Overflow and Herbie Questions, also, is this normal?

[Aaron75]

I've posted a ton of questions about this tank, here is a couple more. 1st: Is this overflow design normal, the gap? There is about a 3/8 gap that is just open, doesn't drain through the bottom or anything. You can see it in the picture here.

2nd question: It's a herbie setup, that back plate is just about 17.5". So I'd have the secondary drain set at about 17" right? Just below the plate? And then my primary drain at 12"? Is it best to have a screen on the primary drain?

 

[JonoH]

Mine definately dont have that...
Perhaps its to stop noise somehow?

 

[UncommonSense]

That gap is indeed very odd! It doesn’t really appear to serve a practical purpose for structure, flow, or otherwise…

I only see two holes total in the overflow box, so presumably you plan to return water via plumbing over the rim of the tank to utilize the Herbie system?

Typically, a Herbie drain configuration will expect the secondary drain to accept some quantity of the overflow from the DT during normal operation! That is to say; your primary drain has a restriction in it, so it can get partially or completely clogged…

Your proposed primary, and secondary drain heights sound acceptable; I err towards not putting a strainer on the primary drain after having one too many clog the drain up when I get behind on maintenance from time to time!

 

[Aaron75]

Mine definately dont have that...
Perhaps its to stop noise somehow?

I could see a couple ways it could be presented, to reduce noise, a detritus trap, a snail gate? Idk. Lol

 

[UncommonSense]

Mine definately dont have that...
Perhaps it’s to stop noise somehow?

That was my initial thought! Though, I can imagine the bottom of that thin chamber would get completely filled with detritus…

 

[Aaron75]

That gap is indeed very odd! It doesn’t really appear to serve a practical purpose for structure, flow, or otherwise…

I only see two holes total in the overflow box, so presumably you plan to return water via plumbing over the rim of the tank to utilize the Herbie system?

Typically, a Herbie drain configuration will expect the secondary drain to accept some quantity of the overflow from the DT during normal operation! That is to say; your primary drain has a restriction in it, so it can get partially or completely clogged…

Your proposed primary, and secondary drain heights sound acceptable; I err towards not putting a strainer on the primary drain after having one too many clog the drain up when I get behind on maintenance from time to time!

There is actually 3 holes in the bottom, just didn't capture them.

 

[Aaron75]

Your proposed primary, and secondary drain heights sound acceptable; I err towards not putting a strainer on the primary drain after having one too many clog the drain up when I get behind on maintenance from time to time!

Thanks for the confirmation, so it is correct that the secondary should be just below the weir or in my case, weird wall

 

[JonoH]

There is actually 3 holes in the bottom, just didn't capture them.

The inner piece of glass definately doesnt have a hole at the bottom?

Have you tried filling it with water?

 

[Aaron75]

The inner piece of glass definately doesnt have a hole at the bottom?

Have you tried filling it with water?

It definitely does not, you can see the caulk along the entire bottom seam in another picture

 

[UncommonSense]

Thanks for the confirmation, so it is correct that the secondary should be just below the weir or in my case, weird wall

Yes, that tends to work well! You can go lower, but it becomes harder to see the water line!

 

[UncommonSense]

There is actually 3 holes in the bottom, just didn't capture them.

Upon closer zoom examination; i’m starting to think someone had the “bright” idea to make that slot have something slide into it! Look at the squared off adhesive at each weir side corner!

Edit: right side of internal weird wall was adjusted during installation, smearing the silicone… almost certainly not a factory part!

— is there any reason not to cut it out completely? It’s definitely not structural?

 

[Aaron75]

Upon closer zoom examination; i’m starting to think someone had the “bright” idea to make that slot have something slide into it! Look at the squared off adhesive at each weir side corner!

Edit: right side of internal weird wall was adjusted during installation, smearing the silicone… almost certainly not a factory part!

— is there any reason not to cut it out completely? It’s definitely not structural?

It was a custom waterbox build that was ordered by someone else, it was/is still in the crate and has not been altered. To further support that, the holes are center to this box. I don't see a reason it couldn't be cut out, other than I'm afraid to mess up a brand new tank.

 

[UncommonSense]

It was a custom waterbox build that was ordered by someone else, it was/is still in the crate and has not been altered. To further support that, the holes are center to this box. I don't see a reason it couldn't be cut out, other than I'm afraid to mess up a brand new tank.

Huh, that’s a strange choice from WB! The silicone smear is definitely embarrassing for them too…

Maybe there’s a proprietary filter/etc that they set that slot up to house? — Perhaps give their customer service a call and ask about it?

If it’s a factory part, best practice is to leave it be!

 

[Aaron75]

Huh, that’s a strange choice from WB! The silicone smear is definitely embarrassing for them too…

Maybe there’s a proprietary filter/etc that they set that slot up to house? — Perhaps give their customer service a call and ask about it?

If it’s a factory part, best practice is to leave it be!

You guys answered my questions so i thank you for that. That gap doesn't really bother me and I don't think it'll effect anything. Regardless, I sent an email to their custom build service line, I'll be sure to give you guys whatever answer I get Lol

 

[Aaron75]

Lol so I messaged them and these are the answers I got. "Hi, this is where the water flow from the bottom wier teeth flows up and into the overflow box." And "Keeps the possibility of the aquarium being able to be drained all the way to the bottom from the overflow box."

 

[UncommonSense]

Lol so I messaged them and these are the answers I got. "Hi, this is where the water flow from the bottom wier teeth flows up and into the overflow box." And "Keeps the possibility of the aquarium being able to be drained all the way to the bottom from the overflow box."

Oh, so there are weir teeth in the bottom of that slot… okay!

It doesn’t appear to drain from that slot into the bottom of the overflow box, but instead expects water to rise to the top, then cascade in… at least from what I can see!

— maybe they mean stick a tiny siphon tube in that slot, if you want to drain the aquarium all the way to the bottom via the overflow box… otherwise, I don’t see how that could work!

I guess it’s one of life’s mysteries!

 

[Aaron75]

Oh, so there are weir teeth in the bottom of that slot… okay!

It doesn’t appear to drain from that slot into the bottom of the overflow box, but instead expects water to rise to the top, then cascade in… at least from what I can see!

— maybe they mean stick a tiny siphon tube in that slot, if you want to drain the aquarium all the way to the bottom via the overflow box… otherwise, I don’t see how that could work!

I guess it’s one of life’s mysteries!

Ya, I'm still lost on the explanation. I am almost 100% certain there are not weir slots in the bottom of that wall. I'll put some water in there tonight and see what happens.

 

[UncommonSense]

I'll put some water in there tonight and see what happens.

Please do! I’m quite curious to know what the heck the purpose of that “baffle” is!

 

[Aaron75]

Please do! I’m quite curious to know what the heck the purpose of that “baffle” is!

Figured I'd update, still not sure the purpose but this likely offers some clarity. I never saw it because it was still in the crate. The back wall has a lower weir.