1st time Herbie Plumbing

[Kevotron]

Tank is a 180 Gallon
Drain is 1.5" and return will be 1"
I am not sure how the configuration should be
Can someone please help perhaps with a diagram to as what is needed?
I already have some elbows, 1 gate valve and couple ball valves
just dont know where they should go or how many I need

[dzhuo]

Originally Posted by Kevotron

Drain is 1.5" and return will be 1"

I will not use a Herbie if you only have a single drain. You need at least two. One primary and one emergency.

[jimmyj7090]

Second that, you cannot run a herbie without a devoted back up drain.

[Kevotron]

Ohhh sorry to misinform
i do have 2 drains...
2 x 1.5 2 x 1
are the holes that are drilled in my overflow, i get the basic concepts of it... one drain is made to only be used if main is clogged...
but i am just confused to as what "parts" i need to complete the plumbing... since theres so many users i see here with like 5+ union/ball valves etc etc
i just dont wanna plumb it myself and end up saying to myself "oh %&@^ i messed up"

[Hal]

The minimum "equipment" that you need to run a Herbie is two drains-holes, one gate valve, and two standpipes. A third hole for your return is highly recommended, although not mandatory as some people just run the return externally up the backside of the tank.

Here's the thread. You don't need to read the whole thing as 70% of the posts are people asking the same questions or commenting how well it works for them.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=344892

As far as union valves go, you really don't need them if you can otherwise disconnect your plumbing from the bulkhead, e.g., if you have a slip on nipple that holds your piping. Personally I recommend union valves as it just makes things so much easier. Obviously if your PVC piping is cemented onto your bulkhead or if you use threaded PVC and bulkheads then union valves are a great idea.

Use a gate valve, not a ball valve. Gate valves are more finely adjustable, and you'll need that to adjust your "siphon" line in the Herbie. If your local hardware store doesn't carry them I recommend www.savko.com for plumbing supplies.

[dzhuo]

Originally Posted by Kevotron

since theres so many users i see here with like 5+ union/ball valves etc etc
i just dont wanna plumb it myself and end up saying to myself "oh %&@^ i messed up"

Once you understand the concept of a Herbie, the plumbing part is fairly straight forward. I will try to simply the plumbing part:

1. The primary drain - All you need is a gate valve which allows you to fine tune the drain capacity.
2. Emergency drain - You don't need any gate or ball valve if you don't want to. Just plumb it down the sump.
3. The return - Put a gate valve so you can fine tune the flow to match roughly the primary drain. You want to tune the return flow to be slightly greater than the primary drain so the water level in the overflow box to be high enough to maintain a full siphon. Don't worry if the water level in the overflow is slightly increasing. As more water sits in the overflow box with greater depth, the siphon will be stronger (because of the extra pressure) and eventually balance out. Other users just let a little bit of water coming down the emergency drain which is fine as well.

The union is optional but highly recommended but not a requirement for Herbie. It's just there so you can easily take apart the plumbing for cleaning etc. You should use them even if you are not using a Herbie. So really, all you need is 2 gate valves and a few optional unions.

In your case, I would use the 2 1.5" as drains - one as primary and one as emergency. Use one of the 1" as return. The other 1" is up to you or you can just plug it up for now.