Advice Initial Bean Animal Startup

[Derek Khan]

Hey.. hoping to get some tips on starting up my system for the first time. ive never ran a sump or overflow box before..


I plumbed in the bean animal style overflow and drain lines and Im now ready to fill the tank and test. I didnt glue the street elbows in the overflow box because I dont know what the correct height should be and also just left the 45s going into the socks hanging because Im not sure where the water level in the sump will be.. from what I read the lines should he about 1" under the sump water level.

With that in mind.. Im just looking for any feedback/advice on initially starting the system.. getting it balanced.. getting the height of the drains right in the overflow box right, how much water to fill before starting etc.. any feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[Derek Khan]

Hoping to start it up tonight.. any tips would be great

 

[Poseidon]

take a look at my build thread if you can, i tried my best to explain the two drain lines/ full syphon and emergency on there. I would attach a link but im at work and can only get away with a few seconds here and there haha.
Your defintely on the right track!

 

[shamous113]

the original creator's website with links to reef central discussion about it. http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx

 

[zoomster]

Hi Derek.
I also run bean animal drains on ALL my tanks, they are awesome!
Yes the primary and secondary drains should be no more than 1" below the running waterline on your sump. If I may offer a suggestion here?.... on the emergency drain, leave it a couple of inches ABOVE the waterline. Most sites tell you to put it in the water as well but, If you have any clogs or problems with the first two drains hearing the water splash into the sump will tell you right away that there is a problem somewhere.
( which is very unlikely with the bean animal! )

 

[Derek Khan]

Thanks for the comments.. I cant seem to find anything online on initially starting the system and how to determine the right height for the 90s for the overflow box.

 

[shamous113]

You want the secondary siphon set about 1/2" higher than the primary the primary needs at least 1/2" clearance from the btm of the overflow box. the emergency should be below the lowest edge (bottom edge of the teeth) of the overflow so that it can kick in and maintain a safe level, I'd start at 1" and go from their.

 

[Derek Khan]

You want the secondary siphon set about 1/2" higher than the primary the primary needs at least 1/2" clearance from the btm of the overflow box. the emergency should be below the lowest edge (bottom edge of the teeth) of the overflow so that it can kick in and maintain a safe level, I'd start at 1" and go from their.

Thanks thats what I was looking for on the overflow box..

only other thing is how much to fill the tank and sump before starting