I still don't get why it failed, if back up drain can't handle the full flow from the return on it's own then you have quite a large issue. This is Herbie 101. I would hope you've fixed this so this won't happen again.

PS good luck with the folks, for the record it's easier to tell them these things over the phone when they happen. They can't do much from a different city so this would be the smarter play as appose to doing it all in person at once :surprise:

the problem was a turbosnail that was blocking the water at the ballvalve... one turn of that thing and TING! everything was back to normal! damn snails... I'll be looking to make an egg-crate fix tonight!

If your main line gets clogged which can happen easily because it has a partially closed valve then the back up must be able to handle resulting flow. Eggcrate is not a solution, the back up drain should be sized better or the flow should be reduced.

ask big tang... he's the one that plumbed my tank!

Then you should ask him to fix it cause it's not right.

awesome.... anyonew want to come re-plumb my tank?

apparently my overflow is too small..... sucks to be me I guess

What do you mean? You have two drains correct? What size are they?

Sounds like the OP has a siphon type overflow and is mistaking that with a Herbie. Or a drilled tank with an overflow box and no emergency drain.

$hitty luck but you are not alone.

I am sure numerous reefers have had a snail or 2 teach them how to mop. :twised:

If you only have one drain then you can't use a valve to restrict the flow safely.

Flash, what type of drain setup do you have? Regular, Herbie ... ?
I have done a couple designs on my overflow box and I am going to end up with a plexi cover instead of eggcrate or mesh or etc.
I was going to go with this

http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/x...d/DSC00835.jpg

But have since decided to make an acrylic cover. It won't be suspended this time; it will sit on top. It'll have tabs on the inside to keep it from sliding around.
The only things that will make it into the overflow will have to get through the teeth.