Herbie style question

Kardjunkie · 04/16/2016, 07:30 AM

I am planning on using a Herbie setup on my over flow. It is an older reef ready tank with 1" and 3/4" bulkheads. Planning on using 1" as the emergency. From all my reading the lines should run into the sump at approximately 1" below the water line in the sump with a strainer on the tank side. Does this mean sock filters should not be used on Herbies? Is the strainer the the only method of then filtering out larger particles in the water? Is okay to put a sponge over the strainer then to filter smaller particles?

Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WWIII · 04/16/2016, 07:42 AM

You can put any of the above on your drains if you want to, they won't be a problem. I just use strainers to keep the fish out if they decide to take an adventure to my overflow. If I were to add one or the other (sponge or socks) I would use sock filters on the drains. They are gonna hold a lot more gunk, and if they get so clogged up and nasty they will not mess up the balance of the herbie design. The sponge on top of strainer idea seems like it would be a huge pain and would probably require cleaning daily to keep flow the same.

Kardjunkie · 04/16/2016, 07:50 AM

I guess that is where I am confused. With the drain into the sump. Several articles say to keep the drains in the sump at least 1" below water level so the sock must be down in the sump water level also? Sorry just a little confused on that point. Plus my sump, bought used super cheap, doesn't have a sock holder. I really didn't want to use a foam on the strainer but the used setup came with a foam filter on the drain in the sump. Thanks. I will look into a a add on sock holder but the one I have looked at would have the drain higher than the water level. Would this even matter? Most articles talk this is to maintain suction, wouldn't you lose suction in not below the water level in the sump?

Again thanks, trying to learn this but this just keeps me a little confusion as I have never set up something like this.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WWIII · 04/16/2016, 08:03 AM

No it sucks from the top, in the overflow. If it isn't 1 inch down in the sump water it will just be loud and could possibly create bubbles. I don't currently use socks, but I don't see why you couldn't have the drain going down into the sock below the water level 1 inch. U could probably use a sock holder or I have seen some that are just tied off to stay in place. I'm sure someone that uses socks on their herbie will chime in, but the syphon will do its thing no matter where or how high/low it is discharged into the sump, it just is ideal to have it 1 inch below because the water isn't crashing down making noise and at the same time any air can be purged easily to help the syphon get going faster/better. For instance if the drain is set 6 inches below sump water level and u turn off return pump, when the pump is turned back on there will be air in the system initially and will have a harder time being pushed out that deep into the water/sump. Hope some of that makes sense? I'm sure someone who uses socks will give their advice soon!

Kardjunkie · 04/16/2016, 08:41 AM

If your not using a filter sock, which I would rather do cheaper and easier, how do you keep filter large particles out of the water?

And thank you so much for the response, very much appreciated.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ca1ore · 04/16/2016, 10:17 AM

Strainer on the top of the drain is not for particulate removal, it is to prevent occlusion of the pipe with with something like a snail. You can certainly use filter socks on the sump end of the drain, just don't cinch them round the pipe so that the water has a place to go as the sock clogs. Do not put anything on the top of the drain that will clog, ever.

Kardjunkie · 04/16/2016, 10:32 AM

I get all this now I think and my question becomes, how can I do a Herbie without filter socks and filter particles in the drain?

Thanks everybody just trying to figure it all out and you all have been very helpful.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04/16/2016, 07:30 AM	#1
Kardjunkie Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 128	Herbie style question I am planning on using a Herbie setup on my over flow. It is an older reef ready tank with 1" and 3/4" bulkheads. Planning on using 1" as the emergency. From all my reading the lines should run into the sump at approximately 1" below the water line in the sump with a strainer on the tank side. Does this mean sock filters should not be used on Herbies? Is the strainer the the only method of then filtering out larger particles in the water? Is okay to put a sponge over the strainer then to filter smaller particles? Thanks Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ "Never memorize something that you can look up." - Albert Einstein ...and he didn't even have google! Current Tank Info: BioCube 29 with InTank Media Basket - Building 75 gallon bow front

04/16/2016, 07:50 AM	#3
Kardjunkie Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 128	I guess that is where I am confused. With the drain into the sump. Several articles say to keep the drains in the sump at least 1" below water level so the sock must be down in the sump water level also? Sorry just a little confused on that point. Plus my sump, bought used super cheap, doesn't have a sock holder. I really didn't want to use a foam on the strainer but the used setup came with a foam filter on the drain in the sump. Thanks. I will look into a a add on sock holder but the one I have looked at would have the drain higher than the water level. Would this even matter? Most articles talk this is to maintain suction, wouldn't you lose suction in not below the water level in the sump? Again thanks, trying to learn this but this just keeps me a little confusion as I have never set up something like this. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ "Never memorize something that you can look up." - Albert Einstein ...and he didn't even have google! Current Tank Info: BioCube 29 with InTank Media Basket - Building 75 gallon bow front

04/16/2016, 08:41 AM	#5
Kardjunkie Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 128	Herbie style question If your not using a filter sock, which I would rather do cheaper and easier, how do you keep filter large particles out of the water? And thank you so much for the response, very much appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ "Never memorize something that you can look up." - Albert Einstein ...and he didn't even have google! Current Tank Info: BioCube 29 with InTank Media Basket - Building 75 gallon bow front

04/16/2016, 10:17 AM	#6
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Strainer on the top of the drain is not for particulate removal, it is to prevent occlusion of the pipe with with something like a snail. You can certainly use filter socks on the sump end of the drain, just don't cinch them round the pipe so that the water has a place to go as the sock clogs. Do not put anything on the top of the drain that will clog, ever. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

04/16/2016, 10:32 AM	#7
Kardjunkie Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 128	I get all this now I think and my question becomes, how can I do a Herbie without filter socks and filter particles in the drain? Thanks everybody just trying to figure it all out and you all have been very helpful. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ "Never memorize something that you can look up." - Albert Einstein ...and he didn't even have google! Current Tank Info: BioCube 29 with InTank Media Basket - Building 75 gallon bow front

04/16/2016, 07:42 AM	#2
WWIII Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 158	You can put any of the above on your drains if you want to, they won't be a problem. I just use strainers to keep the fish out if they decide to take an adventure to my overflow. If I were to add one or the other (sponge or socks) I would use sock filters on the drains. They are gonna hold a lot more gunk, and if they get so clogged up and nasty they will not mess up the balance of the herbie design. The sponge on top of strainer idea seems like it would be a huge pain and would probably require cleaning daily to keep flow the same.

04/16/2016, 08:03 AM	#4
WWIII Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 158	No it sucks from the top, in the overflow. If it isn't 1 inch down in the sump water it will just be loud and could possibly create bubbles. I don't currently use socks, but I don't see why you couldn't have the drain going down into the sock below the water level 1 inch. U could probably use a sock holder or I have seen some that are just tied off to stay in place. I'm sure someone that uses socks on their herbie will chime in, but the syphon will do its thing no matter where or how high/low it is discharged into the sump, it just is ideal to have it 1 inch below because the water isn't crashing down making noise and at the same time any air can be purged easily to help the syphon get going faster/better. For instance if the drain is set 6 inches below sump water level and u turn off return pump, when the pump is turned back on there will be air in the system initially and will have a harder time being pushed out that deep into the water/sump. Hope some of that makes sense? I'm sure someone who uses socks will give their advice soon!