Yamaha1634
Active Member
I have an Aqua One Mini Reef 180 system set up for a few weeks. It comes as standard with a 40mm Durso stand pipe and a 20mm return, so only 2 holes drilled in the base of the tank.
With no valves fitted anywhere my first port of call was to re do the plumbing inside the cabinet. I fitted a 40mm ball valve on the drain and changed the flexible 20mm pipe to mainly solid welded 20mm pipe for the return, incorporating a ball valve and a small section of 20mm hose for vibrations.
My issue is the noise. The only way I can silence the drain is by closing the ball valve in the cabinet to stop the noise of the water cascading down, however this is basically creating a full syphon. This means if the drain is ever hindered or blocked the return pump would increase the water level in the DT with nothing to stop it. I believe with the Durso I have the small hole in the top is the emergency drain, if water covers this hole it creates a full syphon and drains the DT quickly. With my ball valve half closed however, this wouldn't happen!
Also, every time I close the ball valve to clean my filter sock it's a nightmare to get it back in just the right spot. If it's a fraction out it makes a right noise!
So I'm contemplating a modification. I intend to cut off the Durso top and replace it with a strainer half way down my corner Weir. I would then extend the 20mm return pipe to above the water line creating an emergency drain and a Herbie set up. I would then need to re-route the return pipe around the back of the tank, probably split it into 2 and return the flow to the tank over the back. Would need to do this as neatly as possible as I don't want to see pipes everywhere on display!
Is this worth the effort? Any suggestions?
With no valves fitted anywhere my first port of call was to re do the plumbing inside the cabinet. I fitted a 40mm ball valve on the drain and changed the flexible 20mm pipe to mainly solid welded 20mm pipe for the return, incorporating a ball valve and a small section of 20mm hose for vibrations.
My issue is the noise. The only way I can silence the drain is by closing the ball valve in the cabinet to stop the noise of the water cascading down, however this is basically creating a full syphon. This means if the drain is ever hindered or blocked the return pump would increase the water level in the DT with nothing to stop it. I believe with the Durso I have the small hole in the top is the emergency drain, if water covers this hole it creates a full syphon and drains the DT quickly. With my ball valve half closed however, this wouldn't happen!
Also, every time I close the ball valve to clean my filter sock it's a nightmare to get it back in just the right spot. If it's a fraction out it makes a right noise!
So I'm contemplating a modification. I intend to cut off the Durso top and replace it with a strainer half way down my corner Weir. I would then extend the 20mm return pipe to above the water line creating an emergency drain and a Herbie set up. I would then need to re-route the return pipe around the back of the tank, probably split it into 2 and return the flow to the tank over the back. Would need to do this as neatly as possible as I don't want to see pipes everywhere on display!
Is this worth the effort? Any suggestions?
