Newbie Introduction

[neil82]

Thank you for your comments. Both timely and preventative from having a noisy water
overflow into my sump. I read all of the Q&A, which was very beneficial. Now I need to figure out how to remove the piping to make the necessary modifications. Where do I find a strainer that was discussed in the article? I was planning on going to WinnNelson or Ferguson to get the plumbing parts/fittings.

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BRS sells strainers here:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulkhead-overflow-strainers.html
You might be able to find them at LFS such as Aquamart. I would try calling to see if they have them. I don't know if the plumbing supply stores you mentioned carry this type of item as it is pretty specialized.
To remove the existing plumbing inside the internal overflow, you can likely unthread the stand pipes from the bulkheads, assuming that they are threaded bulkheads. In the event that you have bulkheads with slip fittings, you would need to remove the large nut that secures the bulkhead underneath the tank. Then you can remove the plumbing along with bulkhead. I think threaded bulkheads are more common on the reef ready style tanks though. This would also be a good time to inspect the bulkheads, especially the gasket, to ensure that it is in good shape. Consider replacing the bulkheads too if they are showing wear. They are relatively inexpensive and could save you from a headache later if they were to leak. Just let me know if you have any other questions. I just recently outfitted my 90 gallon with the Herbie style drain pipes so it is all fresh in mind.

 

[zombie]

Hydroponics stores sometimes carry strainers too.

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[Roxborough Reefer]

BRS sells strainers here:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulkhead-overflow-strainers.html
You might be able to find them at LFS such as Aquamart. I would try calling to see if they have them. I don't know if the plumbing supply stores you mentioned carry this type of item as it is pretty specialized.
To remove the existing plumbing inside the internal overflow, you can likely unthread the stand pipes from the bulkheads, assuming that they are threaded bulkheads. In the event that you have bulkheads with slip fittings, you would need to remove the large nut that secures the bulkhead underneath the tank. Then you can remove the plumbing along with bulkhead. I think threaded bulkheads are more common on the reef ready style tanks though. This would also be a good time to inspect the bulkheads, especially the gasket, to ensure that it is in good shape. Consider replacing the bulkheads too if they are showing wear. They are relatively inexpensive and could save you from a headache later if they were to leak. Just let me know if you have any other questions. I just recently outfitted my 90 gallon with the Herbie style drain pipes so it is all fresh in mind.

Neil82
I was able to get a strainer from Aquamart. I bought new bulkheads even though the existing bulkhead gaskets appeared to okay. Just for clarification, I removed the Durso siphon (the 1-inch) piping which was threaded into the bulkhead. The 3/4 inch pipe was slipped into the bulkhead.
So, if I understand the Herbie overflow article correctly, I will use the 3/4 inch bulkhead as my main siphon drain. The pipe will have the strainer on top and be at least 6 inches below the emergency drain within the overflow box. The emergency drain pipe will be one-inch diameter and go through the one-inch bulkhead.
The overflow pipe will have a gate valve between the bulkhead and the entry point into the sump. Since, you stated that you recently installed the Herbie overflow drain, is my description correct?
The return piping will be coming from the return pump and piped along the back of the aquarium and discharge using elbow fittings over the back. Is this correct as well??
Thank you for your help.

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[Lmmchops]

Neil82
I was able to get a strainer from Aquamart. I bought new bulkheads even though the existing bulkhead gaskets appeared to okay. Just for clarification, I removed the Durso siphon (the 1-inch) piping which was threaded into the bulkhead. The 3/4 inch pipe was slipped into the bulkhead.
So, if I understand the Herbie overflow article correctly, I will use the 3/4 inch bulkhead as my main siphon drain. The pipe will have the strainer on top and be at least 6 inches below the emergency drain within the overflow box. The emergency drain pipe will be one-inch diameter and go through the one-inch bulkhead.
The overflow pipe will have a gate valve between the bulkhead and the entry point into the sump. Since, you stated that you recently installed the Herbie overflow drain, is my description correct?
The return piping will be coming from the return pump and piped along the back of the aquarium and discharge using elbow fittings over the back. Is this correct as well??
Thank you for your help.

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Yeah that sounds correct I am doing the same thing to a 120 reef ready right now but I drilled the back of the aquarium for the return after it was suggested on here

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[Roxborough Reefer]

Yeah that sounds correct I am doing the same thing to a 120 reef ready right now but I drilled the back of the aquarium for the return after it was suggested on here

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Are you then using a check valve to prevent backflow to your return pump? At what distance to the top of the tank are you drilling?

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[Lmmchops]

Are you then using a check valve to prevent backflow to your return pump? At what distance to the top of the tank are you drilling?

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I am not planning on it just going to angle my return jets so they are at the surface and I didn't measure but made it far enough away that the bulkhead could seat correctly I'll post a picture

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[Lmmchops]

View attachment 12829

 

[Roxborough Reefer]

That looks clean and nice. I


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[Roxborough Reefer]

Yeah that sounds correct I am doing the same thing to a 120 reef ready right now but I drilled the back of the aquarium for the return after it was suggested on here

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Why not make the siphon bigger by using the one-inch bulkhead instead of the 3/4 inch?

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[Lmmchops]

Why not make the siphon bigger by using the one-inch bulkhead instead of the 3/4 inch?

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Only because in the event of the emergency you want the most flow you can get into the sump

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[SynDen]

I am not planning on it just going to angle my return jets so they are at the surface and I didn't measure but made it far enough away that the bulkhead could seat correctly I'll post a picture

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One thing to do to the return jets is to drill several small holes on the under side, along the length of the jet. This way once the water drops past one of the holes the siphon is broken, and then you can angle your jets deeper if need be

 

[neil82]

Neil82
I was able to get a strainer from Aquamart. I bought new bulkheads even though the existing bulkhead gaskets appeared to okay. Just for clarification, I removed the Durso siphon (the 1-inch) piping which was threaded into the bulkhead. The 3/4 inch pipe was slipped into the bulkhead.
So, if I understand the Herbie overflow article correctly, I will use the 3/4 inch bulkhead as my main siphon drain. The pipe will have the strainer on top and be at least 6 inches below the emergency drain within the overflow box. The emergency drain pipe will be one-inch diameter and go through the one-inch bulkhead.
The overflow pipe will have a gate valve between the bulkhead and the entry point into the sump. Since, you stated that you recently installed the Herbie overflow drain, is my description correct?
The return piping will be coming from the return pump and piped along the back of the aquarium and discharge using elbow fittings over the back. Is this correct as well??
Thank you for your help.

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Yes, that sounds great. 3/4 inch as the full siphon drain with gate valve and 1" emergency drain. That is how I did mine.