Bean animal question?

[tim the toolman]

So I'm researching the bean animal overflow system and I see that it is definitely the way to go but I have a question.
The main overflow down pipe needs to have a ball valve to adjust the flow rate and ensure that the system runs quietly and I understand this part. But why do the other 2 pipes need to have a valve on them when they seem to operate at 100% all the time. Am I missing something regarding the necessity od the other 2 ball valves?

[gregzz4]

I read somewhere that Bean put them on his only for maintenance.
I can see how they are also useful if you want to change some plumbing while it's running.

[tim the toolman]

Ok that makes sense now. I am thinking of setting up a bigger system sooner than later and figured I should spend the next several months picking brains on here to eliminate mistakes.

[albert_dao]

Just thought I'd mention this, but back when beananimal had his blog up, he clarified his name as "be an animal", not "bean animal".

[tim the toolman]

Noted

[scubadawg]

I'm doing a coast to coast external overflow on my next tank with a beanimal overflow, you want a gate valve for you're primary, not ball valve. Gate valves are more controllable.

[Madmak]

I only used a union ball valve on the full siphon and unions on the others. A ball valve hasn't been difficult to tune for me. This style of drain is sweet!

[tim the toolman]

[quote=Madmak;709641]I only used a union ball valve on the full siphon and unions on the others. A ball valve hasn't been difficult to tune for me. This style of drain is sweet

Looks good thanks for the pics/input

[tim the toolman]

Could a 1/4" air line not be made out of ridgid tubing so it doesn't have to stick up in the air so much. I see that all tanks are done with this flex line but I'm curious as to wether or nit this is essential.

[Madmak]

Any vent will work, mine is an in-wall so I wasn't worried.