PufferMan
Member
Hello everyone, I just wanted to share some info with everyone regarding a recent DIY setup on my new 90 gallon aquarium. I always find it helpful to get first hand experiences from people, so I figured I would share. So here goes.
I recently upgraded from my 6 year old 75 gallon FOWLR to a 90 gallon. Part of the driving factor in doing so was doing away with my terrible, always failing HOB overflow box. Not only did it lose suction a few times and cause a slight overflow of my tank, but it was very loud also. So, I knew when I upgraded I would be working in some sort of internal overflow. After doing some research, I stumbled upon a couple extremely long threads on RC regarding something referred to as a Herbie overflow and also something called the BeanAnimal overflow. Now from what I understand, the BeanAnimal design was a modified version of the Herbie system that is not only "silent" but also "failsafe".
Now, those two words both interested me and made me very skeptical (which is part of why I wanted to share my actual experience with you). However after lots of research, I decided this was the route I wanted go with my new tank. Now I made a couple of variations to this design, mainly to the "coast to coast overflow" that BeanAnimal recommends. I wanted my returns plumbed through the glass also, so instead of the overflow going end to end, I left about 6 inched on each side. Making the overflow about 3ft long total.
After all the initial drilling, and plumbing, and building, I'm happy to say I'm all up and running with the new tank. I'm also happy to report that this system is indeed SILENT! The loudest thing I hear now is my skimmer. Its amazing, no gurgling, no sucking, no splashing. Just quiet. I also have full confidence in the failsafe claims. I can't think of one possible thing I could do to cause this thing to overflow. BeanAnimal also claims this system can handle up to 3000gph, which is insane amount of flow, but again I totally believe it after seeing this thing running. I'm running about 400gph return pump, and I'm barely scratching the surface of what this thing can do.
So, that being said I would highly recommend this system to anyone setting up a new tank, especially if you are planning on drilling it. Take a look at the following link to BeanAnimals website, outlining the setup and design. Also, if you have any questions, let me know. I'm going to try to post some pics of the new setup also.
http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx/
I recently upgraded from my 6 year old 75 gallon FOWLR to a 90 gallon. Part of the driving factor in doing so was doing away with my terrible, always failing HOB overflow box. Not only did it lose suction a few times and cause a slight overflow of my tank, but it was very loud also. So, I knew when I upgraded I would be working in some sort of internal overflow. After doing some research, I stumbled upon a couple extremely long threads on RC regarding something referred to as a Herbie overflow and also something called the BeanAnimal overflow. Now from what I understand, the BeanAnimal design was a modified version of the Herbie system that is not only "silent" but also "failsafe".
Now, those two words both interested me and made me very skeptical (which is part of why I wanted to share my actual experience with you). However after lots of research, I decided this was the route I wanted go with my new tank. Now I made a couple of variations to this design, mainly to the "coast to coast overflow" that BeanAnimal recommends. I wanted my returns plumbed through the glass also, so instead of the overflow going end to end, I left about 6 inched on each side. Making the overflow about 3ft long total.
After all the initial drilling, and plumbing, and building, I'm happy to say I'm all up and running with the new tank. I'm also happy to report that this system is indeed SILENT! The loudest thing I hear now is my skimmer. Its amazing, no gurgling, no sucking, no splashing. Just quiet. I also have full confidence in the failsafe claims. I can't think of one possible thing I could do to cause this thing to overflow. BeanAnimal also claims this system can handle up to 3000gph, which is insane amount of flow, but again I totally believe it after seeing this thing running. I'm running about 400gph return pump, and I'm barely scratching the surface of what this thing can do.
So, that being said I would highly recommend this system to anyone setting up a new tank, especially if you are planning on drilling it. Take a look at the following link to BeanAnimals website, outlining the setup and design. Also, if you have any questions, let me know. I'm going to try to post some pics of the new setup also.
http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx/
