Hey guys, first post here on MFK. Was building a 140Gal tank and was looking at different designs for an overflow. I really like the look and function of a bean animal setup, but every one ive ever seen has been built with the drains plumbed out of the back panel of the tank. i would prefer to have my overflow completely internal, and was wondering if a typical bean animal setup could be plumbed through the bottom panel of the aquarium. From my understanding, a bean animal is essentially a full siphon channel, a (essentially) Durso channel, and an emergency drain. in the case of doing an internal overflow, would i be able to have the full siphon channel be 6" from the bottom of the tank, with the Durso and emergency drain sitting up towards the top of the weir? The gate valves would sit a few inches underneath the bulkheads in the stank. i dont see why this design wouldnt work, it seems to be more compact, using less material and having less bends. Appreciate all input.
Bean animal advice
- Thread starter DamnHobos
- Start date
That specific video was actually the only example of a fully internal that i could find, but couldnt find the link when the time came to make my post. instead of a standpipe with a couple elbows for the full siphon, could i not just use a straight standpipe with a strainer?
Based on my experience, if the main suction for full siphon is a stand pipe kept upwards, its not that effective and water gets in like a whirlpool and air gets sucked in. However this is when I was experimenting with an overflow box on top aide and I wasn't having large volume of water inside overflow box (12 inch by 6 inch by 6 inch box).
Both full siphon and secondary lines are kept downward with an elbow in most of the BA design that I have seen.
You could try this if you are going to have an overflow box till bottom where you will get more water volume inside overflow box.
Both full siphon and secondary lines are kept downward with an elbow in most of the BA design that I have seen.
You could try this if you are going to have an overflow box till bottom where you will get more water volume inside overflow box.
Only syphon line needs a valve, a gate valve, as close to the exit (sump) as possible.
Other than that you tune it by opening the gate vavle until just a whiff of water is coming down your air channel (durso) on your lowest setting your foing to be running (return flow)
Other than that you tune it by opening the gate vavle until just a whiff of water is coming down your air channel (durso) on your lowest setting your foing to be running (return flow)
Yes, you can implement an internal bean animal with internal weir as the video shows.
To answer your other question, you can use a straight standpipe and implement the Herbie method. I have the Herbie with internal weir as well. I also add a third completely dry e-drain. So it's like a hybrid.
There are no issues with the main siphon in terms of start/stop and noise. You need to ensure the pipe is sufficiently below the water surface in the weir overflow side. Start at least six" below the water. It's quiet.
Here's a top down view of my internal overflow with the 3 pipes to give you a visiual.
The T "goal post" looking thing is just the return split.
The T "goal post" looking thing is just the return split.