand, if keeping current layout without a overflow, I need to be sure the sump can handle the full amount of water to the lower drain is a power outage. Maybe over thinking this a little....

madweazl, if I understand your comment, place a overflow around the emergency (upper) drain and use it for skimming.
thanks,

 

[madweazl]

madweazl, if I understand your comment, place a overflow around the emergency (upper) drain and use it for skimming.
thanks,

Yes but I'm taking a total stab in the dark based off your description. You are correct that the sump would need to be able to deal with the volume that would back siphon to the sump. Is there something preventing you from raising the height of the primary drain? A check valve can also be used to mitigate some/all the back siphon though they're prone to failure so you'll want to maintain them if used.

 

[LRGMTH]

Thanks Again,
The LFS wanted me to plug one drain and add tee to top with down pointed 90. and add small bleed hole to top of tee.


This seems reasonable based on what I have read. Maybe I can still leave emergency second drain as emergency only, above top edge of tee.

 

[madweazl]

Thanks Again,
The LFS wanted me to plug one drain and add tee to top with down pointed 90. and add small bleed hole to top of tee.


This seems reasonable based on what I have read. Maybe I can still leave emergency second drain as emergency only, above top edge of tee.

How many drains does it have (Herbie uses two while beananimal uses three).

 

[HOOPDEEZ]

A picture would do wonders here, but it sounds like you need the overflow, I think you would run into issues down the road without it. Might as well do it while the tank is dry, you won’t have the option later

 

[LRGMTH]

Thanks,
I can add overflow. The LFS as mentioned thinks I should eliminate one drain and use a single drain with "T" on top with the down turn and an orifice on top.

I will look at overflow options. Maybe not completely to tank bottom, something smaller would be preferred.

Thanks,

 

[HOOPDEEZ]

If I’m imagining it right you could do a herbie style system, which runs much quieter and has a failsafe. Eliminating a drain is not often a good idea-don’t always listen to the LFS lol. Do take a pic and I can be more specific

 

[LRGMTH]

Here is a pic.
I'm thinking of a what I think is a standpipe with the "T" and down turned elbow and the air vent on the lower drain and leave the top for piece of mind.

 

[HOOPDEEZ]

Ahh I thought it was empty when you said it was a recently purchased tank. In that case a Durso style standpipe like you described would work-like this:
http://www.saltcorner.com/Articles/ArticlePics/durso2.jpg
And I would use the strainer you have for it. Definitely keep the emergency drain