I've had 3 inches of sand bed run across the tank all leveled, that only last a few days. I don't think it matters how thick your sand bed is, they will find a way and your rocks your tumble. Just be careful!

Ya the tank has my undivided attention for a while (unless there is a poker game)

As an update I managed to get a hold of 50lbs of dry rock that is currently soaking and I will be checking in with a LFS because they have a new shipment of L.R coming in the next two days. I am going to fine tune a few things in the mean time and I will post some pics soon......

An thanks for the heads up about the rocks. I will definitely have that in mind when I do my structure

So after a fantastic meeting with reefwars this afternoon I came home and turned my 20db tank into a careless whisper!! He set me straight on how to get my overflow performing properly and I was even able to increase my flow. I also took his advise an installed a gate valve on my return. I did have to silicone around the hole in my over flow where my pump return comes out. I performed a power failure test and failed! (Of course I had a container and back up pump ready to go). Pics bellow of new set up

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/06/nyruzyvu.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/06/6e8egape.jpg

Hey Spencer,

It looks as though you've installed the gate valve on your overflow. I think Denny meant to have you put it on the return; being the return after your return pump in your sump. I'm also curious as to why a gate valve on the return? Most people do a ball valve after the return pump.

I'm also looking at the siphon line on one of your stand pipes. Are you running a beananimal overflow? I don't see a third standpipe? Maybe I just can't see it?

nope gate on drain , hes got it right;)

Why a gate on the drain? If he's setup a Herbie he wouldn't want to restrict flow. If he setup a beananimal he would only restrict flow on the main siphon. It seems a strange place to put it. How many drains does he have?

I think plumbing is my favorite part of this hobby. I've plumbed my tank 3 different times now. I may be looking at a fourth time but we'll see. :mrgreen:

I'm interested to learn something new here perhaps.

He's clearly got two drains, one with a gate valve and the other as back up, basic herbie overflow. All is normal here :biggrin:

Looking good bud!

Thanks for the clairificaiton sphelps. So with the gate valve on the main drain, would his backup drain produce a very low flow as well? Hence the reason for the siphon pipe on the top and the gate valve?

Yep looks like a standard herbie to me too, you will love it. Silent once dialed in