Help with first drilled tank

[acidlittle]

So I have a 75gal that I"m setting up, me and my dad have been fiddling with it for the last few days.

We recently resealed it, and it holds water so that is good news.
Next we are trying to figure out how to make it not back up into the sump should the power go out.
Next we build a PVC overflow that is basically 1.5" pvc up to a big funnel, and we think that should work alright. The only big problem is how the hell we plumb in the ETSS Protien Skimmer. I know how it works but I have no idea how to get it to perform the way it is supposed to.

If there is anybody in ames or nearby that would like to give me and my Pa a hand shoot me a pm. I'm going to try and get pictures up tomorrowish.

Thanks!
Josh

 

[acidlittle]

Can somebody enlighten me on check valves and how they work, any pictures of their check valves on their system. And if they are the answer to back flowing into a sump when the power goes out. Thanks again people!

Josh

 

[vid151]

first let me start by saying I dont have a drilled tank so everything I say may be completly wrong.

What I have read on Check valves is that they will fail at the exact time you need them .... they will sit for 24 months never operating with algae, salt, sand and who knows what building up on them and when the power goes out they dont close...

I supose that if you clean them regularly then maybe they would work
you would have to plumb them in with quick disconects so you can take them out and run water throught them backwards ( I suppose just killing power to the return would work also as gravity will kind of do that wouldnt it ... )

kind of exersise them from time to time might work.

Good luck with the project.

 

[glaspie69]

if you drill a small hole right under the water line it will stop the backing up problem. Your overflow creates a suction that pulls the water down into your sump, now if the power goes out that over will suck water until something breaks the suction. If you put a hole right under the water level when the power goes out it can only suck to there before it encounters air from the hole which breaks the suction causing only a few gallons of water to back syphon. Now you have to drill a hole in the return to because it will also pull water just like an overflow if the power goes out. So just drill 2 1/8" or so holes right under your waterline and you should be good. As for the check valves I would say something would eventually clog them ......hope it helps Jason

 

[acidlittle]

It kinda helps, but the way my tank is drilled is not the way most people drill a tank. THe holes are about 5" down on eachside, and I don't have any hose or PVC going above the bulkhead on the return side. The return side just has the pump running a hose up to a 90 degree elbow and then straight into the tank, doesn't go an inch above the bulkhead.

 

[Satori]

I have a check valve from Marine Depot. I like it because it's clear so you can see if it needs cleaning, and it just unscrews via true unions for easy cleaning. Also as you can see, it's very simple. Just a rubber rimmed flap.

 

[acidlittle]

Wow that is nice, how often do you have to clean that sucker? Also thanks a ton for showing me a picture, I'm definitly a visual person! So thanks again!

Josh

 

[Satori]

No problem. It's only been in place for a month, so I'll let you know!

It gets tested every time I use the feed cycle (twice a day) so I should have early indications if something isn't right.

 

[einsteins]

I have that same unit been in use now for 10 months...
I turn off flow daily as I work on my tank, so it get exercised often.
I just undo the unions and soak the flapper section in vinager water for a couple of hours and it comes out like brand new.
Like anything else....if you take care of it, it will work well and last longer.

einsteins

 

[acidlittle]

Well me and my dad figured all the plumbing out, we did it without using check valves, and just using 3/4" pvc run to the top of the water level so the back siphon is greatly reduces. We've tested it a few times and all seems to work just fine.

Tank is in the basement and now we get to start loading her up!

Thanks again folks for all your wonderful advice!!!

Josh