Plumbing question for everyone

[badazztealcobra]

I am planning out the plumbing for the tank im going to be setting up and have come up with the following setup.....

It'll have (2) 1" drains down to the sump, and (2) 3/4" returns.

Now come the questions.....

Since I have 2 drains, Im assuming I'll make two dursos for the outside of them correct ??

On my return from the MAG7, I was thinking about going with a SCWD from the output and going to each of the returns... Will the one 3/4" return at a time be enough for the mag7, or should I ditch the SCWD idea..... Also will it cut down the flow too much on the mag7 to even make it worthwhile to use ??

Is it okay to use the flexible tubing for the returns and drains ??? I know where to use union ball valves and stuff like that to be able to isolate equipment to work on it or change it out, but didnt know if all the tubing needed to be rigid or not....

Would my best bet for the returns be to come up and over the top of the tank, or go through the tank with bulkheads and locline ??

Finally, is there a set number of inches you should come down off the rim to place your bulkheads ??? I was planning on making the setup pretty close (okay, REALLY close :lol: ) to Pat's (NewSchool) 30g cube, just with an additional 3/4" return....

Thanks for any help or info you can give before I order all the plumbing parts....

 

[robsee06]

IMHO...

If you have 1" drains then have 1" returns...I can't thing of a good reason to use smaller diameter pipe unless you are trying to restrict flow...which you probably are not.

I think you don't need the SCWD. You will get more flow out oif your Mag this way.

Flexible tubing is OK...rigid sch 40 PVC is the proper way to do it. It is not expensive, it is easy to do, and it will be more sturdy.

Bulkheads and Loc line for sure....get your tank drilled.

It doesn't really matter where the hole is along the rim. You must take into account the flange on the bulkhead. You can use locline to direct the flow lower if you feel it is too high. Higher will help in preventing a back siphon if your pump stops working.

 

[cas]

I can not stand having things hanging over the top of the tank. Go with the bulkheads and lockline. It will give you a much cleaner look.

IMO.

 

[mhurley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10536155#post10536155 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by robsee06
IMHO...

If you have 1" drains then have 1" returns...I can't thing of a good reason to use smaller diameter pipe unless you are trying to restrict flow...which you probably are not.

Actually, it's quite common to have larger drains than returns. Look at any commercial tank and they're usually configured this way. My old AGA 120 had 1" drains and 3/4 returns.
You need larger diameter on the drain since it's not pressurized flow, just gravity fed and it also helps prevent gurgling.

General comments: Agree on the bulkheads, I don't like things hanging over the back.

I'm not a fan of flexible tubing. It can kink over time, get covered in algae because of it being transparent...etc. Hard PVC is just cleaner.

I put a SCWD on a Mag 7 and took it off after about an hour. It cuts flow way down. Not worth it IMO.

 

[robsee06]

Kind Of...

A 1" drain gurgling or not has nothing to do with the size of the return. It has everything to do with the drain being big enough.

Typically the limiting factor in a reef tank as far as flow goes is the size of the pump (typical) or the amount of water the overflow can accomodate. No need to further limit or complicate things by by changing pipe sizes.

If you must (and I should have mentioned this) plumb it with 1" and you can put a ball valve on the return if you need to reduce flow.

Everybody wants flow, flow, flow...big pipes, big flow...

All good ideas though...good luck!

 

[badazztealcobra]

Is it okayto build the durso on the inside of the overflow box and on tha back of the tank just have a 90* fitting going to the sump ??? I dont see any reason why it wouldnt work unless imoverlooking something.... This should give me the ability to get the tank close to my wall in theory....

 

[robsee06]

Is the bottom of the tank tempered glass?

If it is then I would do what you suggested...if I understand it correctly.

If it is not then drill the bottom of the tank.