Need help with plumbing overflow.....

lg7228 · 07/26/2012, 02:00 PM

I have recently acquired a 90 GAL. tank with a corner over flow. I was a little bit confused on how the overflow was set up.

The down flow pipe is really low and not sure if this is good or bad. The return side has a bulkhead that is tightened and is very hard to remove. Aside from not being able to remove it, it moves around the whole that was drilled pretty freely.

I am beginning to think this is going to be a nightmare (maybe just being a drama queen).

This is the overflow from the top.

Under overflow.

Downflow pipe

If there is something wrong here or any suggestions as to what I can do please let me know.

Thank you.

P.S.

If there is anyone in Homestead, FL available to come check it out

...

Mavrk · 07/26/2012, 02:41 PM

Looks to me like they were running a Herbie overflow. The pipe in there would be the main drain and the pipe underneath would have to go under water. The other one would be used as an emergency drain. The return would come up and over the back of the tank. Either that or they had a serious waterfall going in the overflow. I suggest going with a Herbie as they are silent. Just do a search.

Seagals · 07/26/2012, 05:48 PM

something doesnt look right, i have done allot of research on the herbie method and i thought thier were supposed to be 2 pipes, as stated in previous post but the photo only shows 1 with other sealed. Also, i thought the pipes for herbie need to be like an 1" or so below the top of the overflow and the emergency an 1" higher. Also, because you have a corner tank, you will need to pull the tank away from the wall to allow the returns to be run outside the tank.

thegrun · 07/26/2012, 07:00 PM

One thing I would do for sure is enlarge the holes in the plywood stand. It would be nearly impossible to tighten the bulkheads with the plywood openig so small. I've never seen a drain that looked like yours, fill the tank with tap water and see how well it works.

lg7228 · 07/27/2012, 11:15 AM

@ Seagals the one that looks sealed is not sealed. It is just the bulkhead by its self. The pipe that was there was the return pipe with a Y at the top.

@ thegrun- Good idea! I will be making that modification to the wood soon.

Thanks guys

Seagals · 07/27/2012, 02:37 PM

@lg2788, Are you going for a herbie overflow?, I ask because I have same tank and would like top follow your progress.

lg7228 · 07/27/2012, 02:44 PM

If I can manage to get the bulkhead out and the other pipe out to replace it with something longer, I will go with the herbie. If not I will have to improvise.

07/26/2012, 02:00 PM	#1
lg7228 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Homestead, FL Posts: 83	Need help with plumbing overflow..... I have recently acquired a 90 GAL. tank with a corner over flow. I was a little bit confused on how the overflow was set up. The down flow pipe is really low and not sure if this is good or bad. The return side has a bulkhead that is tightened and is very hard to remove. Aside from not being able to remove it, it moves around the whole that was drilled pretty freely. I am beginning to think this is going to be a nightmare (maybe just being a drama queen). This is the overflow from the top. Under overflow. Downflow pipe If there is something wrong here or any suggestions as to what I can do please let me know. Thank you. P.S. If there is anyone in Homestead, FL available to come check it out ...

07/26/2012, 02:41 PM	#2
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	Looks to me like they were running a Herbie overflow. The pipe in there would be the main drain and the pipe underneath would have to go under water. The other one would be used as an emergency drain. The return would come up and over the back of the tank. Either that or they had a serious waterfall going in the overflow. I suggest going with a Herbie as they are silent. Just do a search.

07/26/2012, 05:48 PM	#3
Seagals Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: USA Posts: 127	something doesnt look right, i have done allot of research on the herbie method and i thought thier were supposed to be 2 pipes, as stated in previous post but the photo only shows 1 with other sealed. Also, i thought the pipes for herbie need to be like an 1" or so below the top of the overflow and the emergency an 1" higher. Also, because you have a corner tank, you will need to pull the tank away from the wall to allow the returns to be run outside the tank.

07/26/2012, 07:00 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	One thing I would do for sure is enlarge the holes in the plywood stand. It would be nearly impossible to tighten the bulkheads with the plywood openig so small. I've never seen a drain that looked like yours, fill the tank with tap water and see how well it works.

07/27/2012, 11:15 AM	#5
lg7228 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Homestead, FL Posts: 83	@ Seagals the one that looks sealed is not sealed. It is just the bulkhead by its self. The pipe that was there was the return pipe with a Y at the top. @ thegrun- Good idea! I will be making that modification to the wood soon. Thanks guys

07/27/2012, 02:37 PM	#6
Seagals Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: USA Posts: 127	@lg2788, Are you going for a herbie overflow?, I ask because I have same tank and would like top follow your progress.

07/27/2012, 02:44 PM	#7
lg7228 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Homestead, FL Posts: 83	If I can manage to get the bulkhead out and the other pipe out to replace it with something longer, I will go with the herbie. If not I will have to improvise.