Herbie Drain Size on My New Tank

joeyprice · 07/19/2018, 12:51 AM

My new tank (48x20x20 - 100g) came pre-drilled with stand pipe plumbing included. The overflow is drilled x 3, which I am assuming is 2 drains and one return - Herbie style. The thing is, it came with stand pipes for all 3 - 2 x 2" and 1 x 1". These pipes seem huge to me for a 100g tank. Wouldn't I have to close the valves on the siphons down to the point where I'd be asking for trouble? Wouldn't reducing it be inviting the same problems? Any suggestions on how to plumb this thing?

Joey

Vinny Kreyling · 07/19/2018, 07:28 AM

Plumb it all with 1".
Do the easiest way right from the overflow box.
I run my 250 with 1" from 2 overflows.

nereefpat · 07/19/2018, 08:00 AM

You've got some decisions to make. To me, your options are:

1. Use durso or similar on the two 2" pipes, and the return on the 1" pipe. The two 2" gravity drains will handle flow more quietly than you might think.

2. Do a Herbie with one of the 2" as a syphon, and one of the 2" as an emergency. You will want to reduce the syphon to 1" below the bulkhead, because a 2" gate valve will be huge, expensive, and REALLY difficult to adjust. The 1" will still be the return.

3. Do a Bean with the 1" as a syphon, one of the 2" as a trickle that can turn into a syphon, and one of the 2" as an emergency, with a return running over the back.

07/19/2018, 12:51 AM	#1
joeyprice Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 13	Herbie Drain Size on My New Tank My new tank (48x20x20 - 100g) came pre-drilled with stand pipe plumbing included. The overflow is drilled x 3, which I am assuming is 2 drains and one return - Herbie style. The thing is, it came with stand pipes for all 3 - 2 x 2" and 1 x 1". These pipes seem huge to me for a 100g tank. Wouldn't I have to close the valves on the siphons down to the point where I'd be asking for trouble? Wouldn't reducing it be inviting the same problems? Any suggestions on how to plumb this thing? Joey

07/19/2018, 07:28 AM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Plumb it all with 1". Do the easiest way right from the overflow box. I run my 250 with 1" from 2 overflows. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

07/19/2018, 08:00 AM	#3
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	You've got some decisions to make. To me, your options are: 1. Use durso or similar on the two 2" pipes, and the return on the 1" pipe. The two 2" gravity drains will handle flow more quietly than you might think. 2. Do a Herbie with one of the 2" as a syphon, and one of the 2" as an emergency. You will want to reduce the syphon to 1" below the bulkhead, because a 2" gate valve will be huge, expensive, and REALLY difficult to adjust. The 1" will still be the return. 3. Do a Bean with the 1" as a syphon, one of the 2" as a trickle that can turn into a syphon, and one of the 2" as an emergency, with a return running over the back. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers