Drain Style for Dual Drains?

[rongy]

Hi reefers,

I’m going to start a new build. The tank has only two drain holes (3/4 and 1inch). Drilling is not an option. What’s the best drain style for this? I was thinking of bean animal style without emergency (3/4 as main drain, and 1 inch as secondary), but no emergency really makes me nervous. Let me know if you know of a better idea.

It’s a 80 gallon tank, 48x24x16

 

[PPBlimpy]

If I understand the bean animal style correctly, and i have used it in practice, you really need the emergency drain when the pumps first kick on, there will be a time before the the durso really kicks in that water level will go over the emergency.

You may be better off just running a durso and a return like designed and a DC return pump to adjust flow to make the durso quite. Not ideal if you want high turn over thru the sump.

 

[rongy]

If I understand the bean animal style correctly, and i have used it in practice, you really need the emergency drain when the pumps first kick on, there will be a time before the the durso really kicks in that water level will go over the emergency.

You may be better off just running a durso and a return like designed and a DC return pump to adjust flow to make the durso quite. Not ideal if you want high turn over thru the sump.

I guess by bean animal I really refer to the Herbie style drain with third emergency drain. And I’m thinking of doing just the Herbie style, but not sure how safe is it

 

[DylanE]

I once had an unfortunate fish make it into my main overflow pipe on a herbie setup. The drain worked just fine and it was super loud so I noticed it quickly.

 

[rongy]

I once had an unfortunate fish make it into my main overflow pipe on a herbie setup. The drain worked just fine and it was super loud so I noticed it quickly.

Have you seen any incidents where the secondary drain got clogged? I’m just concerned that snail can run into it and clog it

 

[rongy]

Also, do you use strainer for your primary drain (to prevent fish and snail)?

 

[DylanE]

Also, do you use strainer for your primary drain (to prevent fish and snail)?

I do have a strainer after losing that fish. I haven’t personally heard of a situation like that, and haven’t gotten close in the 1 years I’ve run this type of overflow. That being said, it’s always a possibility.