My first Plumbing

[reefNchips]

First let me introduce myself. I am Alex from Hopkinsville. I just joined this past weekend at Pet Palace.

I have been keeping a somewhat mixed 55 tank for the past year but it just has a hang on biowheel so needless to say I have aglae probs.

But the big problem is that I have never done plumbing before, and now I have a 180 AGA with two overflows. Melev (Marc Levenson) is building my sump (around 60 max gallon).

My setup is going to be enclosed by a wall that I plan to start building this week.

The sump is most likely going under the tank. The ro/di unit, water storage containers, mix containers, and drain lines are going in the basement.

Any and all suggestions, opinions, thoughts, and help are very much welcome.

Like for instance, I dont know if i should run pvc, or flexable tubing. My bulk heads have barbs and threads?

Lets all just face it. I am ignorant to plumbing!

Well thanks everyone.

Alex

 

[aquaman67]

Hello Alex!

I ran hard pvc inside the tank itself and flex under. I got my flex tubing at the Aquatic Critter in Nashville but I'm sure they either have or can get it at Pet Palace. It might be in the pond area.

The bulk heads are pretty easy. The one's with barbs are for flex and the threaded ones are for pvc. I used the white teflon paste for the theads of the pvc. Don't over tighten.

If you ever get down to Dickson Tennessee, that's where Glass Cages is located. They sell heavy duty bulk heads there.

With the bulk heads, it doesn't matter which way they go in. Threads can be in the tank or out. What matters it the seal. Only use one and it goes on the part that looks like a mushroom, never on the nut side. If you put it on the nut side it will bunch up when you tighten it and leak.

To re-cap;

The mushroom looking part can go in either way. I put mine with the flange (larger part) inside the tank so I could tighten the nut from underneath.

They can go in the other way, just make sure you always put the gasket on the mushroom looking part first.

Plumbing is hit or miss and pvc is cheap so have at it! If it doesn't work, start over.

If you can some pics would be great. We all love to see builds...

 

[reefNchips]

Ok they way I was going to put the bulkheads in is with the mushroom and the gasket on the inside of the tank.

Then all I do is thread on the flex pipe and clamp it? Is that correct.

Well the first step was to move the 55 and place my new 180 where it was located. Had to move it 14' across the room to a different wall.

Here are the only pics I have so far. Am having to take the tank back and exchange it at Aquatic Critter this Thursday. My wife was cleaning it the morning after I got it and noticed a 3 inch scratch in the middle of veiwing area. :mad2:

So there will be one more big heavy move this week. load and unload and load and unload once again.

New tank and homade stand.

 

[foggy54]

Nice tank and stand, your on your way now.

 

[reefNchips]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10454779#post10454779 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by foggy54
Nice tank and stand, your on your way now.

Thanks. I have a feeling this is going to take a while. I keepp changing my mind about where the sump will go. basement or under the tank.

 

[aquaman67]

Nice.