Want to change my overflow (Herbie Question)

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

This was the idea anyways...

[untamed]

I really didn't understand your idea until you drew it. Now that I see it, I really dislike this idea a lot (sorry).

1) IF....IF..you got the water level to where you describe and you were drawing from the surface...there is a great liklihood that you will suck air into the primary drain which defeats much/all of the Herbie's benefits.

2) It is VERY likely that you will suck all kinds of things directly into the primary drain. If you put a screen over the drain, you'll have to deal with the screen plugging up and the changes in flow that will create as the screen plugs.

3) If you shortened the primary standpipe, you could solve the problem mentioned in #1, but now you have a submerged pipe with great suction...that can only be trouble for inhabitants. With no surface skimming, you are going to get scum formation the surface, almost regardless of how much your circulation is in the tank.

Nope...I do not think this is a good idea at all.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by untamed

I really didn't understand your idea until you drew it. Now that I see it, I really dislike this idea a lot (sorry).

1) IF....IF..you got the water level to where you describe and you were drawing from the surface...there is a great liklihood that you will suck air into the primary drain which defeats much/all of the Herbie's benefits.

2) It is VERY likely that you will suck all kinds of things directly into the primary drain. If you put a screen over the drain, you'll have to deal with the screen plugging up and the changes in flow that will create as the screen plugs.

3) If you shortened the primary standpipe, you could solve the problem mentioned in #1, but now you have a submerged pipe with great suction...that can only be trouble for inhabitants. With no surface skimming, you are going to get scum formation the surface, almost regardless of how much your circulation is in the tank.

Nope...I do not think this is a good idea at all.

Yeah I agree that its a terrible idea. LOL. I am looking into other ways of dealing with the ugly overflow at this point.

Thanks everyone!

[spoot]

Here's what's I'm talking about Justin:

The reducing coupling will keep the water level where you want it, and you can still have a fully submerged drain. Kinda like this, http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1225992 but you will be dialing in the flow.

[dsaundry]

Think I see what you want and so long as it is set up to break the siphon should a power failure occur it looks fine if your tank is plumbed for it. Just make sure you calculate your water drainage should you lose power to the pump....

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by dsaundry

Think I see what you want and so long as it is set up to break the siphon should a power failure occur it looks fine if your tank is plumbed for it. Just make sure you calculate your water drainage should you lose power to the pump....

Yeah thats another thing I had not thought of. Thanks.

I still don't think I will do it but man I want to!

Spoot...Im still not too sure how that would work in this case? Will it really keep the water level constant?

[spoot]

It should keep the water level constant at the top of the coupling, theorectically. I have not tried this though.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by spoot

It should keep the water level constant at the top of the coupling, theorectically. I have not tried this though.

Ok but Im not sure I understand how you intend to use the coupling? Can you draw something real quick?

Im still interested in figuring out a way to do this if possible.

[spoot]

Hey, I attached it to one of my messages. It's like 4 messages back.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Sorry didn't see that

Yeah that seems like it would work...just a mini little overflow. I have seen someone do that kind of thing and made it with teeth too.