overflow ?

BluegrassReef · Mar 10, 2009

I redid my 90rr that had a 1 inch drain and a 3/4 return...I want to use both as a drain and have the return over the back.

how can I have both drains running full open? do I need to plumb both drains into 1 drain line. I do not have a durso or stockman for the 3/4 side so it is just the bulkhead there is a standpipe for the 1" drain...any suggestions on what I need to do?

also does anybody have any links for diying a standpipe?

mike

Ladipyg · Mar 10, 2009

Here's a pretty good DIY site...lots of clear pics..I keep it bookmarked and use it myself.

http://www.randystacye.com/dursostandpipe.htm

BluegrassReef · Mar 10, 2009

thank you for the link....any idea on running both drains fully open?

Ladipyg · Mar 11, 2009

I would put a valve on it just in case, but as long as your pump is big enough to keep up with the flow..it shouldn't be a problem. My drain is Tee-d off, there is a valve on the part that goes into my refugium so that I can keep the water flow slow for my cheato and pods n' stuff. I also have a fat little mandarin goby living in there. He was so skinny when I got him you could almost see thru him. Now he's fat as a tick!!

roshi719 · Mar 11, 2009

If the drains are inside your overflow, then I would run both wide open. I just don't trust a ball valve on a drain. Besides, you will only drain what gets into the overflow. Just size your pump right and it won't be a problem.

MikeB · Mar 11, 2009

Ladipyg said:
I would put a valve on it just in case, but as long as your pump is big enough to keep up with the flow..it shouldn't be a problem. My drain is Tee-d off, there is a valve on the part that goes into my refugium so that I can keep the water flow slow for my cheato and pods n' stuff. I also have a fat little mandarin goby living in there. He was so skinny when I got him you could almost see thru him. Now he's fat as a tick!!

The overflow is only going to be as much as his return....

Ladipyg · Mar 11, 2009

OK..I've just slapped my self in the forehead and said "DOH!!"...I knew that....

BluegrassReef · Mar 11, 2009

Ladipyg said:
OK..I've just slapped my self in the forehead and said "DOH!!"...I knew that....

No need to beat yourself up on my account....lol

I have the 1" drain running wide open and the 1200gph throttled back a little and everything is working fine....the 3/4 inch drain is a back up in case the other gets clogged or a snail gets in there....thanks for all the help guys/gals

rarelyseriousb · Mar 11, 2009

I personally never use a ball valve on a drain but as long as you have redundancy you should be fine

tryingsalt · Mar 18, 2009

I have a 75 RR and I use both holes in the overflow box for my drain w/return over the back. Here's something to think about.

http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx