My 12 in.Night Stand Cube is COMPLETE..almost

[Agu]

If money is an issue buying a canister filter is not a cost effective option. You'd have to retire the sump and all the equipment you've already purchased.

A standpipe would be a piece of PVC, maybe two bucks. A check valve will not work on a drain line, it's a one way valve.

The return could have a check valve but they're not reliable in aquarium applications. You're still rolling the dice.

You have a good start and two standpipes wouldn't be that obtrusive with creative aquascaping. Beats the heck out of your tank crashing because of faulty design.

jmo,

 

[kenny77]

why not just installing a PVC pipe all the way up below the water level, about 2". This way in a poweroutage you will only loose 2" of water.

I know this might look not so nice but it is more pratical, but It can be covered with rock or even with coral. GSP is a good one for this job.

 

[Safir]

use black/grey PVC for your standpipes and build up the rocks around them, the could be nearly invisible with creative aquascaping and would become even less obvious as corals started to grow around everything.

 

[Milleme]

I see, so for a canister I couldn't use my mag 2? I haven't purchased any thing expensive like a protien skimmer or anything yet.

But it sounds like I will be best off putting a standpipe in ehh.

 

[Milleme]

Safir- You just beat me to the post.

Does anyone know of any stores that carry BLack pvc b/c I don't really look forward to ordering a foot long piece of pvc off the internet and having to pay 5 bucks to ship it.

 

[dantodd]

maybe you can find these in NC configuration....

http://1valves.com/112elgatval.html

That way, when power goes away, the valve closes.

 

[Safir]

they sell grey PVC at most home improvement superstores, whenever i need plumbing pieces i go shopping there first

 

[MacnReef]

I believe savko sells black PVC.

Mike

 

[Milleme]

UPDATE

UPDATE

Well the other night I found some grey pvc in the garage and decided to make plans for a change.

So I began today when I got home by transfering the rocks, fish, and water into the sump so I could glue down the pvc standpipe. DO yall think I should cut slits in the top of the overflow or is it even necesary (see pics)?

In order to attach the check valve on the return I have to wait till 2morow to go get some pvc fittings b/c i am stupid and ordered the WRONG SIZE! :mad2:

So here are a few pics of whats happenin', cause everyone likes pics no matter what they're of.

Standpipe

Top view

 

[kenny77]

I will cut some slit on the top. I think that if you leave it this way it will be noisy. I was thinking on covering the top and the cutting the slit so it will be just like and over flow, also if you cover the top(not permanetly you will not have problem with snails or hermit crabs climing to the top and ending on the sump.

just my 2 cents

 

[Safir]

if there is not a standpipe on the return as well it will still drain the tank in the event of a power outage....

 

[alien9168]

looks cool.

 

[Agu]

Hope you didn't glue that standpipe in place yet.


Teflon tape will provide a good enough seal for this application. That gives you the freedom to change or adjust the standpipe after you have water in the tank.


I've found cutting a standpipe at a diagonal makes it much quieter.


fwiw,

 

[Milleme]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7344512#post7344512 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kenny77
I will cut some slit on the top. I think that if you leave it this way it will be noisy. I was thinking on covering the top and the cutting the slit so it will be just like and over flow, also if you cover the top(not permanetly you will not have problem with snails or hermit crabs climing to the top and ending on the sump.

just my 2 cents

Thanx for the advice but unfortunatly I did already glue it so I dont think I will be able to cut slits. For the snail guard I was gonna get a pvc cap and drill holes on the top. What do you think of this idea? What else would you suggest for this also?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7346727#post7346727 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Safir
if there is not a standpipe on the return as well it will still drain the tank in the event of a power outage....

THats why I got a $20 check valve. Hope its worth it.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7347910#post7347910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Agu
Hope you didn't glue that standpipe in place yet.


Teflon tape will provide a good enough seal for this application. That gives you the freedom to change or adjust the standpipe after you have water in the tank.


I've found cutting a standpipe at a diagonal makes it much quieter.


fwiw,

I don't think we are on the same page here. First, what im using as my "stand pipe" is simply just a pipe. Is this still considered a "stand pipe"? Second, the pipe didn't fit inside of the bulkhead so I just globbed on some glue and it sits like on the rim of the bulkhead. I have one ball valve on the overflow to control the right amount of flow and a second valve below it that will allow me to shut off flow for water changes.

Does this sound right to you?

 

[Milleme]

Sump Ideas

Sump Ideas

Ok, so the sump originally was planned to hold about 5 gallons of water and have enough extra room to hold the tanks 7 gallon volume incase of a power outage, thus giving it a total volume of ~13 gallons.

Now that I am not going to have to worry about my tank suficating in a power outage I have been given some more options with the sump.

The smallest chamber is 6in x 15.5in, the big chamber is 9.5in x 15.5 in. and the divider is 9 in. tall.

The Sump

Option 1: Have both the pump and overflow in big chamber with the small chamber on right being left empty for ATO perhaps. Only problem with this one is I'm not sure ill be able to fit the skimmer in.

Option 2: Big chamber in front where water would flow in and skimmer etc. equiptment would be w/ small chamber behind it w/ return pump. Problem would be no where to put an ATO unless the container was partly submersed.

So lets here what you think!

And while you are thinking you can look at some pics of the aquascape I threw 2gether to partly conceal the standpipe.

 

[Milleme]

So unless anyone objects i am gona do my sump the way in option 2 up above. I feel like Ill have more freedom with it this way. If anyone objects or has something for me to consider speek up so I don't have to redo something again.

 

[dantodd]

1) you might want to add a second piece of plastic for a micro-bubble baffle.

2) Why can't you use an ATO, just put the sensor in the return pump side.

 

[Milleme]

Good idea on the baffle.

I was just saying for the 1st pic I could fit a container in the right side where there was no water and for the second pic there might not be enough space for a container.

 

[dantodd]

Got it. I didn't understand that you'd leave it empty in the other configuration.

 

[garvondavis14]

lookin good, keep us updated