Bean animal

[AndrewK]

So i’m going to be converting my 180 to a sump in the near future. I’m looking at the exotic marine systems overflow box that uses the bean animal. Ive seen different ways of setting it up online. What im planning on when setting it up the main syphon line should be like 1/2”-3/4” from the bottom of the box, then the second durso line with the hole drilled in it should be like half the pipes width above the overflow openings to not let the hole suck water if i’m correct? Then the emergency drain should be just above the secondary durso drain? Its my first sump and i want to get everything designed right before i have my 40+ fish out of the tank and in bins for the afternoon. Also what size sump would you all suggest? I’m torn between a 40B, 55, and a 75? I’m leaning toward the 40B. And i was planning to flow around 1000-1100gph

 

[DN328]

I've seen the EMS ghost overflow box videos and they look really nice. Have you researched Reef Savvy and Synergy Reef? Just make sure it will handle the turnover volume that you're wanting.

As far as drain, you're on the right path with BA. I recently set up plumbing with a ghost overflow and did not see any benefits with the durso over the straight pipes - I tested both. I found noise and volume was the same for me. For that reason I used a low profile strainer for the main siphon, straight drains for the trickle and edrain. You could say I blended between Herbie and BA.

You may know this, and just make sure your sump will be able to take the back siphon when the return pump(s) is off. Which is determined by the height of the main siphon.

Most folks recommend getting the biggest sump you can afford and fit. Although I would agree, I dont see any issues with. 40B.

Here's a picture of my drain for example;

 

[BIG-G]

I would go with the biggest sump you can.
I would also go with at least 1” plumbing with bean drain you can adjust the full siphon with a valve but if the plumbing is too small it will limit the possibility to add flow in the future.
edit : just saw the flow amounts you are looking for. I would go with 1 1/2 main drain. You could get by with 1 1/4 but sometimes fittings are harder to find

 

[AndrewK]

Thanks for the replies! According to the exotic marine systems boxes they offer they say 1” is good for up to 1500 gph

 

[DN328]

I would do 1.5". You can always turn down.

 

[AndrewK]

Ive read that a pipe too large can affect the ability to get the air from the pipes, should i not be worried about that?

 

[BIG-G]

I’ve not encountered that being a problem.
Usually with bean or herbie you want the main drain to be able to handle slightly more flow than return.
Then you adjust that back with a valve so that you maintain a full siphon.
The remaining return water then trickles down the secondary drain.With bean you have another emergency drain that really should never see any water unless there’s a problem with the other two.

 

[BIG-G]

You would probably be ok with 1 inch at 1000 Gph.
If I had any plans to push more flow then that I would go with larger plumbing.
If you’re going by the rates listed for the rerun pump keep in mind you will not get Exactly what it’s rated for.
You will loose some to the hight and any turns in the plumbing will also drag down those numbers.

 

[DN328]

Ive read that a pipe too large can affect the ability to get the air from the pipes, should i not be worried about that?

Something to be cognizant of, but done correctly you shouldn't have any issues. There's other variables that have an effect such as your weir teethe level, return pump capability and plumbing runs.

1" isnt bad for your size tank and should be ok. But better to go slightly bigger and turn down for draining "headroom". For reference Ive run both size almost identical tanks. 1" was ok, but 1.5" I can crank the pump when I'll want higher turn over.

Slightly related. I raised this old sticky and had questions for how the calculations applied. Hard to tell where the chart in this thread falls within the calculations here:

Pipe Sizing Charts and Flow Rates

I made a really nice chart in Excel but it turns into a mess when copying it here, so here are smaller charts and their explanations: Cross Sectional Area (in square inches) - Pipe sizes vs. their cross sectional area. Useful for dividing flow between pipes. size __area 1/2 = .1963 3/4 = .4418...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[shookONES]

Go with Modular Marine. I’ve put my hands on a lot of these overflows and the vast majority are flimsy pieces of junk.