I see a lot of folks using Hartford loops on skimmers for controlling the level of water in a skimmer body. Just wondering if anyone has tried this with an overflow yet? I'm thinking you could put some cotton or something in the top of the Hartford (the open part) to keep it nice and quiet and there would be no slurping noise since the drain intake would be submerged. Comments?
Hartford Overflow - Anyone Try This?
- Thread starter ChrisRD
- Start date
Does this setup drastically reduce the capacity of a given size drain as compared to a straight drop overflow?
Also, would it make any sense to include a plug/fitting at the lowest point of the loop for draining/cleaning? Can any crud/detritus settle in there? Seems like the constant flow would keep that from happening, but just curious...
Any comment on noise level of this setup vs. say a Stockman or Durso?
Thanks for the feedback...
Also, would it make any sense to include a plug/fitting at the lowest point of the loop for draining/cleaning? Can any crud/detritus settle in there? Seems like the constant flow would keep that from happening, but just curious...
Any comment on noise level of this setup vs. say a Stockman or Durso?
Thanks for the feedback...
It looks like it would run about like a durso standpipe would except it is external to the overflow. I would think it would be similar as far as the amount of flow that it would handle and noise issues. I doubt you would need to clean the elbow out very often to warrant a trap fitting though.
I think this would be a nice option if you have plenty of space behind the tank and want to minimize the amount of space that the overflows are taking up.
FWIW, Nathan
I think this would be a nice option if you have plenty of space behind the tank and want to minimize the amount of space that the overflows are taking up.
FWIW, Nathan
Thanks for taking a look Nathan.
I've run the external Durso on two setups now and IMO they're a bit finicky to adjust, and produce quite a bit of noise/bubbles in the sump because of all the air entrainment. They can also whistle a bit at the air intake hole. I'm thinking this setup might resolve all those issues but I have yet to test it.
I've also tested the gate-valve-on-the-drain-pipe idea which is super quiet and no noise/bubbles in the sump, but they're still touchy to adjust and there's the obvious downside of having a partially closed valve in your drain line...
I've run the external Durso on two setups now and IMO they're a bit finicky to adjust, and produce quite a bit of noise/bubbles in the sump because of all the air entrainment. They can also whistle a bit at the air intake hole. I'm thinking this setup might resolve all those issues but I have yet to test it.
I've also tested the gate-valve-on-the-drain-pipe idea which is super quiet and no noise/bubbles in the sump, but they're still touchy to adjust and there's the obvious downside of having a partially closed valve in your drain line...
I'm not sure how it would run as far as noise goes. I don't think it would be any quieter than a durso though.
Here is what I've been using lately for my setups:
The brown is just a 1 1/4" elbow attached to a 1" bulkhead. A little giant submersible pump screen fits perfect over the 1 1/4" elbow.
Behind the tank I run a T and then put a cap on the top and drill a hole in the top and that quiets everything down and keeps it from making that awful sucking noise that drains can make.
Of course you need to plan out where to drill your holes or you would have to do some adjusting on that. I'm using that setup on a couple of smaller tanks that I didn't want to use up a bunch of space with overflow boxes inside the tank. I used black elbows and unless you are looking for them you can hardly even see them in the tank.
Not sure if that is what you are looking for but thought I would share.
FWIW, Nathan
Here is what I've been using lately for my setups:
The brown is just a 1 1/4" elbow attached to a 1" bulkhead. A little giant submersible pump screen fits perfect over the 1 1/4" elbow.
Behind the tank I run a T and then put a cap on the top and drill a hole in the top and that quiets everything down and keeps it from making that awful sucking noise that drains can make.
Of course you need to plan out where to drill your holes or you would have to do some adjusting on that. I'm using that setup on a couple of smaller tanks that I didn't want to use up a bunch of space with overflow boxes inside the tank. I used black elbows and unless you are looking for them you can hardly even see them in the tank.
Not sure if that is what you are looking for but thought I would share.
FWIW, Nathan
I guess I don't understand why it wouldn't just create the same whistling sound out the top of the opening. You're still creating a mixture of water and air yeah?
I've had issues with the noise out the top of the Durso too. I have one on my 50 gallon with two surge tanks that create a lot of flow at once through the pipe. The whistling was pretty loud. I know it takes some tinkering with hole size and amount of flow going through it but I'm lazy so I just did this. It's the top of a Durso (well, actually Stockman but same concept) with a 1/2" hose barb and vinyl hose attached. The key part is that the hose runs down to the inside of the stand, where I have one of those little John Guest ball valves at the end to control the size of the opening. Limits the noise considerably, and then limits that noise to the inside of my stand. It's basically silent.
Hope this helps in some way,
Matt
I've had issues with the noise out the top of the Durso too. I have one on my 50 gallon with two surge tanks that create a lot of flow at once through the pipe. The whistling was pretty loud. I know it takes some tinkering with hole size and amount of flow going through it but I'm lazy so I just did this. It's the top of a Durso (well, actually Stockman but same concept) with a 1/2" hose barb and vinyl hose attached. The key part is that the hose runs down to the inside of the stand, where I have one of those little John Guest ball valves at the end to control the size of the opening. Limits the noise considerably, and then limits that noise to the inside of my stand. It's basically silent.
Hope this helps in some way,
Matt
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The pipe at the top of the Hartford loop is wide open, so I don't think there will be any whistling. Another advantage I would expect over the Durso is that the Hartford should not be as sensitive to changes in flowrate (at least that's why many people prefer them on skimmers vs. a gate valve). I think the downside will be capacity as there would be no syphon action.
Thanks for the feedback so far guys.
Thanks for the feedback so far guys.
Hey Chris, thanks for the invite to the thread.
I think the 'U' in the first pic is way too large. The bottom of the 'U' just needs to be a little bit lower than the intake. Perhaps a couple/few inches.
I'd put a cap on the stack to keep undesireable stuff out, dust, bugs, etc.
I'd also put remote tubing like what Matt showed.
I believe it will be fairly quiet.
The pipe size will need to be larger than shown. Without a siphon the flow rate needs to be compensated with pipe diameter.
I think the 'U' in the first pic is way too large. The bottom of the 'U' just needs to be a little bit lower than the intake. Perhaps a couple/few inches.
I'd put a cap on the stack to keep undesireable stuff out, dust, bugs, etc.
I'd also put remote tubing like what Matt showed.
I believe it will be fairly quiet.
The pipe size will need to be larger than shown. Without a siphon the flow rate needs to be compensated with pipe diameter.
Matt, what Guy said.
Guy, the loop is probably drawn a bit bigger than it would have to be. The limiting factor in how large it will be is how much room will be required to allow for the adjustable coupling + fittings. I think you're right about a protective cap over the open pipe - could probably double as some sort of "muffler" to deaden any splashing/gurgling noises in the drain pipe...
I have an old tank handy that I could test this on - I think this calls for an experiment. :wink:
If/when I do test it out I'll update the thread.
Thanks for the responses fellas.
Guy, the loop is probably drawn a bit bigger than it would have to be. The limiting factor in how large it will be is how much room will be required to allow for the adjustable coupling + fittings. I think you're right about a protective cap over the open pipe - could probably double as some sort of "muffler" to deaden any splashing/gurgling noises in the drain pipe...
I have an old tank handy that I could test this on - I think this calls for an experiment. :wink:
If/when I do test it out I'll update the thread.
Thanks for the responses fellas.
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