Plumbing

[Zombiex]

Been debating on changing plumbing on tank. Currently running 75 gallon reef ready. Corner overflow with 2 holes drilled in bottom. Currently have 1"dorso drain and 1" return. Thinking of changing to herbie style. 1 drain 1 emergency and running return over the side. Any oppions feed back or experience would be great. Having algae issues clogging strainer and borderline overflows are main concern for the change.

 

[gowyn]

I’m doing the exact same thing with my new to.

Additional benefit I’m hoping for is less noise too

With the return line just make sure there’s a siphon break

 

[TORX]

I agree that it is risky and your concerns are all too real. I personally like the Stockman drain pipe for a single drain though, I used it on my 30 cube and it was quiet and never failed. You can run into issues with it clogging though, I was very diligent about cleaning it. When I ran my 60 cube it had just the 2 drilled holes as well. I did not trust the single drain so I ran the herbie in it and added a HOB return. 0 issues and dead silent. 1 pipe full siphon and just trickle over the other. Lots of flow through it.

 

[MrHermit85]

I am also doing a reef ready tank. After speaking to members on here I decided to do the herbie too. I guess another point is to make sure you are running it so that your emergency can handle all the flow if main syphon line is clogged. For example if you are running it a little fast and you have water running down the emergency too. Shutting the gate completely on your siphon line can easily mimic the situation. I am also going to use a sensor incase I mess something up
My tank has a 3/4 return so mine is a little more iffy as apposed to yours which has 2 1" bulkheads.
I second the siphon break hole on your return.

 

[Zombiex]

Based on feedback i think i will be going ahead with the plumbing change. I hate to have to tear it all apart but am always worried about floods. I added the stariner after getting a snail down the pipe. Hasnt been a issue until algae outbreak. I have had it clugged within a couple days if cleaning it. Appreciate everyones feed back. Guess i have another project.

 

[Skim]

The overflow I like is one I had seen in a book. It is nothing like the traditional corner, it has min. of 2 holes on the back, spaced out evenly according to dimensions. Then an L shaped self is built with Glass the entire width of the tank. Water flows over the lip and down through the Bulk Heads on the back. The entire water surface is guaranteed to be skimmed off, no dead spots.