Herbie method on a HOB overflow

Kfig7 · 06/18/2010, 08:42 AM

Has anyone used this with a hob overflow that has two drains? One drain can be fine tuned and the other used for a back up.

TheFishMan65 · 06/18/2010, 10:32 AM

People have tried. There can be problems. The siphon from the main tank to the over flow can be slow and over flow. Imagine the main drain get blocked. The level in the overflow rises so the difference in height of the tank and overflow get less. So the tank drains slower. Emergency kick in at some point. But if the water height from the tank to overflow level does not support a siphon at a fast rate then the tank is filling. The tank will overflow even though the HOB does not.

I am not saying it can't be done, just something to check. In theory is should work, but you may need a deeper than normal box in the tank to keep the height difference.

fishoutawater · 06/18/2010, 09:48 PM

I did it and had no problems. I had to make a new box for the back side for it to work though. It had 3 chambers, 2 bulkheads.

06/18/2010, 08:42 AM	#1
Kfig7 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 136	Herbie method on a HOB overflow Has anyone used this with a hob overflow that has two drains? One drain can be fine tuned and the other used for a back up.

06/18/2010, 09:48 PM	#3
fishoutawater Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: salt lake city, ut Posts: 577	I did it and had no problems. I had to make a new box for the back side for it to work though. It had 3 chambers, 2 bulkheads. __________________ 40 Breeder DIY external overflow, closed loop, skimmer, sump, dosers,.... Current Tank Info: 29gal reef w 20 gal sump/40gal reef w 20gal sump

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06/18/2010, 10:32 AM	#2
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	People have tried. There can be problems. The siphon from the main tank to the over flow can be slow and over flow. Imagine the main drain get blocked. The level in the overflow rises so the difference in height of the tank and overflow get less. So the tank drains slower. Emergency kick in at some point. But if the water height from the tank to overflow level does not support a siphon at a fast rate then the tank is filling. The tank will overflow even though the HOB does not. I am not saying it can't be done, just something to check. In theory is should work, but you may need a deeper than normal box in the tank to keep the height difference.