Plumbing Suggestions - Opinions Wanted

[tanglovers]

Hi All,

Well planning the broodstock system continues and I appreciate all the help you guys have given me so far. I have come up with a rough idea of what I am thinking. The tanks are going to be on two rows in the shape of an L, 10 gallons along the top and 29 gallons along the bottom. In the diagram I would be planning six 10 gallons (2 sets of 3) and four 29 gallon tanks. For a pump I am looking at using a ReefFlo Dart possibly or similar pump pulling water from a central sump. What do you think of my thought process on this system? Each small box in the diagram would represent where the water would enter each tank using a ball valve to control the amount that enters. I am planning on plumbing the main lines in 1.5" PVC (1" if I can get away with it) and then reducing it down to 1/2" or 3/4" as it enters each tank.

I am not a plumber or have any formal plumbing experience so looking to get advice from others.

Also will the ReefFlo Dart work for this application? I know it says works best with little head pressure. Also considering making the rows of three 10 gallon rows of 5-6 side by sdie if more broodstock pairs are desired down the road.

My main concern is by controlling the water in this manor, should I design the return line so that it loops back down into the sump to accomodate the chance of too much water being pumped through the lines?

Do you guys think this will be a fairly efficient method of doing the return plumbing?

If reading this it does not make sense let me know and I will try to put together better diagrams/drawings.

Thanks!
Scott

 

[Dman]

A return line is a good idea if at any time you don't have all of the tanks up and running. Gives yo a little more control in terms of individual tank water turnover rates.

 

[mwp]

I can't answer any of your questions as I'm not familiar with the pump, but there's one thing I can interject on the topic of plumbing your system - water change DRAIN lines. Something that you can just siphon water into from each tank and it disappears - no buckets, no roller buckets, no pythons their associated waste water...heck you can use 2" tubing to drain a tank REALLY FAST as long as the drain lines are in place. Where to run it? Floor drain or maybe plumb it in on a sink or something. We ran ours in front of the tanks along the racks, but I bet there's other ways to do it (i.e. maybe leave a few inches next to each tank to put the drain line on the side).

Bottom line, bar none, it made maintenance a relative cakewalk during my time at the hatchery.

FWIW,

MP