Plumbing questions...again.

krytan

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Sep 2, 2007
3,148
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Norwich, England
Real Name
Wayne
I will be ordering the plumbing for my tank next week, it's a 150g with two corner overflows (the holes are 1 1/2" diameter). I have been wondering what would be the best way to do this so i have done a couple of simple diagrams to see what people here think.
Also do i need a union valve on the return pump?

plumbing 1.jpg plumbing 2.jpg
 
I like sit the sump in one of the sides (normally L side) not in the middle, with this I have more room for my other equipments.
 
One side is often used as a drain with the other being a return. You will want shutoff valves to regulate both drain speed and return feed speed. (see you first drawing). It will also assist you during routine maintenance.

Where the sump is located will be dependent on the space you have available. Take a look at your space and envision the location of your sump. Simply acquire enough plumbing to accomplish it. You will want to set it up in a fashion that utilizes the space effectively and uses the least amount of plumbing possible.
 
One side is often used as a drain with the other being a return. You will want shutoff valves to regulate both drain speed and return feed speed. (see you first drawing). It will also assist you during routine maintenance.
Thanks.
The return will go to two 1" hole i have at the top of the tank, the tank has four holes in total.
 
Anyone else want to chime in, i want to make sure i'm getting this right first time.
I think i'm going with the one in the first pic like excuzzzeme said to even though i believe he thinks i'll be using one of them as a return.
 
Definitely use unions on any piece of equiptment that needs regular maintenance. Whether to tee the drains together is a personal preference, unless some piece of your system requires or contraindicates it.
 
I know that people want to plumb in the easiest (and cheapest) way possible, but someday for some unknown reason (now) something will need to be fixed or changed or something. I have learned this the hard way. I would advise to spend the extra money and time to add what you think you might need. Remember this sayings...
Prior Propper Planning Prevents P*** Poor Preformance.
Good luck, send pics.
 
You should have both drains independent of each other and yet still drain into the same end of your sump. Unions will slow waterflow. You want the least amount of obstruction possible as it is gravity dependent. (If you look at many of the commercial sumps you will see they have 2 input holes, co-located on one end of the sump). The cost will figure out to almost the same. PVC is very cheap if you buy a 10' length. You can buy a 10' piece much cheaper than 2-5' sections.

From experience: I bought a 4' section to make a spray bar for tank #1. When I was ready to build a 2nd spray bar, it was $2.00 less to buy the 10' than what the 4' cost was. As far as the leftover pipe goes, it allows me to experiment almost cost free.
 
Have you considered using flexable hose. iv just set up my 160 gal, and i used all flex hosing. It allows me to run my plumbing where ever i want, and makes it really easy to disasemble
 
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