Pondering new tank and had plumbing question on 300DD tank drains and return....

[travis010]

The 300g dd that I have has 2 1" holes in each overflow.

[DavidinGA]

Originally Posted by travis010

The 300g dd that I have has 2 1" holes in each overflow.

So ya if that's right I could run two full syphon, one dry backup and one return.

[ca1ore]

Originally Posted by DavidinGA

For guys running this style of setup...why not run two siphons, one dry backup and the final 4th hole as the return? The odds of needing both reserve emergency drains would be pretty slim I would imagine.

I'm actually toying with switching to this configuration. Originally went with one siphon and two open channels because I figured one open channel wouldn't handle all the flow in the event both siphons got plugged - but that seems unlikely.

[twon8]

Originally Posted by DavidinGA

Rgulrich...

I was under the impression that the 300dd had four 1" holes, right? So what I was saying was to use a full syphon drain in each overflow and one of the overflows would have a dry emergency backup and one of the overflows would have the return.

So, left corner:
One full syphon
One dry backup


Right corner:
One drain
One return line


Their shouldn't be any stagnation issues as water will drain to the sump through both overflows.

That is basically how mine is setup but Im not using siphons, just the stock standpipe in each overflow then one return and one backup drain

[rgulrich]

@DavidinGA -
Sorry man - got my wires crossed writing the response (too many hours on the DC beltway getting home...where the heck do all these people live?). You've got it - that should work. The only detractors could be the advent of your emergency getting plugged or not being able to handle the full flow of your return if both siphons plugged. Now that said, I ran my 180 RR for years with no emergency - using a standard Durso setup (two intake) and two returns.
I'll probably end up taking that route myself at some point when I focus on plumbing again as it would certainly clean up the back side of the aquarium a bit.

Cheers,
Ray

[DavidinGA]

Thanks guys.

[WestTexasReefer]

That is how mine is set up. One overflow has a siphon and dry emergency back up the other has a drain and my return. I also have float switches in each overflow connected to a break out box to my Apex so if something clogs and either float switch closes it shuts off my return pump and sends me a text alarm.

[rgulrich]

@WestTexasReefer - Now I like that idea with float switches...I'll have to work that into my plans.

Been a long time, but I used to really enjoy my motorcycle rides from San Angelo (Goodfellow AFB) to Lubbock back in the (very) early 80's.

Ray

[DogueDeBordeaux]

Originally Posted by DavidinGA

So ya if that's right I could run two full syphon, one dry backup and one return.

I don't think this is a good idea. I would want the emergency backup drains to be able to handle 100% of the overflow.
Are you planning to merge the two siphon drains together at any point entering sump?

[DavidinGA]

Originally Posted by DogueDeBordeaux

I don't think this is a good idea. I would want the emergency backup drains to be able to handle 100% of the overflow.
Are you planning to merge the two siphon drains together at any point entering sump?

Ya I would run both drains into a single line with a gate valve in it.

I think if I added the float switches as mentioned above I'd be safe with a single emergency backup dry drain.

[DogueDeBordeaux]

Originally Posted by DavidinGA

Ya I would run both drains into a single line with a gate valve in it.

I think if I added the float switches as mentioned above I'd be safe with a single emergency backup dry drain.

You may need 2 gate valves. One on each drain to control each overflow level independently, then merge into a single larger drain to sump.

[Dapg8gt]

Imo you will be more than covered with your plan.

I'm looking at getting the DD also and in my mind I was going to do the exact thing you are thinking, my only dilemma is do I want to keep each siphon separate all the way to the sump or combine them for easier tuning with a single larger gate valve. I think having 2 separate siphons will be safer and what I will do vs merging them with a single valve, it will require double the fiddling on occasion but imo be safer( also might be a nightmare lol) .

Adding the float switches is a great idea also,That way you basically have 3 back up plans if it hits the fan. I will definitely be adding my reef angel in the mix for that =).