Can you herbie a Tech tank?

bamf25 · 02/08/2011, 04:20 PM

I just got an Oceanic 120 tech tank, that I got used. This tank has 2 overflows and two returns, all in one center overflow box. The returns are currently plumbed to two swirls. The return pump is a mag 9.5. The overflows are 2 x 1 inch pvc into a 40 gallon sump. So is it possible to do the herbie system using one of the overflows as the main overflow and the second as the backup as herbie described, keeping the returns as they currently are? Or would that limit the flow too much? I know as stock the tank overflow is rated as 1200 gph, but the plumbing is not the original Oceanic plumbing, it was redone with 2 ajustable stantion pipes that are currently durso style.

johnnyb05 · 02/08/2011, 06:36 PM

if you do that you may have to valve down the output of your main pump. if you want more circulation add a 2nd seperate system (closed loop, ecotech vortech). otherwise i dont see a problem. i have dual overflow box, one has a gate valve to backup the flow. and the other is an emergency line. its quiet, works good, its simple and cheap. i have been using this setup for 11 years no problems.

bamf25 · 02/08/2011, 07:44 PM

As it is plumbed, the return pipes are 3/4 inch pvc that is split so the one pump feeds the 2 returns. Each return line has a separate ball valve. I decided to plumg the overflows slightly different than the original owner and have added ball valves to those overflows. The original owner had a separate refuge pump and line, I want to T a smaller feeder line off of one of the overflows to drain into the fuge area of the sump. I am trying to cut down on the energy draw of the system slightly. So my "new" plumbing has 2 x 1 inch overflows with ball valves of which one has a 3/4 inch feeder branching off with its own valve to feed the fuge. The original owner did have the tank plumbed this way originally, but later changed it (not sure why, he said it worked fine that way). I also wanted to save the extra pump to use for a possible reactor pump later if needed.

They mag 9.5 is rated around 900 gph and with plumbing and head hieght will likely do around 700 in my setup.

02/08/2011, 04:20 PM	#1
bamf25 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,419	Can you herbie a Tech tank? I just got an Oceanic 120 tech tank, that I got used. This tank has 2 overflows and two returns, all in one center overflow box. The returns are currently plumbed to two swirls. The return pump is a mag 9.5. The overflows are 2 x 1 inch pvc into a 40 gallon sump. So is it possible to do the herbie system using one of the overflows as the main overflow and the second as the backup as herbie described, keeping the returns as they currently are? Or would that limit the flow too much? I know as stock the tank overflow is rated as 1200 gph, but the plumbing is not the original Oceanic plumbing, it was redone with 2 ajustable stantion pipes that are currently durso style.

02/08/2011, 07:44 PM	#3
bamf25 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,419	As it is plumbed, the return pipes are 3/4 inch pvc that is split so the one pump feeds the 2 returns. Each return line has a separate ball valve. I decided to plumg the overflows slightly different than the original owner and have added ball valves to those overflows. The original owner had a separate refuge pump and line, I want to T a smaller feeder line off of one of the overflows to drain into the fuge area of the sump. I am trying to cut down on the energy draw of the system slightly. So my "new" plumbing has 2 x 1 inch overflows with ball valves of which one has a 3/4 inch feeder branching off with its own valve to feed the fuge. The original owner did have the tank plumbed this way originally, but later changed it (not sure why, he said it worked fine that way). I also wanted to save the extra pump to use for a possible reactor pump later if needed. They mag 9.5 is rated around 900 gph and with plumbing and head hieght will likely do around 700 in my setup. Last edited by bamf25; 02/08/2011 at 07:53 PM.

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02/08/2011, 06:36 PM	#2
johnnyb05 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 78	if you do that you may have to valve down the output of your main pump. if you want more circulation add a 2nd seperate system (closed loop, ecotech vortech). otherwise i dont see a problem. i have dual overflow box, one has a gate valve to backup the flow. and the other is an emergency line. its quiet, works good, its simple and cheap. i have been using this setup for 11 years no problems.