Plumbing material
- Thread starter emm0909
- Start date
cardiffgiant
Active member
Advantages = diameter (larger diameter will reduce headloss and noise. and durability (I wouldn't be comfortable using a pressure rated pump with a hoses barbs and clear tubing).
Someone recently shared a link to that black super flex. I've gotten white spa flex at Lowes and at local pool stores.
AmherstReef
New member
I just used the Ultra Flex which you can get from Marine Depot , worked great.
mr.maroonsalty
New member
If I were going from the basement I would probably use the black plastic well pipe, maybe not but I would price it.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
I plumbed a basement sump in my previous house with clear X reinforced flex and I loved it. When I decided to move my sump to the other side of my basement I basically picked it up and moved it using the same drain and return lines!
I like it because it glues to PVC couplings and it's tough (scraping and rubbing on things). honestly it is overkill, as is most of what we do. One end of the line is open, there is pressure, but nothing a regular nice clear not-re-enforced can't handle. with the clear lines I worry about abrasion.
isn't a 1.5" vinyl more expensive than flex PVC?
if you are doing a basement sump look at the head loss calculater on the reefcentral.com home page. chances are you want to run 1.5" - keep an eye on how much your sump can hold when the pump goes off - you have the tank water + the lines full of water.
isn't a 1.5" vinyl more expensive than flex PVC?
if you are doing a basement sump look at the head loss calculater on the reefcentral.com home page. chances are you want to run 1.5" - keep an eye on how much your sump can hold when the pump goes off - you have the tank water + the lines full of water.
It's too easy to get ahead of yourself and forget something like this. My current sump clearly will not work.
I don't think I want to run a return line any larger than my return on my tank. If the outlet at into the tank is only 1" what's the point in going larger on the hose leading up to it, right?
The line to the tank has resistance which reduces flow - increasing diameter of the line decreases resistance and lets you run a smaller pump for the same flow. keep the resistance to the tank down and you can run a smaller pump.
using the head loss calculator:
with a blueline HD55, 10 feet across, 10 feet up:
3/4" line: 672 GPH
1" line: 781 GPH
1.25" line: 830 GPH
1.5" line: 840 GPH
with a mag 12, 10 feet across, 10 feet up:
3/4" line: 381 GPH
1" line: 486 GPH
1.25" line: 553 GPH
1.5" line: 571 GPH
A while back I rebuilt an existing system for a friend - he was running a dolphin high RPM pump drawing 7.5 amps ppushing water upstairs through 3/4" lines to a 1" bulkhead. by moving to 1 1/2" line I was able to move him to a 3 amp low RPM pump, just from increasing pipe diameter. [note- there was a lot more to this system, but you get the idea]
hoaglanddiver
New member
what's the size of your tank? that would give you the needed turnover in GPH which could then dictate pump and pipe sizes.
It all comes into play.
Word.
It's a Marineland 75 gallon. I don't know the flow rate of the tank but I think they are around 500gph. I've got a mag 9 throttled way back currently but I just don't think it's going to cut it from the basement. I'm contemplating a mag 12. I've got an external Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC but that's going to be far too much flow it seems. If someone is looking to upgrade, let me know.
This isn't what I started the thread for but seeing as though that question is answered we might as well keep it going.
cardiffgiant
Active member
Going larger on the return line will prevent a reduction in flow from head loss and pipe friction. A short distance of a narrower channel won't have as much impact as a long run of a narrower pipe.
Alright, I've got the sump setup in the basement and will be running a 1" return line from the Little Giant as opposed to the current .75" return.
I'm looking at clear tubing for the return line for multiple reasons. I will be able to view the flow and notice if there is anything wrong with the drain just by looking at it in most cases. It might end up too dirty to tell though. Also, I've got pretty much unlimited fittings for these kind of hoses. So I'm wondering if I should go with a 1.25" or a 1.5" drain. Will the 1.25" drain cause any issues?
I plan on diverting the drain to multiple locations/tanks by the sump instead of diverting the return to multiple tanks.
I'm looking at clear tubing for the return line for multiple reasons. I will be able to view the flow and notice if there is anything wrong with the drain just by looking at it in most cases. It might end up too dirty to tell though. Also, I've got pretty much unlimited fittings for these kind of hoses. So I'm wondering if I should go with a 1.25" or a 1.5" drain. Will the 1.25" drain cause any issues?
I plan on diverting the drain to multiple locations/tanks by the sump instead of diverting the return to multiple tanks.
I went with the 1" return and 1.25" drain and it is way more than enough. The tank is now plumbed to the basement finally.
Do people support their tubing coming from the tank? I have it attached to the tank and it pretty much hangs all the way to the pump. That's a hose filled with pressurized water. I'm a little afraid it'll blow off.
Do people support their tubing coming from the tank? I have it attached to the tank and it pretty much hangs all the way to the pump. That's a hose filled with pressurized water. I'm a little afraid it'll blow off.
The drain shouldn't have much pressure inside it. It's probably flowing quick, but there isn't much pressure.
I would definitely support the plumbing somehow. You should be able to find pipe hangers at the hardware store.
I would definitely support the plumbing somehow. You should be able to find pipe hangers at the hardware store.
Ahh, gotcha. Yeah, I'd hang all the plumbing with a bracket or something. Having that weight hang from the glass tank probably isn't a wise move long term. It's only a matter of time before it gets bumped with an arm or shoulder.
I found out last night that I've got hardwood floors under my carpets too. Hardwoods with a nice big hole in it now.
I'm really interested in ripping the carpets out to refinish them but to do that I'll need to take my tank down for the day. I guess I'll start saving up for an upgrade.
I'm really interested in ripping the carpets out to refinish them but to do that I'll need to take my tank down for the day. I guess I'll start saving up for an upgrade.
