I need to plumb a tank. Need some pointers...

[mfp4073]

I have a drilled 20 gal and want to put a sump under the stand. Currently the tank has bulkheads on both sides that accept 1/2" threaded elbows. I assume one side is for drain to the sump and the other is the return. What do I use to have the water reenter the tank? Meaning instead of a bare bulkhead, what do I thread into the bulkhead on the water side/inside of the tank to "flow" the water back in? I have an MJ1200 and some others that are labeled "powerhead 802" that I think will flow enough for my small amount of water and can simply run clear tubing or whatever to return to the tank. Any better idea so I dont have to buy new pumps?

 

[BoricuaMojao]

pvc

pvc

How about half inch pvc, with a threaded fitting to be threaded to the bulkhead, then a short run of locline on top?

remember to drill a small siphon-break hole or slit before the locline.

You could color the pvc purple with pvc glue primer.

NEVERMIND,

I thought the bulkheads where on the bottom, if they are on the sides, I would just use locline.

Or how about something like the "Calfo loop" that he describes on the book of coral propagation?

 

[mfp4073]

any pictures....I am really pretty much a noob!

 

[BoricuaMojao]

check this link out

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pbretfaq3.htm

the "calfo manifold" or loop, is simply a pvc loop on the top edge of the tank, so it is barely visible, and it has several outlets (pvc t's )around it, so you get a wider distribution of the return flow.

Anthony Calfo describes it on one of his books.

 

[flfirefighter13]

Boricua's idea would work but may be overkill. you can find either locline that will thread into the inside of the bulkhead and direct the flow to where needed http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4090&N=2004+113794 is an example, SITC has a good selection instock IIRC.
You can also look into spray bars that distribute the water further but if your using a powerhead for a return pump you most likely wont have the pressure to spread the water out to far. Locline makes a spray bar type fitting as well.
Regualr old pvc fittings will work to, just take the bulkhead to homedepot and find fittings that fit into it and reduce down to about 1/4" opening, wont be adjustable but if your using powerheads for flow in the tank you wont need to direct it all that much. Like Boricua mentioned though remeber to put a siphon break or two just below the water line, this will keep the tank from being drained should the power go out. Theoritacally as long as the output it just under the water level you have no worries unless you but the outlet way under water. Dont forget to cover the drain bulkhead to prevent blockage. they sell screw in screens or you can make something out of eggcrate. Hope that helps a bit!

 

[skinnyjoe1976]

i sold him the sump and tank the 1/2" bulkheads were designed as return to the tank. buy a overflow box and use a mag 7 to return the water tru the 2 bulkheads. check out what i had planned for it at one time.

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[mfp4073]

I have an hob refugium so there is not a lot of space to put an overflow, but I was going to try to come up with something. hmmm.....

 

[flfirefighter13]

If your going low flow thorugh the sump you could get away with just the bulkheads and no overflow. Another option would be to use both bulkheads as drains and run a supply up over the edge of the tank, that way a wayward snail would be no big deal.

 

[rdmpe]

The thing about using one of those bulkheads for a drain is you have to figure out a way to make it pull of the surface of the water. Going to have an elbow pointing upward or something?

I agree with locline inside the tank for the returns.

 

[skinnyjoe1976]

using linloc's for returns through the bulkheads will be bulky. you can make spray nozzles from lowes for 2.25 each. much cheaper also. how big is the refug?

 

[skinnyjoe1976]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10237276#post10237276 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flfirefighter13
If your going low flow thorugh the sump you could get away with just the bulkheads and no overflow. Another option would be to use both bulkheads as drains and run a supply up over the edge of the tank, that way a wayward snail would be no big deal.

i tried using one as a overflow and one as a return and it will not handle the load. the return was restricted 3/4 and over a 6 hour period it started to overflow. but your right he can use both for drains but it's going to be noisy.

 

[mfp4073]

the refugium is an HOB cpr one. Maybe 2 gal? I was going to use pvc elbows to "set" the water height and cover them with mesh so there would be no snail problem. for return the stuff that brian linked to looks like it would be great and easy. Noise is not too much of a problem though since its in the dining/fish room. How would I get it over the edge of the tank if I were to use both sides as drains?

 

[skinnyjoe1976]

just use pvc up and attach it to the stand or rim of the tank. using line locks are good but the get bulky. they come in 6" pieces and the adapeter to the pve and the nozzle you are looking at 9" or so and they can be turned but where to is the concern. you can also shorten the length of the 6" piece but then you can'y make big turns.

 

[flfirefighter13]

Like Joe said you can plumb the PVC up and over the edge just make sure it is secured, you dont have to use the whole section of locline, If you put a PVC 90 in the tank you could just use the locline adaptor and a locline nozzle without the hose, or use the spray bar across the back of the tank and get ton of surface aggitation. My method is usually to take what I have to SITC get my locline stuff and then go to Home depot and spend some quality time in the plumbing aisle, creativity is key!

 

[mfp4073]

ok, how about this. Use both sides as overflows using stepped up from the 1/2 to a larger size tube and then mesh to keep snails and such out. That would also give a wider area of overflow than just the small 1/2 pipe. Now, to get water back into the tank... how would I run a pump to standard pvc? Also, would I just be putting an upside down U type dump where the water would cascade into the tank and not be "jetted"? You guys are using terms like pvc 90, locline adaptor, and locline nozzles and I think I am keeping up. But if you could keep it simple!

 

[mfp4073]

OOOOOO, I got it now. (I think) Use the bulkheads as overflows with a stepped up to 1 inch for the actual overflows, Both sides down and then use pvc to get back into the tank with a pvc to threaded fitting that the locline adaptor and nozzels could screw into on both sides to return water to both sides of the tank at the same time. Would need to come up with how to hook my 2 powerheads to the pvc. Does that make sense? It think that would eliminate one of the 2 powerheads in the tank. I could eventually get a real pump and use just the returns as my flow.

 

[flfirefighter13]

kinda hard to keep it simple, best bet may be to take the pump into Ace or Home depot and start digging through the shelves, or ask someone that works at ace. Home depot may have a decent employee but dont count on it. There are millions of combinations of PVC fittings that would work, really depends on what you have locally. If you have a aquatic eco sysytems catalog you can look at pics of all the differetn fittings they carry and just pick what sizes you need as well. Good luck, you can do it!

 

[mfp4073]

I think I could even use the bulkhead/locline to support/secure the pvc inlets. They would be high and back in the tank, so I dont think they would be all that noticable. Next question, what is the paint that I can use and still be safe to paint the pvc?

 

[rdmpe]

I painted mine with regular krylon and even some cheap generic stuff. Any spray enamel will be fine IMO but some people like certain brands of paint...

Were you going to use a powerhead to pump water from the sump back up to the display? I think you'd be better off with something like a mag 3 or mag 5. You need a pump with a threaded output IMO.

 

[mfp4073]

for now I was going to try some powerheads I have and zip ties to secure them. Will be experiementing to find what works and doesnt. Remember, I am the poor mans reefer!