herbie setup
 

anybody got pictures of there herbie setup

This is probably not very helpfull to you but here is a picture of my ghettorific frag tank overflow with herbie. The short one has the gate valve. The plumbing is all just jury rigged with vinyl tubing for easy breakdown and reset. No leaks or problems believe it or not.

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1id4sjkh.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/...psckiomlmo.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/...psoa749oew.jpg

Here is where I located my gate valve

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/...psmnktggho.jpg

herbie setup
 

Just wondering if there's a rule of thumb when setting up a herbie overflow - the drain pipe and emergency overflow pipe.

There's a 4" difference between my drain vs emergency overflow pipe.

Ive read 6in is ideal between drain and emergency. I found the "gmca reef" website quite helpful. It's easy to understand and has simple pictures.

The required distance is a direct relation to how much flow there is. The main drain needs to be low enough that it doesn't create a vortex at the surface and suck air in. I make the main drain as high as possible. The lower it is, the more water drains to the sump when the return pump is off.

Exactly. It is also good to have lots of capacity in the return section of your sump to handle these level variations so water doesn't back up and mess with the skimmer and to give a little extra leeway so there is less chance pumps run dry and burn up if there is a problem with the ATO or reservoir or whatever.