Plumbing help - "can I do this?"

FlamesFan · 03/10/2008, 08:09 PM

I am currently using the herbie overflow. As far as the overflow goes, its amazing. Completely silent, no waterfall noise, no gurgle. My issue is UNDER my tank. I currently have a "T" in my plumbing that sends 25% of my water to my fuge and 75% to my sump. My problem is on the line to the sump im getting a release of air and a quick girgle for 2 seconds every few minutes or so. I am wondering why this is happening since no air is getting in from the overflow. To correct this problem would drilling a small air hole at the TOP of the pipe where the problem is to allow air to escape be a bad idea? Would water squirt out? Currently there return is a 1" pipe that eventually ends up being 1-1/2 inches shortly after the bulkhead of the tank. There should be no preasure in the line that would cause it to squirt out.

Im no plumbing pro so sorry if I sound like a dumb lamen

Pics:

The herbie overflow from the top:

The plumbing shot from the inside:
lol

Very sorry for the poor quality, I can't figure out how to take decent pics with my camera close ups

FlamesFan · 03/10/2008, 08:12 PM

Sorry to add more. If my return lines are submerged under water inside the fuge and inside the sump would it cause this? I figured I should have them about 1" under the water to help prevent the "splash" noise when the water drains into its sections. If thats the easy its a simple fix to cut the pipes shorter and out of the water.

FlamesFan · 03/10/2008, 10:30 PM

bump any suggestions?

Icefire · 03/10/2008, 10:47 PM

What is the size of your return pump and the size of you drain? look like your drain is undersized if you get full siphon every few minutes.

FlamesFan · 03/10/2008, 10:54 PM

I have a reflow snapper, but I am able to throttle it back with ease.

I also throttle back the return line. The herbie overflow system is a direct siphon. Im not sure if it is the GPH causing it, but more a flaw in my plumbing design. I'd love to try drilling a small hole in the pipe to allow the air to escape where it wants to instead of being forced out but I don't know if it would cause water to spray out of the hole instead of water. There's no preasure in that pipe but im no expert plumber so im reluctant to drill an unreversable hole.

ThrowinRoost89 · 03/11/2008, 12:55 AM

air shouldnt even be endering the drain line

try closing one of the drain lines a tad. the water may be draining slightly faster, and allowing the siphon to break for a second.

or maybe you have a hole in a drain connection, have any salt creep on a glues connection?

i dont get any burps or anything from mine. i have a pipe running between my 2 drains.

03/10/2008, 08:09 PM	#1
FlamesFan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 378	Plumbing help - "can I do this?" I am currently using the herbie overflow. As far as the overflow goes, its amazing. Completely silent, no waterfall noise, no gurgle. My issue is UNDER my tank. I currently have a "T" in my plumbing that sends 25% of my water to my fuge and 75% to my sump. My problem is on the line to the sump im getting a release of air and a quick girgle for 2 seconds every few minutes or so. I am wondering why this is happening since no air is getting in from the overflow. To correct this problem would drilling a small air hole at the TOP of the pipe where the problem is to allow air to escape be a bad idea? Would water squirt out? Currently there return is a 1" pipe that eventually ends up being 1-1/2 inches shortly after the bulkhead of the tank. There should be no preasure in the line that would cause it to squirt out. Im no plumbing pro so sorry if I sound like a dumb lamen Pics: The herbie overflow from the top: The plumbing shot from the inside: lol Very sorry for the poor quality, I can't figure out how to take decent pics with my camera close ups

03/10/2008, 10:47 PM	#4
Icefire Seasoned reefer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,653	What is the size of your return pump and the size of you drain? look like your drain is undersized if you get full siphon every few minutes. __________________ Temp 80F, PH 8.5-8.0, Alk 6.8-7.2, Ca 430, Mg 1700, NO3 0-0.25, PO4 0.04, 34.4 PPT Lights @ 100% all others, 35% White Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 120lbs live rocks, Hydra52 2x120W, 2 MP40+ 1 MP10 @ 70%, Phosban 550 GFO+Carbon, 200W Heater, SWC Skimmer, Kalk ATO, 150 gpd RODI

03/11/2008, 12:55 AM	#6
ThrowinRoost89 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbia Station, OH Posts: 382	air shouldnt even be endering the drain line try closing one of the drain lines a tad. the water may be draining slightly faster, and allowing the siphon to break for a second. or maybe you have a hole in a drain connection, have any salt creep on a glues connection? i dont get any burps or anything from mine. i have a pipe running between my 2 drains. __________________ ~Hate What Own's You~ Current Tank Info: 120g reef...... WITH A TANG IN IT!!!! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

03/10/2008, 08:12 PM	#2
FlamesFan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 378	Sorry to add more. If my return lines are submerged under water inside the fuge and inside the sump would it cause this? I figured I should have them about 1" under the water to help prevent the "splash" noise when the water drains into its sections. If thats the easy its a simple fix to cut the pipes shorter and out of the water.

03/10/2008, 10:30 PM	#3
FlamesFan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 378	bump any suggestions?

03/10/2008, 10:54 PM	#5
FlamesFan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 378	I have a reflow snapper, but I am able to throttle it back with ease. I also throttle back the return line. The herbie overflow system is a direct siphon. Im not sure if it is the GPH causing it, but more a flaw in my plumbing design. I'd love to try drilling a small hole in the pipe to allow the air to escape where it wants to instead of being forced out but I don't know if it would cause water to spray out of the hole instead of water. There's no preasure in that pipe but im no expert plumber so im reluctant to drill an unreversable hole.