"reef ready" corner overflow plumbing questions.

Marcom12 · 07/22/2018, 08:45 AM

So,I have set up my tank and plumbed my sump. In my sump all I have is the return pump. I basically just wanted to see the system work a bit and play with it to get familiar with it.

I also have been reading the bean animal method, but I don't think my tank, as is, will accommodate this.

I have the typical 2 hole bottom drilled tank with corner overflow.

My question is.....

I have read in many places that my drain line into the sump should not have a valve on it or be restricted in any way.
Before reading that, I put a ball valve in the drain line. and after reading that i left it wide open. But with it wide open, I have a huge amount of bubbles and noise into sump. If I use the ball valve, I can seemingly get a silent flow but I keep reading I should not do this.

Why shouldn't I do this? And if I shouldn't, how do I eliminate the massive amount of noise and bubbles I get when I don't adjust the ball valve?

billdogg · 07/22/2018, 09:32 AM

Take a look at the Herbie drain. That will allow you to use one of the lines as the primary drain, the other as the emergency drain. You will then have to plumb your return over the top in back rather than use one of the pre drilled holes as the return line from your sump.

Depending on your tank size, I would suggest using the smaller line (3/4"?) as the primary drain, leaving the larger (1"?) as the emergency.

Marcom12 · 07/22/2018, 09:54 AM

So the answer to my factory set "two hole bottom drilled" tank could be a herbie setup? i have not looked at that one much.

mcgyvr · 07/22/2018, 11:39 AM

Yes...go herbie..

Ab129 · 07/22/2018, 11:43 AM

http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-...method-basics/

This was my bible for my setup and I have the same as you, corner overflow w two pre drilled holes. Hope the link works!
If not just google herbie drain and you’ll be fine.

Marcom12 · 07/22/2018, 12:07 PM

thanks everyone... from what I read... with a herbie you still use a ball valve in the main drain line?

homer1475 · 07/22/2018, 12:58 PM

Yes you use a GATE valve on the main drain, not ball valve.

The gate valve allows for more precise adjustments, where as a ball valve is pretty much open and close. Yes you can crack it and do adjustments that way, but a gate valve is way more precise.

Marcom12 · 07/22/2018, 02:04 PM

ok

i bought one of those true union ball valves cause some said they were just as good but will get a gate valve if needed

thegrun · 07/22/2018, 05:07 PM

The reason you want to use a gate valve on the main full siphon drain line is that it is very difficult to perform the fine tuning required on the drain line with a ball valve. Ball valves are great for either full on or full off situations but not where fine tuning is required. It's touchy to fine tune even with a gate valve, nearly impossible with a ball valve.

Joe0813 · 07/22/2018, 05:15 PM

I wish I ditched the noisy durso standpipe style with my overflows. they are loud no matter what you do with them. only time they aren't loud is when the return is off or you throw them away and switch to the Herbie style. Bummed I didn't make the switch when I moved the tank

Marcom12 · 07/22/2018, 06:59 PM

It seems switching to a herbie style is fairly simple...

Just cut the smaller line to about 6 inches under the larger emergency drain.... install gate valve on smaller main drain and plumb my return up the back and into tank?

thegrun · 07/22/2018, 07:26 PM

Yes

07/22/2018, 08:45 AM	#1
Marcom12 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Posts: 70	"reef ready" corner overflow plumbing questions. So,I have set up my tank and plumbed my sump. In my sump all I have is the return pump. I basically just wanted to see the system work a bit and play with it to get familiar with it. I also have been reading the bean animal method, but I don't think my tank, as is, will accommodate this. I have the typical 2 hole bottom drilled tank with corner overflow. My question is..... I have read in many places that my drain line into the sump should not have a valve on it or be restricted in any way. Before reading that, I put a ball valve in the drain line. and after reading that i left it wide open. But with it wide open, I have a huge amount of bubbles and noise into sump. If I use the ball valve, I can seemingly get a silent flow but I keep reading I should not do this. Why shouldn't I do this? And if I shouldn't, how do I eliminate the massive amount of noise and bubbles I get when I don't adjust the ball valve?

07/22/2018, 09:32 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Take a look at the Herbie drain. That will allow you to use one of the lines as the primary drain, the other as the emergency drain. You will then have to plumb your return over the top in back rather than use one of the pre drilled holes as the return line from your sump. Depending on your tank size, I would suggest using the smaller line (3/4"?) as the primary drain, leaving the larger (1"?) as the emergency. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

07/22/2018, 11:39 AM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Yes...go herbie.. __________________ Who me?

07/22/2018, 11:43 AM	#5
Ab129 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 367	http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-...method-basics/ This was my bible for my setup and I have the same as you, corner overflow w two pre drilled holes. Hope the link works! If not just google herbie drain and you’ll be fine. __________________ 75 gal, TriggerRuby30 sump, Reef Octo 150 sss skimmer and Varios 6 return pump, Icecap gyre 3k, (2) Radion xr15 4 gen, Icecap ATO, Spectrapure RO/DI NO3-0, Mag-1385, Ca-430, Alk-9.1, pH-8.1 Current Tank Info: nitrates 0 SG 1.026, pH 8.1

07/22/2018, 12:58 PM	#7
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Yes you use a GATE valve on the main drain, not ball valve. The gate valve allows for more precise adjustments, where as a ball valve is pretty much open and close. Yes you can crack it and do adjustments that way, but a gate valve is way more precise. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

07/22/2018, 09:54 AM	#3
Marcom12 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Posts: 70	So the answer to my factory set "two hole bottom drilled" tank could be a herbie setup? i have not looked at that one much.

07/22/2018, 12:07 PM	#6
Marcom12 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Posts: 70	thanks everyone... from what I read... with a herbie you still use a ball valve in the main drain line?

07/22/2018, 02:04 PM	#8
Marcom12 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Posts: 70	ok i bought one of those true union ball valves cause some said they were just as good but will get a gate valve if needed

07/22/2018, 05:07 PM	#9
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	The reason you want to use a gate valve on the main full siphon drain line is that it is very difficult to perform the fine tuning required on the drain line with a ball valve. Ball valves are great for either full on or full off situations but not where fine tuning is required. It's touchy to fine tune even with a gate valve, nearly impossible with a ball valve.

07/22/2018, 05:15 PM	#10
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	I wish I ditched the noisy durso standpipe style with my overflows. they are loud no matter what you do with them. only time they aren't loud is when the return is off or you throw them away and switch to the Herbie style. Bummed I didn't make the switch when I moved the tank __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

07/22/2018, 06:59 PM	#11
Marcom12 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Posts: 70	It seems switching to a herbie style is fairly simple... Just cut the smaller line to about 6 inches under the larger emergency drain.... install gate valve on smaller main drain and plumb my return up the back and into tank?

07/22/2018, 07:26 PM	#12
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Yes