Plumbing plan for new tank.... wadaya think?

dannieboiz

dannieboiz

Active member
I like the idea of having a bottom return but seems drilling the bottom of the tank put too much stress on it. So perhaps I can drill the lower back of the tank and run 3/4" spa flex from the back to the front where I want the return to be then have 1.5" or so of sand covering it exposing just the PVC/Locline @ the bottom.

I want to use a Dart for its' efficiency but the SS will only take 1" in. So what I plan on doing is Teeing the 1.5" out of the Dart, 1 into the Super Squirt, and again Teeing the other 1" into 2x 3/4" using that for the bottom return. I thought of putting the output of the SS on the bottom of the tank but the on and off flow may suck sand into the pipe.

What do you think? The tank is going to be 48x24x25 starfire.


Plumbing%20layout.jpg
 
Don't let the 1" intake affect your plan. You can put a Dart on an SS, but you would have to throttle it down a bit with a gate valve (though not much, as I've heard of 3k gph through the SS units). Teeing uses all available gph, though, with more outlets. Where have you read that drilling in the bottom puts too much stress on it? Most overflows I have seen utilize this format. The reason I ask is that I am about to drill my 36x24x17 for bottom returns and would definitely like to have as much info available influencing my decisions.
Good luck.
 
Hmm, please don't show that picture to my wife. The cracks spider out from each b-head. I'm hoping the deminsions and rock placement in my tank will not allow that to happen, but it concerns me nonetheless. More reinforcement in the b-head area?

The SS can't be hurt. It's magnetic. The dart can't be hurt. It's Sequence.

Classic. I seached for this link and there you were. Anyway, he doesn't seem to have any probs, so that's what I'm basing my confidence in.

I'd put a gate before the SS and let the excess go to the tee.
 
Gate valve is going to be installed @ every outlet, "T"ing it is a must and the water must goes some where (can't be the sump) so back to the display it goes. :) I was determined to drill the bottom until I saw that. W/O any second thoughts I replan my plumbing.
 
With regards to your original question, I'd say you're golden. I like the undersand concept. It will take a lot of sand, though.
 
can't be that bad. I have about that much sand in my 100g tank.

On the plus side, if I ever need to drain my entire tank, it'll be a snap. Remove the plumbing and open the valve. :) would work for Water changes too.
 
Don't split the return output man... hook it up to a Sea Swirl to get random flow :D ..

Nice drawing... not bad for first time user :p
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7814508#post7814508 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Elite
Don't split the return output man... hook it up to a Sea Swirl to get random flow :D ..

Nice drawing... not bad for first time user :p
Click to expand...

yah I spent half of my work day doing that. :)

the seaswirl Idea isn't bad. BUT THAT"S MORE $$$ that I don't have. :(
 
Buy it used.. about $100
I need to get one to test it out.. I tried everything already but that :D ..
 
I've played with on before, nothing too special. Basically some plastic pipes in a housing with a motoer circulating

I was thinking of putting one in the middle of the back, but my over flow is there. It'll be much easier to plumb, or if I bought 2 sea swirls I wouldn't even need the SS, closed loop with 2 seaswirls.
 
I will have a few 1/2" swirls for sale soon. Taking apart an old tank and don't need them anymore. They are great.
 
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