Plumbing shopping list?

[Myka]

Originally Posted by daplatapus

I've had this happen on a friends tank that we moved, unfortunately I didn't realize it until after we broke the bulkhead sliding the tank into the truck bed

To get around this I have since only ever put in bulkheads that are threaded so I can undo the union, then just unthread the pipe out of the bulkhead.

That's another good option. Threaded fittings have a smaller inside diameter than slip fittings though. This may or may not be a concern for each setup.

You guys are lucky it was the bulkhead that broke and not the bottom pane of glass! I've heard of people breaking their display tank from hitting the bulkheads. I've broke small tanks this way.

[rishu_pepper]

Thanks for all the advice so far, it's starting to make sense to me.

Mindy, I bought a DCT12000, which is handy because it has controllable rate of return. The tank is 165g and the sump 50g, and head is maybe 4'~ vertical? I figure the DCT12000 has plenty and more flow than I'll need, so I can always dial it down.

What is the advantage of running a manifold? How hard/easy is it to install it?

Not exactly a handyman here

[WarDog]

Brian, if you want to grab a coffee and talk plumbing just let me know! I have a few secrets I can share.

[rishu_pepper]

Originally Posted by WarDog

Brian, if you want to grab a coffee and talk plumbing just let me know! I have a few secrets I can share.

Ooh secrets! Yes I'll definitely give you a ring when the time comes. Maybe I'll get my wife to cook you up some dinner as compensation for help

[Myka]

Originally Posted by rishu_pepper

Thanks for all the advice so far, it's starting to make sense to me.

Mindy, I bought a DCT12000, which is handy because it has controllable rate of return. The tank is 165g and the sump 50g, and head is maybe 4'~ vertical? I figure the DCT12000 has plenty and more flow than I'll need, so I can always dial it down.

What is the advantage of running a manifold? How hard/easy is it to install it?

Not exactly a handyman here

My above recommendations are to help keep the plumbing simple for you as possible since it's your first go. The advantage of a manifold is to run reactors or other equipment such as biopellets or GFO reactors without needing extra pumps to run those items. The manifold is simple...it's just a few Tees added together. Reduce the Tees to 1/2", add a ball valve to each manifold output. I could find a pic probably later...

Will adding a check valve on the return line reduce the amount of back siphoning?

For the purpose of helping the skimmer to not overflow, yes. Do not rely on it to keep your floors dry though. The less feet of plumbing you have and tall standpipes you should not have a lot of back siphoning anyway. Make sure there is room in your sump for the back siphoning as well as the full volume of the overflow (just in case). You can set your Apex to turn off the skimmer when you turn off pumps for feeding too. You can also turn off various pumps (like the return pump) with the push of a button on an Apex. You can also hook up powerbars with switches if you didn't have an Apex, so there are lots of options rather than unplugging the return pump.

[PaulCheung]

I have put aside my tank upgrade project due to lack of knowledge of plumbing. An drilled empty tank has been stored in my garage for a few months now. I am glad to get useful information from the forum. Hopefully my upgrade project will eventually be resumed.

[rishu_pepper]

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

Brian,

Whether you do it or someone else plumbs your tank, remember to dry fit everything so you know for sure everything is going to fit before you glue. I glue everything that is under pressure, but I only silicone those pipes that are under gravity flow. I imagine most people glue everything.

Also, most of the time, leaks will be from the bulkhead so be extra careful there. Hand tighten & only add a 1/4 turn with a wrench. Any more and you risk damaging the glass around the hole.

Mine is an external overflow box so my ball valve for the return is under the overflow for ease of access, as opposed to being right near the pump outlet. Of course, part of the reason is also I don't T-off my return to run any media reactors (I just use Maxijet 1200s for that). I use a controllable flow DC pump as well, so I'd rather run my pump at lower flow and hopefully put less wear and tear on my return pump and just use easily replaceable MJ1200s for the media reactors.

Anthony

Good idea about dry fitting to check. I'll definitely put that on the to-do list when the time comes. I'm still unsure whether to run reactors through the return pump. I think I'll ditch the Biopellets and go with vinegar dosing, and just run a TLF for PO4 removal with RowaPhos or something.

Originally Posted by reefwars

absolutely , a syphon break is def one way to stop it , placing your lines near the top or using locline to angle them is another option as well. check valves will buy you enough time to stop your skimmer from going haywire or even two check valves in line

That's a great idea. I'll grab a loc-line for the return and angle it up/have it high up the water line to reduce the back-siphon. Probably will still get one check valve just to help with the skimmer.

Originally Posted by Myka

My above recommendations are to help keep the plumbing simple for you as possible since it's your first go. The advantage of a manifold is to run reactors or other equipment such as biopellets or GFO reactors without needing extra pumps to run those items. The manifold is simple...it's just a few Tees added together. Reduce the Tees to 1/2", add a ball valve to each manifold output. I could find a pic probably later...

For the purpose of helping the skimmer to not overflow, yes. Do not rely on it to keep your floors dry though. The less feet of plumbing you have and tall standpipes you should not have a lot of back siphoning anyway. Make sure there is room in your sump for the back siphoning as well as the full volume of the overflow (just in case). You can set your Apex to turn off the skimmer when you turn off pumps for feeding too. You can also turn off various pumps (like the return pump) with the push of a button on an Apex. You can also hook up powerbars with switches if you didn't have an Apex, so there are lots of options rather than unplugging the return pump.

Yes, I will have my Apex to do these things. I want a one-button macro so I/wife can feed or do maintenance/WC with things turned off temporarily without having to unplug stuff or switch off the power bar. Thank God for controllers!