general question about tank plumbing

[jacksonpt]

So tonight I have the pleasure of swapping out a failing return pump. I've got unions in place, so getting the old pump out won't be a problem.

I just got back from lowes looking for the correct plumbing bits to connect the new pump to my existing plumbing. Every time I make one of these trips, I feel like I need 10 different adapters because they don't have the 1 or 2 that I need.

Is that the case for most of you? Or is it because my plumbing isn't as well thought out as it should be? Seems ridiculous to have to adapt a 3/4" threaded on my pump to a 1" slip to a 1" union to 1.5" spa flex. And that's just the input side of the pump.

 

[Flanders]

That was the case for me. I think I ended up returning almost as many fittings as I bought in the 20 or so trips to the store before my tank was finally plumbed. Home Depot is even worse. No union valves at all.

 

[Capt_Cully]

My return plumbing underwent about 10 different schemes. Lowes had a WAY better selection than HD. But, if they don't have the one piece you need, you end up with some rediculous configurations. I easily spent $200+ on plumbing supplies for my current system and have tons of left over pieces parts.

 

[SkiFletch]

While there is a level of success you can have by designing plumbing the right way the first time, there are always wierd unions and fittings and things to go wrong with plumbing that end you up with strange combinations. You should see my skimmer :lol:

Edit: Sometimes I get cranky when they don't have what I want and break out the lathe

 

[magdelan]

Ditto

Ditto

My return plumbing underwent about 10 different schemes. Lowes had a WAY better selection than HD. But, if they don't have the one piece you need, you end up with some rediculous configurations. I easily spent $200+ on plumbing supplies for my current system and have tons of left over pieces parts.

Thank you. That is all.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

instead of unions I use barb to flex with hose clamps- very inexpensive and still easy to switch out external pump

 

[GMaquarium]

Plumbing is a puzzle with many pieces that fit together. You can only put a puzzle together knowing what the final picture looks like. So sit down, figure out what you need and draw it on paper. Make a parts list and head to the store with it.