Herbie style overflow

Chad · #1 07-29-2008, 04:41 PM

So, my tank is plumbed and ready, I started it up and did a emergency shutoff to see if the sump handled the flow back etc. When I restarted the system, I found out that my Herbie overflow does not start back up. Instead the emergency line has to take over.

How do I get the regulated line to take over as normal during a restart of power? Or do I have to re-set it every time?

thanks!

mark · #2 07-29-2008, 05:52 PM

a Herbie is nothing more than two standpipes, one higher than the other and the lower one having a valve. Can't see why it won't start as there's no siphons etc.

Chad · #3 07-29-2008, 05:57 PM

I have a 90 degree elbow pointing down on the one which is valved.. maybe it is just trapping the air? but then, when I removed the elbow.. some air came out but it wasn't until I opened the gate valve that it started to flow again properly.

I am just not sure if it is normal for the valved line to stay un-operational until you reset it.

mark · #4 07-29-2008, 06:06 PM

not running a Herbie full time (just on my 33g QT) but never had a problem with the primary drain restarting, but then it was just a straight vertical pipe coming up from the bottom of the tank.

Could see having a down turned elbow causing a air lock.

Black Phantom · #5 07-29-2008, 08:08 PM

Sounds like trapped air to me. How close to the top of your overflow is the valve. It might be that there isn't enough water building up in the pipe after startup to push the air out.

Whatigot · #6 07-29-2008, 08:43 PM

would airline fed into the pipe solve this issue?

Nevin · #7 07-29-2008, 10:08 PM

Can you just remove the downturned elbow? If it's there to make your normal drain lower than the emergency drain then it won't work. How about an elbow turned upward on your emergency drain to make it higher instead?

Regards,
Nevin

sphelps · #8 07-29-2008, 10:29 PM

Pictures are amazing things, got any??

JDigital · #9 07-30-2008, 12:41 AM

Herbie should just be 2 straight stand pipe.. the emergency being taller than the main drain.. the main drain should be full submerged under water.

(for some reason it didn't upload vertically.. but u get the idea...

Chad · #10 07-30-2008, 05:17 AM

Ok, i will get photos tomorrow.. I did not make it vertical through the bottom.. I did it through the side. I didn't read anything that had said I could only do it completely vertically. There are atleast 2 elbows in it.