How to plumb Aqueon megaflow 125g reef ready

[Kzang]

So, I finally got my tank today, and the tank comes with a plumbing kit for dual durso with 2 returns. The bulkheads are barbed, so I will probably buy new bulkheads. I want to herbie style at least.

I thought about doing one 3/4 return in each overflow, with a full siphon 1 inch drain in one and emergy 1 inch drain in the other overflow. I'm thinking of using a vectra m2.

What do you all think? Should I try bean animal style with 1 return? If I do animal style with 1 return, what sizes for all the pipes?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I just plumbed mine with dual Herbie drains/returns.

What kind of sump are you using?

 

[Jeepjeep_0]

I just plumbed mine with dual Herbie drains/returns.

What kind of sump are you using?

How is your dual herbie running?

 

[Jeepjeep_0]

How is your dual herbie running?

Any chance you have pictures of what you did?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

How is your dual herbie running?

I said Herbie but I meant Durso. My bad. My silencer on the Durso drain is a little unique, though, as I used a strainer to quiet the flow and prevent inadvertent fish flushing to the sump

 

[Jeepjeep_0]

Dang, I’m reading your build now. I am going to coNvert my dual Durso to herbie, wanted some input on how it was running.

 

[Jeepjeep_0]

I’m reading that it can be difficult to dial in 2 herbies

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I’m reading that it can be difficult to dial in 2 herbies

It can be. Imagine a Herbie set up like a Durso. That's how I run.

 

[Jeepjeep_0]

So your just running a full siphon with one drain?

 

[lmm1967]

I’m reading that it can be difficult to dial in 2 herbies

Doing it currently on 2 tanks - a 120g & a 180g - both run fine and are easy to dial in.

The video below is not mine - but he does a great job showing you how to do it and how well it runs.

I've been running like this for a couple years with absolutely zero issues.

 

[Jeepjeep_0]

Doing it currently on 2 tanks - a 120g & a 180g - both run fine and are easy to dial in.

So in your application do you have a 1” and 3/4” drain in each overflow? Which one are you using for full siphon and which one are you using for emergency

 

[lmm1967]

So in your application do you have a 1” and 3/4” drain in each overflow? Which one are you using for full siphon and which one are you using for emergency

My predrilled holes in both accepted 1" bulkheads - I'm running 4 drains, each 1". Each overflow has a full siphon with a gate valve and an open channel.

Returns are 1" from the pump - dropped down to 3/4" and run over the top of the tank. Each tank has 2 of those returns.

I'll point out - I do not run a TON of flow through my sumps - I'm guessing maybe 1,000 gph - I prefer to handle and control flow with powerheads / gyres in the tank.

If I was forced to use a 3/4" & a 1" - the smaller will always be my full siphon with the larger the open / emergency channel.

 

[Jeepjeep_0]

If I was forced to use a 3/4" & a 1" - the smaller will always be my full siphon with the larger the open / emergency channel.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah I was thinking that too. So you use a gate valve on each of your full siphon drains independently right?

 

[lmm1967]

If I was forced to use a 3/4" & a 1" - the smaller will always be my full siphon with the larger the open / emergency channel.

Yeah I was thinking that too. So you use a gate valve on each of your full siphon drains independently right?
[/QUOTE]
Correct - I never combine drain lines. That's just me though - plenty of people do it without issue.

I'm paranoid and one of my top priorities is to never have a flood - at least not from something stupid like a silly snail taking the express lane to the sump.

Slurping and gurgling drains also annoy me - my tanks are not all that quiet between the pumps, skimmers etc - but for some crazy reason a noisy drain just irritates me.

 

[Jeepjeep_0]

I totally missed the video up top, exactly what I was looking for. Thank You!!!

 

[Jeepjeep_0]

I also linked your video in my build thread because we were talking about it, thanks again.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

So your just running a full siphon with one drain?

No, I don't run a siphon at all. It's an overflow with a screen like you'd use in a Herbie, but not a siphon. It's much quieter than a traditional Durso with elbows and a vent hole.

I would also second the comment about not running a lot of flow. I, too, probably run about 1000 gph through two overflows.