Trying to Gain Knowlege on Plumbing

[cschwaj]

I have kept nanos and larger sump-less aquaria to date. I am looking to step into the world of the sump in the next few months, but am a plumbing novice.

Any suggested reads on the basics and beyond on plumbing systems. I mainly want to avoid known issues, flooding potential, better understand types of overflows, etc..

 

[BlakDuc]

www.melevsreef.com

Hope this helps, Joe.

 

[Bri Guy]

Drill and you will have a less chance of flooding compared to a syphon type overflow.

Im not a fan of the large space invading overflow boxes, check into a calfo style overflow box (there much smaller)

If you have alot of h20 being pumped it will be louder, so look into durso style pipes (I think there is an external durso style to save internal space, maybe im wrong)

You may need a bubble trap, or baffles to cut down on micro bubbles in the sump, before the water makes it back to the return pump, or you will have and eye sore in the show tank.

Remember, only the amount water being pumped UP will be able to return back down, so you can have a low turn over on a large tank, or a high turn over in a small tank, you decide the flow, but as you want more flow, additional bulkheads, or larger bulkheads will be needed.

Hope it helps some (I know I was lost when I first decided to add a sump, I think thats why I found RC, looking for then answer to how the heck you kept sumps from flooding )

Good luck!

 

[dominga]

Let me know when you are reay to do the plubming and I can help you with it.
By the way did you get the sump from steve?
Is this the set up that you want to use? because if it is that will be easier.

 

[cschwaj]

That would be the one. It is a very simple and nicely constructed sump (kudos to Steve). It already has a bulkhead and a nice area for the return pump. I am thinking about a SCWD for the return line as well.

For now, my main interest is learning about overflow styles. I am thinking of a centered three-sided acrylic overflow and then drilling the tank. Another option is the standpipe style like the tanks at Sharky's.

This is all 3 months down the road, but it will take me that long to do my reasearch, acquire lighting & pumps and get stuff built.

Bigger picture, I am thinking ahead for the future. I am in the market for a house and want to install a larger tank in a basement wall. I like learning and enjoy having a specific topic to research. I am an engineer by degree, so tech details are well absorbed.

I'm sure I will take you up on the offer and appreciate it. I am a big fan of realizing when I am in over my head.

 

[dominga]

Great. I am teaching a pre-engineering class at the Middle school level, is call Project Lead the way and it has pretty good stuff.
I like it a lot and the engineering career looks really interesting most of the time I end up working in the projects along with my students. there is one area of robotics that i really enjoy.

 

[cschwaj]

Engineering is fine; I quickly realized the drudgery of the details are not for me. Also, 4 cubicle walls start to suck after about 10 minutes. I went directly into technical sales out of college and am still there.

Now teaching... that sounds like a nice blend of challenge, fun and frustration. Oh, and a little dangerous these days.

Someday I hope to have the time and cash for law school.