60 gallon cube plumbing

leemchildress

New member
I have a 60 gallon cube (2 x 2 x 2) which I am getting ready to plumb and buy a return pump for. I have a couple questions for you seasoned reefers and your input would be GREATLY appreciated.

1. First, my bulkheads of the aquarium are on the bottom of the tank. How do you plumb just beneath the tank so that if you had to remove the plumbing from inside the tank, or just have to move the tank, everything comes apart? My though was just a small pvc spacer with a union. Is that right?

2. For the return section, I was thinking of adding a T so that I could later on add a reactor and not need another pump. My understanding is a durso usually drains at approximately 600 gallons an hour. I was looking at an Eheim Compact 3000 which max flow is 792. My guess is, though, that 192 gallons is not enough for the reactor (carbon and GFO). Is that pump still good or would I need a tad stronger?

3. Any other plumbing wisdom for a small tank before I start?

You guys rock!
 
I understand that the Eheim compact doesn't move water vertically as well as their 1200 series pumps so you need to calculate you head pressure accurately in determining you return pump size. Bigger and valve back better than being undersized. I use an Eheim 1260 with 5' of head and a Herbie drain but I prefer a slower sump throughput. Good luck!
 
Back
Top