Plumbing question

VoidRaven

VoidRaven

'tis himself
Premium Member
First off....I do not understand plumbing...especially PVC.

I working on putting together a new system and had a PVC plumbing question. I'm using a Little Giant 3MDQX-SC as the return pump on a 100g display with a 20g sump (120g total volume). The input and output on the pump is 1". For the return I want to split the output so at the end of the 1" return line I'm going to put a 1" to 1/2" elbow which feeds a 1/2x1/2x1/2 "three way" PVC 90 degree "elbow with input on the side" type piece.

So essentially I'm going from 1" down to 1/2" and then splitting that 1/2" into two 1/2" nozzles. The distance from the pump to the beginning of the return nozzle assembly is about 4 feet.

Is this OK??? Can this be done or am I going to be creating problems? I've purchased everything but have not assembled any of it yet so I can take it back if I need to. Finding parts is a pain though.

Oh yeah, and anyone know where I can get 1 1/4" ID round gaskets to put between the PVC and the glass???
 
Sounds like trouble, you better get a reefing buddy over to help, the gasket idea isn't a good one. They sell special parts just for that.
 
I was with you until you mentioned the gasket. Why is the PVC contacting the glass? why not use a bulkhead?

They do sell plumbing pieces that are 1"x1/2"x1/2" so that you don't have to reduce before getting there. But keeping the pipe as large as possible as long as possible is a good thing, especially around 90 corners as this creates turbulence.

Also on a 4' run you should suspend the pipe using hangers.
 
The reason for the gasket, or rubber o-ring, or whatever the heck it was prior, is because the tanks were NOT drilled for bulkheads. The original tank (I bought the 100g setup from Rick2880) was configured with all PVC...no bulkheads. Hence, between the PVC and the glass was a type of gasket (for lack of better term). Both the sump and the tank would have to be re-drilled to widen the holes for 1" bulkheads and I really don't want to mess with that.

*sigh* I always seem to end up with complicated scenarios. This is why I never ran sumps on any of my previous tanks. Never wanted to deal with the plumbing. I've been to Lowes and HD and already have to return some parts...heck, trying to find *anything* at each store took forever.

Well, I've got some time as I'm not putting anything together before the swap. I plan on really working on this next week. So if folks got ideas on how I can do this and where I can get the parts I would be welcome to ANYTHING! Even pics of similar setups so I can get a visual idea would be beneficial.
 
plumbing

plumbing

I'm trying to picture a one inch piece of pvc that reduces to two 1/2 inch "Y". Remember, you put extra duty on your pump when you constrict flow from 1 inch and add elbows etc... You can get sheet rubber in the plumbing section at Lowes/HD. Trace out what you need and cut it with scissors. You can hold your sheet rubber in place with a little silicone. I'd have to look at it. Try not to restrict your flow or use a scwd "switching current water device." I plumbed 3/4 flexible hose to my scwd and it split to my two nozzles on my tank. The scwd switches your flow back and forth without constriction. Pretty nifty. Corals like the wave action.

I go to Lowes off of Arlington Rd. There's a fella named Paul who works in plumbing. He knows his stuff. Vietnam vet who protected our president and did quite a bit of plumbing in his day. He's very patient and will work with you. I would have stared at the PVC bins for hours without his help.
 
Is this a glass tank or acrylic? I would just invest the $7 in a 1" bulkhead and drill the tank. If you need a hand getting it done just let me know. I have the drill and diamond holesaw for 1" bulkheads and don't live far from you. I will be drilling a couple holes in one of my tanks sometime over the next few days if you would like to watch and see if it is something you may want to do or have done. Really once they are drilled it is almost a maintenance-free setup. just keep your drains free of any foreign matter and you don't have to deal with siphon overflow boxes or anything that need constant monitoring.

-- Kevin
 
I may be dropping you a PM next week Kevin depending on how my chat with a family member who is good with this stuff goes. I greatly appreciate your offer!

Tank is glass btw.
 
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