plumbing question

[Chirojonesy]

Have a new 210 gallon with a 55 gallon sump. Tank is pre drilled with two overflows and holes are in bottom of tank. Would like some ideas on besr way to plumb the sump and tank. Thanks!

 

[toku58]

Best way is the hard line it in with union joints, and check valves. But easiest way is to do it with flexible tubing.

 

[julie180]

Check valves? I think you mean gate valves.

 

[toku58]

Check valves? I think you mean gate valves.

LOL!! A horse of a different color is still horse! Check valves allows fluid to move only in one direction!

 

[ChimolaFish]

I'm in the process of plumbing my 90. Wouldn't you want gate valves AND check valves. I mean, check valves will make sure to break a siphone while a gate valve will be able to change the speed of the water movement through the sump?

 

[thegrun]

Best way is the hard line it in with union joints, and check valves. But easiest way is to do it with flexible tubing.

I would NEVER rely on a check valve in a saltwater aquarium. It is only a mater of time before it sticks and if you use it to pevent your sump from overflowing sooner or later you will have a flood.

 

[toku58]

I would NEVER rely on a check valve in a saltwater aquarium. It is only a mater of time before it sticks and if you use it to pevent your sump from overflowing sooner or later you will have a flood.

Check valve is a bit of insurance, some people drill holes into their hard line to prevent syphoning of the water. I just locate my return line at the same level as the drain box. (or a bit lower) That way the amount that can flow back is limited.

Also make sure you have a large enough sump to accomodate any flow back issues. I've calculated the amount that can flow back and the additional unused space in my sump to insure that it won't overflow.

 

[ChimolaFish]

I would NEVER rely on a check valve in a saltwater aquarium. It is only a mater of time before it sticks and if you use it to pevent your sump from overflowing sooner or later you will have a flood.

Well, that's why you clean it ;]

But yea, it's a legitimate concern

 

[danil]

you can do setup when sump is big enough to hold all water from return. You can still use check valve. More redundancy is better here.

 

[ChimolaFish]

I agree