Herbi overflow making noise

[Palmer]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I had a bit of an "Ah Hah" moment since I have set this up wrong. I didn't understand the Herbie overflow system and just continued with what I thought was on the tank prior to my getting it. I do not have any valve on the main pipe return so no wonder I am getting noise! When seeing this system for the first time I thought the only advantage to it is the second pipe as a contingency if the first gets clogged. I didn't understand the silencing aspect of controlling the return flow from the first pipe.

So I did go out today and get a 2 " ball valve to install tommorow on the main return pipe to the sump. Based on fkshiu's comments this isn't optimal a gate valve is better?

Palmer

[kien]

Originally Posted by Palmer

Thanks for the replies everyone. I had a bit of an "Ah Hah" moment since I have set this up wrong. I didn't understand the Herbie overflow system and just continued with what I thought was on the tank prior to my getting it. I do not have any valve on the main pipe return so no wonder I am getting noise! When seeing this system for the first time I thought the only advantage to it is the second pipe as a contingency if the first gets clogged. I didn't understand the silencing aspect of controlling the return flow from the first pipe.

So I did go out today and get a 2 " ball valve to install tommorow on the main return pipe to the sump. Based on fkshiu's comments this isn't optimal a gate valve is better?

Palmer

Uh ya.. no valve on main drain means no herbie for you!

Although a ball valve can work, in the end it will just drive you insane in the membrane. So do yourself a favour and ditch the ball valve and install a gate valve as previously suggested. Otherwise you'll be back here asking why it is so difficult to control the water level of your Herbie

You didn't mention it but I still think your main drain pipe is a tad too high :-)

Looks something like this..


Notice how much higher the emergency pipe is from the main pipe. On yours, it looks like by the time the water clears the main pipe (for silencing), the water level will have reached the emergency pipe and thus will make noise in the pipe and from splashing in the sump. If you're monkeying with the plumping mind as well fix the pipes. As suggested before you could also remove the main pipe completely.

Gate valve on main drain..

[Palmer]

Thanks Kien,

I heard the advice about the main pipe loud and clear, my not commenting on changing the main pipe was intentional as I was hoping to not have to cut it since there is so little room in the overflow box to wield a saw and I didn't want to touch the bulkhead. I then noticed it was originally set up with a threaded fitting to the bulkhead in the overflow box so I could remove the main pipe completely without difficulty or then cut it once removed and reinstall if necessary.

BTW does anyone know of a good place to get a 2 " PVC gate valve in Calgary (preferably slip fitting?) I have been going to RONA and they have almost no selection on some of these fittings.

Palmer

[kien]

Red Coral should have them in stock for ya :-)

[Red Coral Aquariums]

Originally Posted by kien

Red Coral should have them in stock for ya :-)

Thanks Kien;

Yes we have them in stock slip x slip.
Kevin

[Funky_Fish14]

Definitely do NOT want to use a ball valve, hehe.

Also - for my herbies, I run them with no pipe at all, just an 'screen' over the bulkhead to stop any large matter from going through.

[Palmer]

Thanks again for the help everyone. I didn't know RC had plumbing supplies but I got a gate valve today and one of those gasket thingy's that screws into the bulkhead to trap large particulate (Removed the main pipe in the overflow and replaced with this.) Now everything is adjusted and silent!