Overflow Plumbing

[ZapataInc]

Hey guys and gals, So i just got a 90gal tank that im trying to setup. The over flow currently has four holes, two for what I believe is setup like a Bean overflow but no emergency pipe. The other two, which are the outside holes are the return pipes. I really want to have an emergency pipe. Should I take away a return for the emergency pipe and stick with the Bean or go with a Herbie setup and keep the other two for the return?

 

[Rickdareefa]

I always make an emergency overflow if only 2 holes. You know I own a 2nd floor condo. If there's a catastrophe I'm responsible for damage done downstairs. I usually run a durso standpipe with a straight pipe for emergency. Then put a gate valve under the durso under the tank to quiet down the noise. I then run a hang on back style return. Works great gimme a call if you need help I can stop by after work this week.

 

[Rickdareefa]

Forgot to add make your return doesn't create a siphon! I don't bother with check valves I feel they are unreliable and need cleaning every now and then to work properly.either make sure it's on the tip top of the display or just drill 3 small holes in the return immediately below the water surface

 

[bzb]

Hey guys and gals, So i just got a 90gal tank that im trying to setup. The over flow currently has four holes, two for what I believe is setup like a Bean overflow but no emergency pipe. The other two, which are the outside holes are the return pipes. I really want to have an emergency pipe. Should I take away a return for the emergency pipe and stick with the Bean or go with a Herbie setup and keep the other two for the return?

Haha - seems like we're doing almost the exact same setup!

I only have two holes drilled in mine, 1" and 3/4". I'm considering doing the hang-on-back return as well, but I sure liked the idea of the clean setup through the bottom.

I think the emergency drain is more important than the aesthetics of the back that you can't even see in my setup, though.

 

[Steve Burton]

Mine only had a 1" and a 3/4" too, i used those for primary (3/4", full siphon w/gate valve) and secondary (1", trickle), and I drilled the back to put another 1" in the overflow section for emergency drain. I also drilled two holes for return but over the top would serve as well.

 

[bzb]

Those unions seem excessive

Looks good! I think I’m just going to load up on powerheads and do the single return up the back in the center. The segmented, sectional hose still the standard for returns?

 

[Steve Burton]

"Those unions seem excessive"

They make plumbing so much easier, and better to have and not need ...
I read somewhere that you can't have too many

 

[bzb]

TIL this forum doesn’t copy over the lol emoji very well.