Plumbing and Skimmer set up

[jamesgang]

I'd like to put this out to a wide audience. I'm putting together my 72 Bow with a 29g sump. I'd like to know the advatages and disadvantages of 1. Hard and soft plumbing and 2. venturi and neddle wheel skimmers.

I was leaning away from hard PVC just becasue if I wanted to make small changes under my tank I could move my sump, a few inches either way, without worrying about breaking a piece of pipe or at the least breaking the connection of two pipes.

As far as the skimmer goes I prefer a venturi just so I don't have to clean of replace a needle wheel.

What do you guys think? Give me as much info as you can.

 

[northbay-reefer]

I use flexible hose for everything and love it, its alot easier to make modification and moving things around.

As for skimmer, I used them all, but I prefered the needle wheel skimmer because its the most efficient IMO. If you use the venturi, even thoough you dont have to replace the needle wheel, you still have to replace the pump impeller so its about the same as far as maintenance.

 

[jkreefer]

Hey Tom, How do you know when to replace pump impeller, it will just become less efficient?

I have a venturi and i love it but i have never tried needle wheel.

And 2nd on the flexible hose.

 

[sulcata1619]

Who is this Jkreefer guy and why is he using Jeff's avatar!


I am plumbing a bunch of stuff in my garage and am going to use spa flex for most everything.
I use a euroreef RS-80 and I love it.

 

[jamesgang]

Sulcata is your Spa flex hose clear or the white stuff with the fibers in it?

I too just ordes the RS 80 along with a Poseidon PS4 (Titanium) Pump to go with my sump. Looks like it's off to Lowe's for a couple of 90's and some flex hose.

Thanks guys.

 

[sulcata1619]

I also will be buying flex this weekend. I am planning on using the white. it is kink free and glues into regular pvc fittings.