Herbie or Beananimal Overflow?

Prairedog · 04/05/2014, 10:42 AM

Hi everyone, I'm thinking of having a custom built aquarium done for me. I only will be going with a 180 gallon 72"x 24" x 24" because of space and money. Anyway I want to have an external overflow box built onto the back of the aquarium with either the back glass notched out for the flow into the box or drill several holes and have it flow in that way. Anyway just wondering what people would recommend for the overflow system. Would it be sufficient to go with a herbie style or is a beananimal a better alternative and would 1"Pvc be okay or would it be better to go 1.5" Pvc. If someone could give me some guidance on this or show me some illustrations or pictures of there systems, I would sure appreciate it. Thanks!

asudavew · 04/05/2014, 12:14 PM

Bean Animal IMHO.
Do some reading and use the standard install.
I like the safety of the 3rd overflow pipe, and since your building an external box why not?
Is use 1.5 inch. What return pump?

I think Herbie is usually reserved for "reef ready" tanks, but I could be wrong.

SGT_York · 04/05/2014, 12:21 PM

A herbie is used on a reef ready tank, there is no reason to design a setup with one, the major difference is the C2C overflow which is highly recommendable. as you are going external box you can make the internal overflow very skinny 1/4" wide. The only other significant difference is the third dry emergency is well worth the effort.

A herbie has no benefits over a bean animal on a custom or designed tank.

Breadman03 · 04/05/2014, 12:31 PM

I went Herbie on my standard 75 because it only has 2 holes. Custom build==BeanAnimal, all the way. That extra safety factor is worth it, IMO.

hogfanreefer · 04/05/2014, 02:42 PM

There are some manufacturers that have three returns in the overflow. I would assume because of what has been discussed on RC in the Bean Animal thread. So Herbie isn't for all standard tanks. :-)

I agree with the above, if you're custom building it anyway the cost of one more hole and the PVC necessary to plumb it is nothing. May be over kill but it gives me a lot of peace of mind and is dead dog quiet.

Prairedog · 04/05/2014, 03:04 PM

Thanks Breadmam03, SGT. York, and asudavew! I'm new to the saltwater hobby, but have been doing freshwater for over 20 years. I finally got enough nerve, to do a saltwater setup, and of course I want to go with the reef setup, there just beautiful. So anyway I had a used 155 bowfront made by All-Glass, it has dual internal corner overflows, it also has the factory plastic trim and 3 cross braces across the top, but it also has some scratches on the front glass. I want a more open top aquarium with perimeter glass bracing and the external overflow, so that is why I will probably do a custom build. I am hoping I can sell this aquarium and help pay some of the new build. I've spent a ton of money already gathering all my items for this type of setup, so I may as well do it right. I knew it was going to be pricey going saltwater, if you want the better products, and top of the line stuff. But I'm in this far now, so there's no turning back. I live in Central Canada in a city called Saskatoon, we have a quality lfs here, but with the Internet, it's no problem getting whatever you want, so I've had no problem that way. Hope to get this setup going by summer, doing some house reno's at the same time, so will see how it goes. But I'm not in a hurry, because as they say " Nothing Good Ever Happens Fast" in this Hobby! I want to thank all of you for your comments, because learning from people who have the experience and time put in this hobby already is irreplaceable. Thanks Again!

04/05/2014, 10:42 AM	#1
Prairedog Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 7	Herbie or Beananimal Overflow? Hi everyone, I'm thinking of having a custom built aquarium done for me. I only will be going with a 180 gallon 72"x 24" x 24" because of space and money. Anyway I want to have an external overflow box built onto the back of the aquarium with either the back glass notched out for the flow into the box or drill several holes and have it flow in that way. Anyway just wondering what people would recommend for the overflow system. Would it be sufficient to go with a herbie style or is a beananimal a better alternative and would 1"Pvc be okay or would it be better to go 1.5" Pvc. If someone could give me some guidance on this or show me some illustrations or pictures of there systems, I would sure appreciate it. Thanks! Last edited by Prairedog; 04/05/2014 at 10:44 AM. Reason: Spelling error

04/05/2014, 12:14 PM	#2
asudavew Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 1,010	Bean Animal IMHO. Do some reading and use the standard install. I like the safety of the 3rd overflow pipe, and since your building an external box why not? Is use 1.5 inch. What return pump? I think Herbie is usually reserved for "reef ready" tanks, but I could be wrong. __________________ Be nice. Current Tank Info: 180, 125, 75

04/05/2014, 02:42 PM	#5
hogfanreefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 2,117	There are some manufacturers that have three returns in the overflow. I would assume because of what has been discussed on RC in the Bean Animal thread. So Herbie isn't for all standard tanks. :-) I agree with the above, if you're custom building it anyway the cost of one more hole and the PVC necessary to plumb it is nothing. May be over kill but it gives me a lot of peace of mind and is dead dog quiet. __________________ DSA 155,Custom Trigger 42" sump/refugium, MP40 X2, MP 10 X 2, AI Hydra 52 X3, Apex controller, Tunze ATO Current Tank Info: DSA 155 gallon, mixed reef, SPS and wrasse dominant

04/05/2014, 12:21 PM	#3
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	A herbie is used on a reef ready tank, there is no reason to design a setup with one, the major difference is the C2C overflow which is highly recommendable. as you are going external box you can make the internal overflow very skinny 1/4" wide. The only other significant difference is the third dry emergency is well worth the effort. A herbie has no benefits over a bean animal on a custom or designed tank.

04/05/2014, 12:31 PM	#4
Breadman03 New Old School Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Luzerne County, PA Posts: 3,293	I went Herbie on my standard 75 because it only has 2 holes. Custom build==BeanAnimal, all the way. That extra safety factor is worth it, IMO.

04/05/2014, 03:04 PM	#6
Prairedog Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 7	Thanks Breadmam03, SGT. York, and asudavew! I'm new to the saltwater hobby, but have been doing freshwater for over 20 years. I finally got enough nerve, to do a saltwater setup, and of course I want to go with the reef setup, there just beautiful. So anyway I had a used 155 bowfront made by All-Glass, it has dual internal corner overflows, it also has the factory plastic trim and 3 cross braces across the top, but it also has some scratches on the front glass. I want a more open top aquarium with perimeter glass bracing and the external overflow, so that is why I will probably do a custom build. I am hoping I can sell this aquarium and help pay some of the new build. I've spent a ton of money already gathering all my items for this type of setup, so I may as well do it right. I knew it was going to be pricey going saltwater, if you want the better products, and top of the line stuff. But I'm in this far now, so there's no turning back. I live in Central Canada in a city called Saskatoon, we have a quality lfs here, but with the Internet, it's no problem getting whatever you want, so I've had no problem that way. Hope to get this setup going by summer, doing some house reno's at the same time, so will see how it goes. But I'm not in a hurry, because as they say " Nothing Good Ever Happens Fast" in this Hobby! I want to thank all of you for your comments, because learning from people who have the experience and time put in this hobby already is irreplaceable. Thanks Again!