Finally starting my new build

mat366

New member
So I'm getting my plumbing set up and want your guy input.
Tank a 72 bow front and 40 breeder sump( I know I need to install the baffles still) and 20 refuguim on the top right and aquaC skimmer on the left, return is 1 1/4inch PVC and pump side is 1inch PVC
 

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Obviously it's a basement sump so noise isn't a problem. Are you planning on using filter socks for the drain? Something to counter splash would be good.

What's feeeding the AquaC? Can't reall tell there.

And the side and bottom drains on the refugium? Is one a backup?

Some suggestions... Having only one drain line from the main tank is ASKING for trouble. Not IF, but WHEN a snail gets in there and clogs one up, you'll have a wet floor and a dry pump. Also, it's a good idea to strain relieve your pipes so you don't put too much stress on the glass in your display tank. Maybe you've done some elsewhere, but I don't see it in the pic. And finally, the electrical direclty under the drain scares me a bit. Especially with the union right there.
 
You may want to put a valve on the drain feeding the refugium, just in case you want to slow that down. I really like the gravity set up for it otherwise. And like skifletch said having the electricity directly under a union might not work out so well.
 
Yes I was just thinking of getting one of the hanging filter socks. And have to take a pump off my other system to feed the skimmer so haven't gotten to that yet. And yes I figured the outlets where a bad location after I couldnt put the tank in my first location so I was thinking installing one of the plastic cover like they use on outdoor plugs. And I was maybe thinking a screen on the drain but not sure if a large enough snail would get in the over flow bc I'm doing a center over flow bc the tank spear tea the kitchen from the living room(after I get home will try and figure out how to add more picuters at one time). And after I glue all the PVC I was going to tie the pipes to the wall.
 

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Fwiw I love my Aqua c .. Even with a outdoor cover on the outlets, You might want to put a piece of epdm attached to the wall higher than your union and extending down to your sump. Kind of like a flap just for added security .
 
Obviously it's a basement sump so noise isn't a problem. Are you planning on using filter socks for the drain? Something to counter splash would be good.

What's feeeding the AquaC? Can't reall tell there.

And the side and bottom drains on the refugium? Is one a backup?

Some suggestions... Having only one drain line from the main tank is ASKING for trouble. Not IF, but WHEN a snail gets in there and clogs one up, you'll have a wet floor and a dry pump. Also, it's a good idea to strain relieve your pipes so you don't put too much stress on the glass in your display tank. Maybe you've done some elsewhere, but I don't see it in the pic. And finally, the electrical direclty under the drain scares me a bit. Especially with the union right there.

Please forgive my ignorance, but could you comment on what you mean by "strain relieving" pipes and how it helps?
 
Is that a pre-fab drain setup in the display or did you do that yourself? FWIW I'm never comfortable with cutting the bottom glass since I'm always terrified of what happens when the Oring seal at the bottom leaks. Whole tank drains then, where if you have a side drain, just a few inches are lost. But, since you've got it, does the overflow box there have holes in the bottom, or just teeth at the top? And is the top open? If you close off the top so snails can't get in there, you've at least mitigated some of the problem. I would suggest developing some sort of removable screen mesh, or black egg crate, or something like that. Anything that will allow you to clean the teeth on the overflow box but keeps bigger things out.
 
Adam, I mean tying them to the wall with pipe standoffs, clips, strapping, something holding the pipes to rigid structure. You don't want to be messing around with the tank/plumbing/etc, bump one of the pipes sideways, put a lot of sideways torque on the bulkhead fitting in the tank, and crack your bottom glass... This is true with side-drain systems too, even more so because there the weight of the pipes is always torqueing the bulkheads.

I may sound like a worry-wort on this one, but it's 72 gallons of seawater you don't want on your livingroom/kitchen floor from something as silly as slipping while working in the basement...
 
Is that a pre-fab drain setup in the display or did you do that yourself? FWIW I'm never comfortable with cutting the bottom glass since I'm always terrified of what happens when the Oring seal at the bottom leaks. Whole tank drains then, where if you have a side drain, just a few inches are lost. But, since you've got it, does the overflow box there have holes in the bottom, or just teeth at the top? And is the top open? If you close off the top so snails can't get in there, you've at least mitigated some of the problem. I would suggest developing some sort of removable screen mesh, or black egg crate, or something like that. Anything that will allow you to clean the teeth on the overflow box but keeps bigger things out.

Did the drain myself, the first bottom was tempers so I had a new piece install and water tested it for a week and not one drip. And just teeth at the top but I like the egg crate idea I was thinking screen just to also stop fish jumping in ther also
 

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Fwiw I love my Aqua c .. Even with a outdoor cover on the outlets, You might want to put a piece of epdm attached to the wall higher than your union and extending down to your sump. Kind of like a flap just for added security .

Ok yea that might be another option too. The best part of those plugs is there on one breaker
 
Basement sump.....go with a much bigger sump....you will be glad in the long run...rubbermaid tub.
Why do you feel you need baffles?
they are not needed
Just some thoughts....
 
Basement sump.....go with a much bigger sump....you will be glad in the long run...rubbermaid tub.
Why do you feel you need baffles?
they are not needed
Just some thoughts....

I would like to go bigger but right going with that and I guess not really baffles but a bubble trap just installing 3 piece of acrylic
 
Ok made some change and glued the pipes together and water testing tonight
 

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What is the side drain on the fuge for? Also, why does it appear that you have a stand pipe in there with a 90 degree elbow with a horizontal run capped with a 90 degree elbow going vertical? Why not eliminate the horizontal run and just leave it as a vertical stand pipe? If anything, cap the stand pipe with (not sure of the name) a coupling that goes from one inch to two inches for better surface skimming.
 
Some good strapping and I like the splash guard. I might run a bead of caulk on the seam against the wall just in case. A slow weep is just as bad as a gushing leak.
 
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