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JuggZaPoppiN
01/24/2015, 04:34 PM
So I finally decided on the type of overflow that I want to do with my 125 gallon.
I am going with dual herbie overflows. Each overflow will have 3 holes coming through the bottom. 1 drain, 1 emergency and 1 Return.

I want to do everything in 1inch.
My question though is this. Should I oversize the drain bulkheads, unions, and valves to 1 1/4 for better flow?
or just stick with 1 inch fittings for everything?

For my return pump in my sump/refugium I am thinking of this. http://www.amazon.com/EHEIM-Compact-Pump-Gallons-5000L/dp/B0018CDWL8

Thanks all. :beer:

phenom5
01/24/2015, 04:47 PM
1" full siphon can handle plenty. IMO you only want about 3x-5x turnover through your sump.

JuggZaPoppiN
01/24/2015, 04:56 PM
You mean just do 1 overflow with the 1 inch herbie?
Or do all fittings in 1 inch instead of 1 1/4 ?

phenom5
01/24/2015, 04:58 PM
No, You'll be fine with using both as drains, but I wouldn't bother increasing the PVC to 1 1/4".

JuggZaPoppiN
01/24/2015, 05:03 PM
I didnt plan on increasing the pvc, just the fittings. As valves, bulkheads and unions restrict the flow a little bit. Which is why i was thinking of upsizing all fittings and reducing them back to 1" adapters for the pipe.

phenom5
01/24/2015, 05:10 PM
Is the tank already drilled?

The fittings restrict the flow some, but to me that more effort than it's worth. For that matter, if you're going to increase the size of the fittings, I wouldn't reduce it back down. If you go up to 1 1/4" fittings, I would go with 1 1/4" PVC.

JuggZaPoppiN
01/24/2015, 05:45 PM
The tank is not drilled yet. Trying to figure out what exactly i want to do.

BlackTip
01/24/2015, 06:14 PM
I am planning on doing the same thing - double Herbie. I suggest your E drain pipe to be bigger than your main drain pipe. So, if you drain pipe is 1", the E pipe should be 1.5". I am taking about the pipe size, I am talking about the bulkhead size.

How many return pumps are you planning on installing?

JuggZaPoppiN
01/24/2015, 06:17 PM
Never thought of that. Maybe ill do all 1 1/4 bulkheads. 1 inch pipe for drains and 1 1/4 for em.
I plan on doing 1 pump for returns.

phenom5
01/24/2015, 06:19 PM
Since the tank is not already drilled, I would either:

1. Drill it for a 1" bulkhead, and use 1" PVC.
2. Drill it for a 1 1/4" bulkhead, and use 1 1/4" PVC.
3. Dril it for a 1" blulkhead, and use 1 1/4" PVC & fittings.

I wouldn't drill for a 1 1/4" bulkhead, use 1 1/4" fittings, and use 1" PVC.
Also FWIW, a 1" bulkhead, fittings, and PVC will do, and wiil save a little money.

BlackTip
01/24/2015, 06:24 PM
Never thought of that. Maybe ill do all 1 1/4 bulkheads. 1 inch pipe for drains and 1 1/4 for em.
I plan on doing 1 pump for returns.

I think it will be difficult to manage the water line with split return line and two siphoning pipes.

I am going with dual smaller return pumps. This way, I have fully redundant system. If one pump fails, and I am not around, it will not be a disaster.

JuggZaPoppiN
01/24/2015, 06:31 PM
I think it will be difficult to manage the water line with split return line and two siphoning pipes.

I am going with dual smaller return pumps. This way, I have fully redundant system. If one pump fails, and I am not around, it will not be a disaster.

What do you mean?
Not following what your saying

BigBlueTang
01/24/2015, 06:44 PM
Guys. Go with the BeAn Animal overflow. Many tanks have failed due to blocked overflows and the like. And an added plus, it it dead silent.

BlackTip
01/24/2015, 06:47 PM
Read option #1 here:

http://gmacreef.com/herbie-dual-overflows/

BlackTip
01/24/2015, 07:00 PM
Guys. Go with the BeAn Animal overflow. Many tanks have failed due to blocked overflows and the like. And an added plus, it it dead silent.

My understanding is that Herbie is dead silence as well. BeanAnimal has 2x secondary drain lines. Double Herbie is, also, have 2x secondary drain lines. Double Herbie has two of everything, return, siphoning, and emergency. True redundancy.

Is there anything that I don't see or understand? I am new to this hobby.

JuggZaPoppiN
01/24/2015, 07:06 PM
Guys. Go with the BeAn Animal overflow. Many tanks have failed due to blocked overflows and the like. And an added plus, it it dead silent.

If i were to go that route and drill 4 holes. 3 for the bean animal and 1 for the return. What size bulkheads should I use?

phenom5
01/24/2015, 07:19 PM
FWIW, I have a 5 hole setup as a beananimal on my tank.

3x 1" drains
2x 3/4" returns

JuggZaPoppiN
01/24/2015, 07:38 PM
FWIW, I have a 5 hole setup as a beananimal on my tank.

3x 1" drains
2x 3/4" returns

You care to share a pic with us. Or a few pics.

phenom5
01/24/2015, 08:18 PM
Sure thing...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a272/phenom5/Bandelier%20Build/IMAG0167_zpsxe95r6fz.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/phenom5/media/Bandelier%20Build/IMAG0167_zpsxe95r6fz.jpg.html)

This is the only worth while pic I have from when I was building my tank. The two outside pipes are the 3/4" returns. From left to right, the left is the full siphon, main drain. Next is the open channel, I drilled and tapped a 1/4" 90 degree john guest fitting with an airline tube (not shown in the pic), and last on the right is the emergency drain.

JuggZaPoppiN
01/24/2015, 08:27 PM
Thank you for the picture. How big is your actual overfow shroud? How many times per hour doea your tank cycle. Also, in your opinion are the 2 returns necessary.

phenom5
01/24/2015, 08:41 PM
The overflow is 6x18". Tank has a 72x24" footprint.

Return pushes 990gph. With headloss, and running a 2 reactor manifold (GFO & GAC), I am at roughly 700gph, or 4.5x turnover.

I like the 2 returns, especially for a 6' tank, but it's not "needed."

JuggZaPoppiN
01/24/2015, 10:55 PM
This is going to be my 1st build so i am very new to this. You lost me when you said a 2 reactor manifold.

BigBlueTang
01/25/2015, 12:59 AM
This is going to be my 1st build so i am very new to this. You lost me when you said a 2 reactor manifold.


No worries, I am too. He means he is running a reactor off of his return pump, which has GFO(don't know what this means) and granulated active carbon. It's a common thing which you can get off bulk reef supply. Don't worry about asking questions, people are nice enough as long as you are not rude. :)

Jreed983
01/25/2015, 03:31 AM
GFO - granular ferric oxide (think that's spelled right!). It's used to remove phosphates for the water.

phenom5
01/25/2015, 08:06 AM
Sorry, didn't mean to lose you.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a272/phenom5/Bandelier%20Build/IMAG0206_zpswv9dfnuu.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/phenom5/media/Bandelier%20Build/IMAG0206_zpswv9dfnuu.jpg.html)

I don't have a great shot of it, but I have two media reactors that get their water supplied from the return pump instead of having dedicated pump(s) for them. The pic above shows the water supply lines going out of the return line.

Not terribly important at this point, other than it impacts the amount of flow I have from the return pump.

JuggZaPoppiN
01/25/2015, 07:23 PM
Wow..... That's a lot going on there.
I think I decided to stick with my dual 1 inch overflows.
I'll keep everyone updated on my progress.