Anyone using herbie overflow ?

[Abbyreefer]

Geez !! Gate valves are pricey. Holy smokes batman . I might try again tonight fiddling with the ball valve to get it right before I go out and spend 40 bux with taxes on a gate valve. I do like how quiet it is with the Herbie though so if thats what it come down to the so be it.

[untamed]

Yes, unfortunately a gate valve is your answer. There are some pretty inexpensive ones to be found if you look. My system has 4 different Herbie overflows.

[Abbyreefer]

Untamed - Where did you get your gate valves ?

[fishytime]

I wouldnt plumb in a herbie without a gate valve....with a ball valve even if you get it set perfectly, the first time a piece of algae gets caught on it, it will need tweaking. With a gate you can minutely turn it to fine tune your water level. Save yourself the frustration and buy a gate.

[Ryan]

Speaking of stuff getting caught up in your gate vavle how often do you have to clean it.

[fishytime]

Stuff doesnt get caught in the gate valve....stuff will get caught in the strainer fitting on your primary drain...I just have my emergency drain open at the top. I usually clean my strainer fitting, if not every week, then every other week. Some people just screw a strainer directly into the primary drain bulkhead, I have mine in a fitting half way up the overflow so I can reach it better.

[e46er]

never had a herbie set up but being in a piping trade i can tell you gate valves were designed for fine adjustments ball valves were designed for wide open or closed and do not work well for adjustments

[Pazil]

X2

Originally Posted by fishytime

i wouldnt plumb in a herbie without a gate valve....with a ball valve even if you get it set perfectly, the first time a piece of algae gets caught on it, it will need tweaking. With a gate you can minutely turn it to fine tune your water level. Save yourself the frustration and buy a gate.

[Myka]

www.bulkreefsupply.com has really good prices on gate valves (and lots of other stuff too).

[iansfishy]

anyone know where to find plans on building a herbie? Ive looked, cant find anything. OK I didnt look that hard, but help would be nice. Sorry to jack your thread!