Overflow Set-Up Help Please!

[Harris3005]

Hi,

My new tank has 2 bottom drilled holes, one is 40mm (Approx 1.5") and one is 25mm (approx 1") with a glass overflow box and I'm trying to understand the best method for this overflow. The return comes over the top at the other side of the tank.

I've been reading up on the herbie method, would that be best?

Is the larger diameter hole for the main drain or the emergency?

I've got the pipework and plumbing for underneath the tank from the holes to the sump as these came with the tank but I can't get my head around the set up inside the overflow in the tank.

Couple of pics of what I have so far are attached.

Thanks!

 

[aquaman30k]

Bean animal is the safer route however many use herbie due to hole restrictions such as a predrilled two pipe overflow box. I use herbie for this reason. It's my understanding that the larger pipe would be your emergency pipe and the smaller say 1" pipe would be your full siphon in that it is fully submerged and adjusted to match the flow of the return.

Either method works great IMO. I can attest to the herbie method being dead silent.

 

[slim_santa_chris]

Hi,

My new tank has 2 bottom drilled holes, one is 40mm (Approx 1.5") and one is 25mm (approx 1") with a glass overflow box and I'm trying to understand the best method for this overflow. The return comes over the top at the other side of the tank.

I've been reading up on the herbie method, would that be best?

Is the larger diameter hole for the main drain or the emergency?

I've got the pipework and plumbing for underneath the tank from the holes to the sump as these came with the tank but I can't get my head around the set up inside the overflow in the tank.

Couple of pics of what I have so far are attached.

Thanks!

the return is above the tank? I'd like to see pics of the tank. sounds like you have the avg per drilled over flow and someone else changes it up somehow. might have complications with the return line or sounds like it wouldn't be asteticly pleasing. two dilled holes are usually your drain and return. if you wanted to do something more complex usually would have to be custom

 

[Harris3005]

Heres a pic of the return:

And the whole tank, still need to finish wrapping the cabinet in black. It's 6ft by 20" by 20". Sump is 50 inches long and 18 inches high.

 

[DDanis60]

I did exactly was has been mentioned above. I used both pre drilled holes as drains with the herbie method. Dead silent. And instead of running the return through the second hole (as designed by aga for use with a single drain durso and single return within the overflow box), I just ran it up over the top.

 

[Harris3005]

So it's looking like the herbie method is going to be best, using the larger hole for the emergency and the smaller one for the syphon?

 

[aquaman30k]

So it's looking like the herbie method is going to be best, using the larger hole for the emergency and the smaller one for the syphon?

Correct

 

[Harris3005]

Thanks very much for everyone's help and advice!

 

[Harris3005]

So I have a Jebao DC9000 here ready to go on this tank, is the smaller hole going to give me enough water drainage into the sump for this pump? It's adjustable down to about 5400lph/1400gph at its lowest setting.

 

[DDanis60]

That 1400 is rated at zero head height. You'll have a few feet of head to get the water back to your return and that 1400+ will drop. I think you'll be fine. If not, you're completely safe to further restrict flow with a valve on the output /return. Just never restrict the input of a pump. Also, a full siphon can really move some water. You'll be surprised. Make sure you place a valve on your main drain so that you can adjust flow. You want it adjusted sothe second emergency drain pipe receives just a trickle of water, or barely dry.. you're preference. With your adjustable return pump, both can be used to adjust drain. Even if you end up not needing the valve on the main drain, it's a lot easier adding it when plumbing the system than adding it later. Post pics when you have her all set up!

 

[Harris3005]

That 1400 is rated at zero head height. You'll have a few feet of head to get the water back to your return and that 1400+ will drop. I think you'll be fine. If not, you're completely safe to further restrict flow with a valve on the output /return. Just never restrict the input of a pump. Also, a full siphon can really move some water. You'll be surprised. Make sure you place a valve on your main drain so that you can adjust flow. You want it adjusted sothe second emergency drain pipe receives just a trickle of water, or barely dry.. you're preference. With your adjustable return pump, both can be used to adjust drain. Even if you end up not needing the valve on the main drain, it's a lot easier adding it when plumbing the system than adding it later. Post pics when you have her all set up!

Thanks very much for such a detailed reply, I'll update with pics once it's all done!

 

[Harris3005]

I don't want to keep starting new threads for this so hopefully a few people will see this post and give me some opinions. I'm trying to decide if I should use aquarium silicone on the bulkheads or should I just use the gasket and tighten it up? I've read a lot of differing things on the subject so I'd appreciate some opinions.

 

[cjd]

Never use silicone on bulk heads . Gasket only.

 

[Harris3005]

Am I right in thinking the gasket goes on the opposite side from the nut on the bulkhead? If I'm right the rubber gasket will be on the outside of my tank, is that ok?

 

[cjd]

The gasket goes on the wet side , nut on dry side.

 

[Harris3005]

The gasket goes on the wet side , nut on dry side.

The tank came with the plumbing but the bulkheads are the opposite way round from that picture, the nut and threaded side are on the inside of the tank?

 

[cjd]

Was this up and running somewhere like this ? Tightening a nut against a gasket increases the risk of leaks . The nut may grab the gasket and warp the seal . You may get lucky and have a seal...... but I have no luck !

 

[Harris3005]

Was this up and running somewhere like this ? Tightening a nut against a gasket increases the risk of leaks . The nut may grab the gasket and warp the seal . You may get lucky and have a seal...... but I have no luck !

Yeah for the size I wanted I had to go for a second hand set up due to my budget. I know about the nut warping the rubber gasket thats why I wondered if it would work with the gasket on the outside of the tank? Everything's glued already so I can't turn the bulkhead the other way, am I going to have to redo it all do you think?

 

[cjd]

Any time I bought second hand I changed out the bulk head fittings and plumbed to my liking . People do some interesting things like put gaskets on the outside of the tank and use silicone on the bulk heads. Your call ..... but an easy insurance policy to do it right while the tank is being set up or later when its an emergency situation and nothings open or doesn't have the right size , now you have a leaky tank and a mad scramble to find a replacement .