Overflow question

[Jberge]

Hey, over the weekend I ended up getting a reef ready 210g to upgrade from my 72g bowfront. I was going to get a standard tank and drill it myself for the overflow but there were none available and I didn’t feel like waiting for a custom tank and then paying freight too. Obviously there’s 2 internal overflows and 4 holes drilled. Someone suggested to me setting it up as a herbie but I was just wondering if I should do that or a bean animal, except then that would only leave me with 1 return. I just wanted to see what others thought so I can get a plumbing order placed. I’m thinking maybe I should start a build thread also since I’ve never documented any of my projects. I did start a thread for my stand though showing at least what I’ve gotten done so far. Any input is appreciated

 

[Biglew11]

I think I would do 2 Herbie style drains and run the return over the top.

Bean animal could work, but if the slots on the over flow with the emergency drain got plugged (slim chance) it may not work as intended.

 

[ca1ore]

I could never get a bean to work across dual overflows. On my old ML265, I ended up with a double herbie and return over the rim.

 

[Jberge]

I think I would do 2 Herbie style drains and run the return over the top.

Bean animal could work, but if the slots on the over flow with the emergency drain got plugged (slim chance) it may not work as intended.

I could never get a bean to work across dual overflows. On my old ML265, I ended up with a double herbie and return over the rim.

Sounds like double herbie is the way to go. Should I run one or 2 returns over the back

 

[Biglew11]

the return is really only important for turn over in the sump. the higher the return flow, the the higher the turn over rate in the sump, in general about 3-5 times an hour through the sump. supply the rest of the in tank flow with power heads.

two returns on two separate pumps would be ideal, that way if one loop failed you would still have some flow through the sump. you can also take one offline to clean the pump.

 

[Jberge]

the return is really only important for turn over in the sump. the higher the return flow, the the higher the turn over rate in the sump, in general about 3-5 times an hour through the sump. supply the rest of the in tank flow with power heads.

two returns on two separate pumps would be ideal, that way if one loop failed you would still have some flow through the sump. you can also take one offline to clean the pump.

2 seperate is a good idea. I was aware of the turn over rate, I just don’t have any experience with a tank this size so I didn’t know if one 3/4” return would be sufficient if I’m only running one pump

 

[ReeferBob]

 

[DCR]

I would use two 1" returns for a tank that size. The 3/4" will restrict your flow quite a bit.

 

[Jberge]

My sump has 2 inlets on the sock side, so can I tie the 2 full siphons together and then the 2 emergency lines together and put in 4 valves? Or should they all be independent to get more flow? Will the emergency standpipes dictate the water level inside the overflow or do nothing unless there’s a clog? If independent, I could plumb the siphons into the socks and the standpipes into another chamber

 

[Jberge]

Here is my sump, if anyone can suggest how they’d run a dual herbie into it, I’d greatly appreciate it. I’ve been searching and I’m still unclear as to the best way

 

[ReeferBob]

My sump has 2 inlets on the sock side, so can I tie the 2 full siphons together and then the 2 emergency lines together and put in 4 valves? Or should they all be independent to get more flow? Will the emergency standpipes dictate the water level inside the overflow or do nothing unless there’s a clog? If independent, I could plumb the siphons into the socks and the standpipes into another chamber

Did you watch my video? You can tie in the full-siphons to one but you need to have 1 coming from each weir. There is no emergency stand pipe since this is a Herbie and not a Bean setup. The standpipe is necessary in a full siphon system since it is not possible to maintain a full siphon without it.

Personally I would not tie them together. I would run them (each weir) separate and not use those holes in the sump. Well, actually I would not use that sump at all I would build one out of a 40b.

If you do tie them together, you'll need to close them a lot since tying them in will restrict flow.

FYI: Yes, the open channel stand-pipes dictate the level in the weir. The open channels normally exit in the same chamber as the full-siphons but realistically, they don't need to. Only the full-siphons need to go into the socks. But better yet, don't use socks at all. I have removed all of mine. You will be cleaning them weekly at least.

 

[DCR]

I would run each of the full siphons separately to the two bulkheads on the first chamber and combine the two overflows and send them to the large bulkhead that discharges to the second chamber. I think that bulkhead was intended as an emergency overflow. You will have a trickle flow to the second chamber but the bulk of your flow will still be filtered in the socks