New Tank Arrived. Need Some Plumbing Advice...

[hummer]

I'm trying to do my plumbing (first time) by dry fitting all the parts but I've run into a little snag. The Flex Hose I bought from Western Pump are a little too stiff. The distance from the overflow to the sump isn't very far so the flex hose isn't bending the way I want it to. I have a few questions...
1. Do you know where I can get 'more flexible' hose in Calgary?
2. I might decide to go with PVC pipes instead of flex hose. For those who have done that, how do you design it so that it can be dismantled later if you ever need to move your tank and/or sump?

I've attached some pictures of what my setup looks like. Any help you can provide would be great! Pictures are good too. Thanks.

2647
2648
2649
2650

[albert_dao]

You can heat up the flex with a heat gun to increase flexibility. The pipe will set in the form you've bent it to after it cools.

As far as modular assembly, that is a GOOD idea and easily accomplished with unions/true union ball valves.

Also, your pictures are not showing up :(

[hummer]

I logged into a different computer and I can see my pics in the first and third post. Sorry for all the pictures. I can't seem to delete this 3rd post. Let me know if you're still having troubles viewing the pictures.
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2647&d=1207190857
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2649&d=1207190857
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2650&d=1207190914

[mseepman]

Nice looking setup...where did you get your tank.

[albert_dao]

I logged into a different computer and I can see my pics in the first and third post. Sorry for all the pictures. I can't seem to delete this 3rd post. Let me know if you're still having troubles viewing the pictures.
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2647&d=1207190857
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2649&d=1207190857
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2650&d=1207190914

I'd hard plumb all of the drain lines and only use FLEX on the return.

Umm, who designed your sump?

[untamed]

If you do decide to use PVC, the answer to your dismantle question is...valves and unions.

[RonPeter]

I can't see your pictures either! :(

[brizzo]

Pictures are loading for me!

I can't see your pictures either! :(

[hummer]

I bought this setup from Golds. They designed the sump for me as well.

I read somewhere, maybe on this forum, that using elbows in your overflow will decrease the slurping sound. Has anyone ever tried that?

[jasond]

Nice tank! Looks deep, what are the dimensions? Hopefully you have long arms!!! :biggrin:

[digital-audiophile]

I was having the same problem getting the larger OD flex pipe to bend properly. What I did was fill the bathtub with as hot of water as I could and let the pipe sit in it for 1/2 and hour. After that it was a great deal easier to bend.

[hummer]

Nice tank! Looks deep, what are the dimensions? Hopefully you have long arms!!! :biggrin:

The main tank is 90gal. 48x18x24. The stand is 48x18x30. The sump is a 33gal. I'm about 6' but I need to buy a step stool :biggrin:

[hummer]

I was having the same problem getting the larger OD flex pipe to bend properly. What I did was fill the bathtub with as hot of water as I could and let the pipe sit in it for 1/2 and hour. After that it was a great deal easier to bend.

Good idea. I'll give that a try too. I was thinking since I want to be able to take it apart in the future, I may just cut the flex into smaller lengths and connect them with unions like some suggested.

[albert_dao]

Can you snap a full shot of your sump?

[hummer]

Can you snap a full shot of your sump?

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2648&d=1207190857

[hummer]

I've been trying to dry fit all the plumbing parts together but there are some connections that require a bit of force. Like PVC into Bulkhead in the overflow. Any recommendations on how or what order I should plumb my setup? Or what order do people generally plumb their parts so that you can easily connect all the parts from overflow to sump? I'm worried about adding to much force to get the parts to fit together once the glue is on that the tank might chip or crack.
Thanks!!

[banditpowdercoat]

PVC will go together easier once glue is applied. It kinda lubricates the joints. As long as you use primer, and evenly spread glue, the PVC will seal up nice even if there is only 1/2 of the pipe sticking in the connection depth. Wouldn't trust less than 1/2 though.

[Lance]

I've been trying to dry fit all the plumbing parts together but there are some connections that require a bit of force. Like PVC into Bulkhead in the overflow. Any recommendations on how or what order I should plumb my setup? Or what order do people generally plumb their parts so that you can easily connect all the parts from overflow to sump? I'm worried about adding to much force to get the parts to fit together once the glue is on that the tank might chip or crack.
Thanks!!

For dry fitting, a little petroleum jelly helps. Just wipe it off when you're ready to glue

[mark]

I measure my PVC then cut to length, then dry fit more for marking for alignment. As said if you de-burr the pipe, it will bottom out with the glue, as the glue acts as a lube.

I'd be a little hesitant about trying any lubricant for fear of contaminating the joint.

[hummer]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm getting ready to glue now. Just wondering...Do I need to apply pvc cement to connecting parts that are going to be inside the fish tank?

Here is what I have so far by dry fitting. The pieces will fit more accurately once I apply the primer and glue. Am I on the right track before I start glueing?

I'm still missing a pvc on the far overflow. I'll cut that tomorrow.
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2749&stc=1&d=1208493118

These parts will be connect with flex hose.
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2751&stc=1&d=1208493118

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2750&stc=1&d=1208493118

[banditpowdercoat]

Looking good to me :D

[hummer]

Cool!! Thanks! I'm excited to start filling it with water. Do I need to apply pvc cement to connecting parts that are going to be inside the fish tank?

[digital-audiophile]

Not really since if it leaks it's just going back in the tank anyhow :)

[hummer]

Not really since if it leaks it's just going back in the tank anyhow :)

OK. That's what I thought. I was just worried that pressure might force the parts to fall off.

[digital-audiophile]

If it's just the return from your sump it shouldn't really have that much pressure. On my rebie return the my overflow I just have the fittings pushed together with no glue, the drip a little bit and get salt creep but have not had any major issues with not using glue.

[Pescador]

If you don't already have it there is a different cement for the flex connections. I don't know if it's 100% necessary maybe some one else here knows.

[bv_reefer]

ya i just started gluing fittings where the part of the pipes out of the water and once again for the elbows submerged in the tank, just pushed them together tightly, nice tank btw!

[hummer]

If you don't already have it there is a different cement for the flex connections. I don't know if it's 100% necessary maybe some one else here knows.

Yes, that is the one I have. It's called PVC Flex Cement. The person I spoke with at Western Pumps says I should just use the Flex Cement for both flex to pvc connections and pvc to pvc connections. He says they are both the same except the Flex Cement allows a little flexibility if your connections where to shift a bit.

[hummer]

I started filling my tank. I have about 1/4 tank of water. Every time i walk by, the vibration ripples the water (Like in Jurassic Park). If I walk harder, the water moves even more. I never noticed this in my old tank. I have hardwood floors. There is plywood and hard foam between the tank and metal stand. There is still construction going on around my area as well. Should I be concerned about the vibrations for both tank stability and future inhabitants.

Thanks

[dsaundry]

I would suspect that once the tank is full you wouldn't notice that. So long as you have done your homework on whether your floor is capable of holding weight and tank is level...you shouldn't have any issues. Well maybe just one issue...How soon can I put fish in?:lol:

[hummer]

After running up and down from my basement 25ish times carrying jugs of saltwater, my tank is almost filled up. Since I've never really cycled a new tank before (first saltwater tank was given to me by my friend), how much of my live rock from my existing tank should I add to begin the cycle? Should I throw any raw shrimp in there?
--Thanks!

[hummer]

I have a slight problem. Water seems to be seeping through the bulkheads in the overflow box. Any suggestions on how I can repair this? Thanks for any help.

[Railskinner]

to bad i can't get the pictures on the first couple pages of this thread to show up, would like to see whats going down. looks like it's going to be a nice setup once up and running.

[mark]

I have a slight problem. Water seems to be seeping through the bulkheads in the overflow box. Any suggestions on how I can repair this? Thanks for any help.

Found the nuts do need to be more than just hand tight though see that's often recommended. Also what I do is make sure everything is clean, place a real thin smear of silicone on both sides of the gasket, again not recommended by many. If using silicone really need to be careful not to overtighten as can push the gasket out.

[hummer]

to bad i can't get the pictures on the first couple pages of this thread to show up, would like to see whats going down. looks like it's going to be a nice setup once up and running.

Sorry about that.
I've taken some updated pictures with my camera phone. Not sure where my camera went. Hope you can see these ones.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/508/medium/plumb4.jpg

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/508/medium/plumb3.jpg

[hummer]

Found the nuts do need to be more than just hand tight though see that's often recommended. Also what I do is make sure everything is clean, place a real thin smear of silicone on both sides of the gasket, again not recommended by many. If using silicone really need to be careful not to overtighten as can push the gasket out.

Thanks, I'll see if i can tighten it a bit more. I was worried I would crack something.

[hummer]

I was able to tighten it a little more this time. It appears to be working. No signs of a leak for the whole day. If it's still good tomorrow, then I can start adding rocks. Thanks for the help!