NEW plumbing method for an ULTRA QUIET REEF TANK!!!! LONG !!!!

[DeadReply]

Reef Octopus Overflow box

Reef Octopus Overflow box

Hi
Im new in this domain

i have purchased an overflow box and install yesterday

but im becoming crazy its not quiet.... i have read on
the forum and can you suggest me the good method
to remove this noise plzzzz :fun2:


in attachement a picture of my overflow box.


thanksss

 

[mnestroy]

mnestroy,

How is the plumbing going? Any updates?

I wanted to do it in staged, so i replaced the return line first and the emergency drain, however I am having slight leeks on some of my fittings where i went with threaded...

I donno why i'm getting leeks, I went with Schedule 80 Nipples and Schedule 80 Treaded 90's, tape and no tape.... and tight and supper tight..

I have a canopy and drilled a hole for the return using a 4inch nipple into 2 threaded 90s, and even with tape they leek, grhh So I'm gona enlarge the hole in the canopy and hard plumb it using a union so I can take the parts if need be.

Its leaking were the two treaded 90's join.

 

[mnestroy]

Okay, 18hrs later and a few dollars on new fittings and I came up with a better solution that will allow me to easily remove sections of the pipe for cleaning.

I was debating running PVC all the way down to, or at least 16inches close to the pump and then switch over to hose to avoid vibrations, but I already had the hose cut so I kept it 90% hose 10% PVC

In the 2nd photo I converted my old 3/4" Return line to the emergency drain by replacing the bulkhead with a double threaded and then I converted it up to 1" above and below bulkhead. I had to put a 90 in the end to make room for where the original 90 return went.

I didn't want to change the placement of the return (I've struggled very long finding just the right flow to keep all my softies happy and my LTA from moving) So the 3/4" 90 PVC that came with the stock AGA Mega overflow kit is now a 1" 90 -> 3/4" PVC Inverted (then to Loc-line like original kit)

Planning Take #2

Completed Take #2

Once I am confident in phase 1 I will replace the stock drain (AGA slip -> barb) bulkhead with a thread to thread and start to plumb the main siphon drain. Which will go from 1" to 1.5" right after both sides of bulkhead. I am optimistic this part will go a lot smoother with only needing to use threads on the gatevalve.

So far threaded fittings have not been my friend

 

[Rhodes19]

Hi mnestroy,

Very nice, it looks like you are getting there. I'm sorry you are having problems with the threads. I usually find that I don't put enough plumber's tape on it initially and wind up having to add more as I go. One time (that's all it took for me to learn ) I over tightened the joint and cracked it. But it looks like you have it well in hand. I can't wait to see more pictures as you move along.

 

[Rhodes19]

Hi
Im new in this domain

i have purchased an overflow box and install yesterday

but im becoming crazy its not quiet.... i have read on
the forum and can you suggest me the good method
to remove this noise plzzzz :fun2:


in attachement a picture of my overflow box.


thanksss

Hi DeadReply,

Welcome to RC. There are a few things you can do. The first think that would help is reduce the return flow. You can do this by either replacing your current pump with a lower flow pump or you can make a diverter to divert some of the flow from your pump back into the sump there by reducing your return flow. The second thing you can do is attach a gate valve to your over flow line and dial it down to try to get more water than air into your over flow line. The problem with that set up is you do not have a bulkhead for an emergency over flow and if you don't have you valve dialed in, you WILL flood. To be honest, that's probably not even an option for your overflow box. The next option is to drill the back of your tank (if it's not tempered) and add an overflow box kit from http://www.glass-holes.com/main.sc;jsessionid=D1C7510F60E503BAEF802307B0E950CA.qscstrfrnt04

There is not to much you can do with an overflow box. I have one on my wife's blood parrot cichlid tank and its noisy. I replaced the pump with a slower flow pump and that helped a little. I'm almost done making a pvc overflow that will allow double the flow the box can and with less noise. That might be an option as well. HTH.

 

[DML08]

Gate Valve or Ball Valve?? I think HD only has Ball valves that's why I'm asking.. Also, where would be the palce to put it? just after the bulkhead or at the sump just before the waterline??.. Also no GV/BV on the back up drain correct?? TIA..

 

[Herbie]

Gate valve is a must, it will cost you a few extra bucks, but its the heart of the system. I always try to get the gate valve as close to the sump as possible. The emergency should be open, and unrestricted.
HTH, Good luck with it.
Herbie

 

[DML08]

Thanks for the Reply Herbie..


I have another question. Left bulkhead is gonna be a 1.25 Durso(Back up) Reduced down to 3/4".. Center is going to be 1.5 Drain at full siphon, the one on the right 3/4 Return will feed both returns on both sides of the overflow.. do you think I can cram all the PVC in there and pipe it in, or do I just Pipe in the drains and use tubing for the return since its gonna be a tight spot....??

 

[ncmx3]

Herbie, I tried to open your original links but they wont open. I am starting a 210 and I want to drill my overflow through the rear of the tank. I am looking for a quiet overflow for once I am tired of my Gurgle busters being so loud.

 

[Herbie]

Guys,
I accidently deleted some of those old pictures a while ago. I didn't realize they would "vanish" from the thread.........doh!
Bulk Reef Supply has done a nice video presentation of this overflow method that will answer lots of questions. Just take a look at the Ultra quiet reef tank plumbing video.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/brs-tv/plumbing-videos

Hope this helps,
Herbie

 

[das75]

Thanks for the Reply Herbie..


I have another question. Left bulkhead is gonna be a 1.25 Durso(Back up) Reduced down to 3/4".. Center is going to be 1.5 Drain at full siphon, the one on the right 3/4 Return will feed both returns on both sides of the overflow.. do you think I can cram all the PVC in there and pipe it in, or do I just Pipe in the drains and use tubing for the return since its gonna be a tight spot....??

Don't need a Durso for the back up ca just be a straight standpipe. That will leave more room.

 

[Rhodes19]

Guys,
I accidently deleted some of those old pictures a while ago. I didn't realize they would "vanish" from the thread.........doh!
Bulk Reef Supply has done a nice video presentation of this overflow method that will answer lots of questions. Just take a look at the Ultra quiet reef tank plumbing video.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/brs-tv/plumbing-videos

Hope this helps,
Herbie

Cool Beans!! Nice video. Is that a recent addition?

 

[mnestroy]

I finished the rest of the plumbing,

Things took a little longer than I expected because this was my first time working with PVC, but overall no leaks, sounds, or bubbles...

I used 5 unions total, for ease of cleaning, in case u were wondering what that 3inc pvc is up front, its a reverse durso that my skimmer drains into, it cuts back the sound and micro bubbles from my skimmers return by like 90%

This is an AGA that I replaced the Mega overflow kit with, On the 1inch drain I imediately upsized to 1.5" on each side of bulkheads, and for the emerggency drain I upsized from 3/4" to 1" on both sides of bulkhead.

I have my waterblaster HY-3000 piped 1" all the way up to a 3/4" Loc-Line and is moving a ton of water and no bubbles in my tank at all

Special Thaks to Herbie for this invention,
and to Rhodes19 for all the detailed advice he provided

 

[george915]

Nice plumbing job Mnestroy!
I am interested in the pipe support thing you have there (the hook that supports the pvc pipe). Where did you get that or did you make it yourself?

Thanks

 

[Rhodes19]

Nice job mnestroy. I like the clean look and the pipe hangers. Well done.

 

[mnestroy]

Thanks the pipe hanger I got from mendards. I think thet are pretty common.. located in plumbing section stanard 'j hook' comes in all std sizes...

I didn't secure the ine inch bakup line yet. I have the hooks but figured since it woukdnt carry water the weight of the empty pvc wouldn't be to much strain on the bulkhead...I do plan on securing it in case it gets bumped.

 

[mnestroy]

http://www.google.com/#q=sioux+chie...gQrQQwBA&biw=1243&bih=556&fp=7b989c6c17f79c85

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

Its my bad to ask w/o reading much of the thread; I plan on doing so, but hope to work out some plumbing sketches before I get to it. Question is: I don't see what problem a tiny leak in a slip fitting might cause as it would be part of the syphon anyway? I'm thinking to use the adjustable slip fitting standpipe from the stock drain for the syphon tubes.

 

[Rhodes19]

Its my bad to ask w/o reading much of the thread; I plan on doing so, but hope to work out some plumbing sketches before I get to it. Question is: I don't see what problem a tiny leak in a slip fitting might cause as it would be part of the syphon anyway? I'm thinking to use the adjustable slip fitting standpipe from the stock drain for the syphon tubes.

Hi mr.maroonsalty,

As long as the system is running, a small leak should not be a problem. However, if the pump is turned off, that slow leak would let water continue to drain into the sump and if you are not planing for extra water in your sump, you could have a flood. HTH.

 

[DML08]

sorry cell phone pics...
here is the return installed, the left drain is the back up drain, I used spa flex to bring it up higher, the main drain is in the middle and will be running at full siphon so its only gonna come up 6'' or so.. everything is removable, really easy..

My T I made for the return I removed the vinyl tubing for some braided tubing which is much straighter..