griss' Tank Upgrade Thread

[griss]

So, an interesting thing about these Pro-Clear Pro Star tanks. The sump is actually attached to the stand via brackets. I'm not sure I want to use this sump for a couple reasons. 1. I really wanted to have my sump in the fish room (run the plumbing through the wall) so I have easier access to it and I also wanted to plumb a fuge and frag tank to the system. 2. It seems a bit of an oddly designed sump. So, I might be removing it once the basement is finished and I can move the tank into its final location.

In researching, I've learned that Pro-Clear uses metric PVC for the plumbing. Since they're based in Florida, I thought this was a bit odd. I believe these systems come with pre-built plumbing or at least that's how it looks based on the used system I bought. So, if I decide to do the remote sump, I'll have to completely re-plumb it. Fortunately, I found I can get metric to standard PVC fittings from various vendors.

 

[griss]

New info I just discovered about that plumbing used by Pro-Clear. It appears that there are two metric standards for plumbing a European ("DIN") standard and a Japanese ("JIS") standard. From what I'm reading, the PVC fittings Pro-Clear uses are JIS so, the adapters I found at BRS (which are DIN) will not work. I found threads on other boards with the proper part numbers for the correct fittings from FlexPVC.com Hopefully, these will work if I decide to swap out the sump/plumbing. But, man, those fittings (unions) are pricy.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Might be better off starting from scratch with regular pvc.

 

[griss]

Might be better off starting from scratch with regular pvc.

Some of the threads I've read state that this is a very difficult solution as replacing the bulkheads in the overflow is very difficult. This is due to limited space in the overflow, the bulkheads being sealed with copious amounts of silicone (difficult to clean the holes up) and the fact that standard bulkheads may not fit the manufacturer's holes in the glass.

 

[wvned]

I would glue 5 inches of metric pipe into the bulkhead and then use an adapter right there glued in. If you need to redo it you cut it off. You have 3-4 redos possible before you have to replace the bulkhead.

To deal with the pipe being so low you can come up next to the sump with a standpipe that has a tee in it so the water comes out the side into the sump. The standpipe rises to the same height as the tank level on the other side of the wall. My system runs with about 20 inches of head from the top of the water level in the DTs to where the tee is on the standpipe.

Any part of the sump I wanted higher than the floor was placed on stacked concrete blocks from Home Depot.

 

[OrionN]

It has been a while since you started this build. Many lifetimes ago (maybe wrasse lifetime). Hurry up and finish or you are not going to be able to take care of it.

 

[kharmaguru]

Anything that requires expensive adapters just switch to hose and call it a day. A heat gun or even just hot water plus a hose clamp is your friend.

 

[griss]

It has been a while since you started this build. Many lifetimes ago (maybe wrasse lifetime). Hurry up and finish or you are not going to be able to take care of it.

Too funny Minh, and you’re right. Our son said he’ll help finish the framing this weekend (not holding my breath).

Once the framing is done, I can run the electric myself.

Drywall, I’ll probably get a bid or two. I can do drywall but I hate doing it. I’ll do the painting and baseboards.

Then, flooring. We decided to do vinyl plank around the tank and Mrs griss want carpet in the rest of the finished basement area.

 

[griss]

Anything that requires expensive adapters just switch to hose and call it a day. A heat gun or even just hot water plus a hose clamp is your friend.

True Sean. I’ll have to see if that will work.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

If there is no room to work then I agree with kharmaguru.

 

[griss]

The boy and his friend said they were going to help finish framing tomorrow. Then, they left for the bar so, we’ll see.

Once framing is done, I’ll run electric.

Sister’s boyfriend will give me a bid for drywall and mudding (since I hate doing those) once I finish the electric.

 

[JCOLE]

drywall and mudding (since I hate doing those)

Tell me about it!!

 

[kharmaguru]

 

[griss]

Framing complete with the exception of the door header for the small closet and bump out for the water main.

Bought wire, boxes, outlets and cover plates today but, haven’t started wiring yet.

My sister’s boyfriend is a handyman and is going to give me a bid to do the drywall.

 

[kfisc]

I'm going to say launch of about June/July? What fun it will be to see that thing up and going and realizing I didn't have to do anything at all.

 

[griss]

No progress today. Too much else going on.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

You're no fun!

 

[griss]

My intent was to finish the electric this past weekend but, we had a 27 hour power outage instead. I'm hoping I'll have time this weekend but our first grandson (second grandchild) was born on Monday and I'm sure Mrs griss will want to spend time with our daughter's family.

I also need to move two outlets where the tank is going to be located. I placed them for a 120 (4' long tank) but this Pro Clear is a 5' tank and I don't want the outlets behind the stand.

I've definitely decided I'm going to hire someone to do the drywall, mud & tape and baseboards. Then, painting and flooring should be a piece of cake.

 

[JCOLE]

My intent was to finish the electric this past weekend but, we had a 27 hour power outage instead. I'm hoping I'll have time this weekend but our first grandson (second grandchild) was born on Monday and I'm sure Mrs griss will want to spend time with our daughter's family.

I also need to move two outlets where the tank is going to be located. I placed them for a 120 (4' long tank) but this Pro Clear is a 5' tank and I don't want the outlets behind the stand.

I've definitely decided I'm going to hire someone to do the drywall, mud & tape and baseboards. Then, painting and flooring should be a piece of cake.

Nice work!! Getting closer.

 

[griss]

Okay, need a little help here. My new tank pvc is supposedly Japanese metric (JIS). The return is 25mm JIS and the overflows are 32mm JIS. I want to simply use a coupler like this to convert these to standard. I want to convert the 25mm to 3/4" and the 32mm to 1" if possible.

I reached out to Pro Clear and one of their sales people responded and was somewhat helpful. I think he didn't want to get too specific and he didn't want to feel responsible if I bought the wrong fittings, I get that. He suggested I reach out of Flexpvc.com (linked above). He further stated:

JIS 25mm is the equivalent to and outer diameter of 32mm while DIN (European metric) is 1:1. (In this case JIS25 and DIM 32 both have an outer diameter of 32mm). With this, the JIS 20mm converts to DIN 25mm.

I tried to use the Contact Us form on Flex PVC's website for more guidance and I keep getting an error that states "cannot process at this time" whenever I click submit. So, if anyone has some guidance I'd greatly appreciate it.