Rickyrooz1
Acropora Nut
Great thread
NEW plumbing method for an ULTRA QUIET REEF TANK!!!! LONG !!!!
- Thread starter Herbie
- Start date
TheFishMan65
New member
You could create one box across the back and only as dep s the bulkheads. This would give great surface skimming. Look up some Calfo threads for more information.
Rhodes19
New member
+1 If you could do a coast to coast, that would be great. I take it the bulkheads are near the top?
DML08
Member
so after a mix up from my tank builder I ended up with 2 3/4'' holes and 1@ 1.5''.. so this is what I'm thinking of doing.. one of the 3/4'' I'm gonna use a 1.25'' standpipe at full siphon the 1.5'' is gonna be the durso as a back up and the last 3/4'' is gonna be my return, do you guys think this will work?
SpacedCowboy
New member
As far as I am aware, the only purpose of the standpipe is the second of these reasons. The height of water in the overflow is controlled by the gate valve, not the standpipe height.
If you have enough space in your sump to accomodate the extra water due to the overflow volume when the electricity fails, there's no need for the standpipe at all.
Simon
Herbie
Yep,that one
Yes, but the overflow holds a LOT of water, more than you would think! If you have the room in your sump for drain down when the power is cut, no problem. Few people do. I personally keep my main drain approx 6" under the top of the overflow "edge", and the emergency starts to pick up at approx 1/4" below the edge of the overflow. On a powerdown, I only drainback about 1/2 gallon of water.
Herbie
SpacedCowboy
New member
Sure, but for people like me with a 180g tank that's being used as a sump for a 240g display, it's not likely to be a problem
Simon
Herbie
Yep,that one
Yea, larger tanks will likely have large sumps, so no problem.
I have had fish get into the overflow more than a few times. If I didnt have the standpipe on the high side, in a powerfail, the fish would be dead. Small concern to be sure, but something to think about ...... :fun4:
Somepeople also use that area as a mini fuge.
Herbie
I have had fish get into the overflow more than a few times. If I didnt have the standpipe on the high side, in a powerfail, the fish would be dead. Small concern to be sure, but something to think about ...... :fun4:
Somepeople also use that area as a mini fuge.
Herbie
Last edited:
SpacedCowboy
New member
This is a good point. Not very likely to happen, but there's no reason not to have a standpipe, and you just *know* you'll have a fish in there when there's a power failure if you dont have a standpipe...
I was mainly trying to say that the gate valve is what sets the water height in the overflow, anyway
looking forward to setting one of these up when the new 240g tank arrives on Tuesday Simon
Herbie
Yep,that one
This is a good point. Not very likely to happen, but there's no reason not to have a standpipe, and you just *know* you'll have a fish in there when there's a power failure if you dont have a standpipe...
I was mainly trying to say that the gate valve is what sets the water height in the overflow, anyway
Simon
You are exactly correct. I used to initially run this way when I was just starting to experiment :lmao:.
Good luck with the new tank.
Herbie
DML08
Member
^^:dance: anyone..
Rhodes19
New member
Sorry if I missed it, but what size tank is it? Are the holes all in one overflow? If it was me, and they were all in the same overflow, I would go with the 1.5" as the main siphon drain as it can handle more water than the 3/4"(something to think about if you ever upgrade to a bigger pump) and would be less likely to clog. I would use one of the 3/4" as an emergency drain and use the other 3/4" as the return. You could also use both 3/4" as emergency overflow and bring the return up and over the back of the tank. HTH.
mnestroy
Active member
Hi,
I read bout 80% of the 54 pages Phfeww however I still have a few questions.
Plumbing has always been my kryptonite in this hoby.
I current have a 90G AGA RR, I have been using the standard AGA Megaflow kit/fittings and I want to switch over to this style.
My question is what do I need to swap out?
Right now my drain has 1 1/4 inch hose clamped onto the barbed fitting and my return is a 3/4 inch Barbed fitting.
I think I would like to switch from hoses & clamps to hard PVC, what do I need to do to acccomplish this? (or should i stick with hoses?)
1. I assume I need to replace both bulkheads, or does the AGA allow me to put a PVC on the inside of hte barb??
2. What Bulkhead do I used do use for the full siphon drain, the 3/4 or the 1inch
3. If I use the 3/4 for the siphon, Shouldn't I be able to leave the stock Megaflow Durso drain in place? and just raise it so that it is higher than the pipe currently being used for the return (so take the current return and remove lok-line and shorten it/put a cap/snail gaurd on it?)
4. What is the best way to replumb a Water Blaster HY-3000 to go over the back? I "think" the output on that pump is 1" it might be a tad off because its metric, but should I go hose all the way up to he back of the tank or go PVC?
This is my current setup.
I read bout 80% of the 54 pages Phfeww however I still have a few questions.
Plumbing has always been my kryptonite in this hoby.
I current have a 90G AGA RR, I have been using the standard AGA Megaflow kit/fittings and I want to switch over to this style.
My question is what do I need to swap out?
Right now my drain has 1 1/4 inch hose clamped onto the barbed fitting and my return is a 3/4 inch Barbed fitting.
I think I would like to switch from hoses & clamps to hard PVC, what do I need to do to acccomplish this? (or should i stick with hoses?)
1. I assume I need to replace both bulkheads, or does the AGA allow me to put a PVC on the inside of hte barb??
2. What Bulkhead do I used do use for the full siphon drain, the 3/4 or the 1inch
3. If I use the 3/4 for the siphon, Shouldn't I be able to leave the stock Megaflow Durso drain in place? and just raise it so that it is higher than the pipe currently being used for the return (so take the current return and remove lok-line and shorten it/put a cap/snail gaurd on it?)
4. What is the best way to replumb a Water Blaster HY-3000 to go over the back? I "think" the output on that pump is 1" it might be a tad off because its metric, but should I go hose all the way up to he back of the tank or go PVC?
This is my current setup.
Rhodes19
New member
Ok, yeah, I would go with the 1 1/2" as the main drain and use the other holes as emergency drains and have the return come up and over the back. I have a 180 rr with 2 overflows, one in each corner. Each one has a 3/4" and a 1" hole. I converted the 1" lines under the tank to a 1 1/2" pvc and tied them together with a Tee and I use the 3/4" as emergency drains. I also brought my return up and over the back of the tank. Here are some pics. HTH
1 1/2" teed together.
drain and emergency lines in overflow.
Over the back return.
I painted the return black and the only thing you can see is about 1/2" of the nozzles in the water.
Rhodes19
New member
Hi mnestroy, I'm not familiar with the AGA Megaflow kits but if you need to change out bulkheads, it shouldn't be a problem.
Hi,
I read bout 80% of the 54 pages Phfeww however I still have a few questions.
Plumbing has always been my kryptonite in this hoby.
I current have a 90G AGA RR, I have been using the standard AGA Megaflow kit/fittings and I want to switch over to this style.
My question is what do I need to swap out?
Right now my drain has 1 1/4 inch hose clamped onto the barbed fitting and my return is a 3/4 inch Barbed fitting.
I think I would like to switch from hoses & clamps to hard PVC, what do I need to do to acccomplish this? (or should i stick with hoses?)
I'd go with pvc because it will add some stable structure for the gate valve to connect to. Check your bulkheads. Are the barbs and bulkhead once solid piece or is the barb screwed into the bulkhead? If its screwed in, you can unscrew it, replace it with a threaded pvc adapter and run pvc to your sump. I would place a union joint near the bulkhead to make it easier to clean or unclog if the need ever arizes. If the barb is part of the bulkhead, then get a replacement bulkhead that is threaded on the inside both top and bottom, no slip joints. Do the same for both bulkheads.
1. I assume I need to replace both bulkheads, or does the AGA allow me to put a PVC on the inside of hte barb??
Not sure if AGA allows that but see if the barbs can be unscrewed. I don't believe pvc can be connected to barbs.
2. What Bulkhead do I used do use for the full siphon drain, the 3/4 or the 1inch
Go with the 1" for the siphon drain and use the 3/4" as your back up.
3. If I use the 3/4 for the siphon, Shouldn't I be able to leave the stock Megaflow Durso drain in place? and just raise it so that it is higher than the pipe currently being used for the return (so take the current return and remove lok-line and shorten it/put a cap/snail gaurd on it?)
Go with the 1" as your drain. That will give you the best option for more flow. You can make the emergency overflow with 3/4" pvc and either leave it open on top or place a 90 deg elbow on it.
4. What is the best way to replumb a Water Blaster HY-3000 to go over the back? I "think" the output on that pump is 1" it might be a tad off because its metric, but should I go hose all the way up to he back of the tank or go PVC?
I would use pvc coming off the pump, have a union joint in line for easy removal of the pump for maintenance or repair, and then have a 1" barb connected to the pvc. From there, run a tube to the top of the tank, and connect it to another barb that is screwed into 2, 90 deg elbows that go over the top of your tank. I have a Tee at the end of the second elbow where my locline screws into.
HTH
This is my current setup.
hillscp
Soylent Green is People!!
When I built mine I tore out a hard plumbed Durso that was making me crazy with noise and bubbles. Been running silent and bubble free for a year now. Thanks Herbie :beer:
If it were me I would just get new bulkheads. You are going to need to put a valve on the main drain anyway. New bulkheads don't cost that much so order two
Use the 1". Leave the 3/4 for the overflow.
I wouldn't do that. It will not siphon in an emergency with all those bubbles in there.
I am using two external Blue Line pumps (1200 gph through the return lines) and have no experience with that one. My personal preference is PVC. It just looks cleaner.
This is my current setup.
Here is how I plumbed mine
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16633654&postcount=35
And here is the finished product.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16585881&postcount=33
Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.
jeffreylam1132
New member
Very informative thread. Thanks
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