Rudy
09-26-2003, 6:20 AM
Hi All,
I originally posted this in the DIY section, but only received one response, albeit a good one. I am thinking the DIY board does not get the attention the general marine does. Since my topic is not strictly a DIY question I hope it is OK to post here as well.
Any additional thoughts/advice/opionins on my original questions.
************
Rudy
Junior Member
Registered: Dec 2002
Location: NH
Posts: 2
Undertank Filtration Components
Hi! I have been running a 55g FOWLR tank for 10 years with cannister filter, biowheels, etc. I purchased a 125g and recently had 1" diameter holes drilled out the top back panel for draining to filtration, sump, etc, below the tank (inside stand).
I intend to make my own sump, and w/d if needed, and have good plans to do so. What I am wondering about is what is the best type of pipe/tubing to use to accomplish the proper flow of H2O from tank to under tank equipment? Along that same line, what type and where should the valves be located to ensure no backflow and/or overflow from the return?
Thanks for the advice/ideas.
__________________
Cheers, Rudy
Last edited by Rudy on 09-24-2003 at 03:06 PM
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09-24-2003 03:03 PM
Guy W
www.emarinefish.com
Registered: Apr 2002
Location: Naples, FL
Posts: 1252
A lot of people use PVC for the drains and returns, either Ridgid or Flexible. Since you are going DIY I'd get a glass tank for the sump, run PVC from the tank drains down to it, then drill out a hole in the side of that, run a flexible hose from the bulkhead in the hole to the pump, then run PVC from the pump to the tank.
Mostly you will probably only want a ball or gate valve after the pump outlet, or if the pump will T off to more than 1 return a 2 valves after the T, so you can control the flow to each return if needed.
Also, I really like closed loop circulation pumps, instead of powerheads hanging in the tank.
For this just drill 1 hole in the back of your tank, run PVC down to a 2nd pump (not your pump on the sump), then run PVC from the pump back up to the tank, either in holes on the back of the tank or over the back side of the tank. You can put valves before the flow goes back to the tank to control it as well.
Depending on if your skimmer will be in the sump or external you may need to drill a 2nd hole in the sump, for the skimmer pump. If the skimmer will sit in the sump it doesn't matter.
Guy
__________________
http://www.emarinefish.com
:o :rolleyes:
I originally posted this in the DIY section, but only received one response, albeit a good one. I am thinking the DIY board does not get the attention the general marine does. Since my topic is not strictly a DIY question I hope it is OK to post here as well.
Any additional thoughts/advice/opionins on my original questions.
************
Rudy
Junior Member
Registered: Dec 2002
Location: NH
Posts: 2
Undertank Filtration Components
Hi! I have been running a 55g FOWLR tank for 10 years with cannister filter, biowheels, etc. I purchased a 125g and recently had 1" diameter holes drilled out the top back panel for draining to filtration, sump, etc, below the tank (inside stand).
I intend to make my own sump, and w/d if needed, and have good plans to do so. What I am wondering about is what is the best type of pipe/tubing to use to accomplish the proper flow of H2O from tank to under tank equipment? Along that same line, what type and where should the valves be located to ensure no backflow and/or overflow from the return?
Thanks for the advice/ideas.
__________________
Cheers, Rudy
Last edited by Rudy on 09-24-2003 at 03:06 PM
Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged
09-24-2003 03:03 PM
Guy W
www.emarinefish.com
Registered: Apr 2002
Location: Naples, FL
Posts: 1252
A lot of people use PVC for the drains and returns, either Ridgid or Flexible. Since you are going DIY I'd get a glass tank for the sump, run PVC from the tank drains down to it, then drill out a hole in the side of that, run a flexible hose from the bulkhead in the hole to the pump, then run PVC from the pump to the tank.
Mostly you will probably only want a ball or gate valve after the pump outlet, or if the pump will T off to more than 1 return a 2 valves after the T, so you can control the flow to each return if needed.
Also, I really like closed loop circulation pumps, instead of powerheads hanging in the tank.
For this just drill 1 hole in the back of your tank, run PVC down to a 2nd pump (not your pump on the sump), then run PVC from the pump back up to the tank, either in holes on the back of the tank or over the back side of the tank. You can put valves before the flow goes back to the tank to control it as well.
Depending on if your skimmer will be in the sump or external you may need to drill a 2nd hole in the sump, for the skimmer pump. If the skimmer will sit in the sump it doesn't matter.
Guy
__________________
http://www.emarinefish.com
:o :rolleyes: