Plumbing my calfo

[Rychek]

I just returned from Home Depot with most (hopefully all) of my plumbing supplies for my 90 gal tank. I've got two 2" bulkheads so I'm going to run 2" PVC from the calfo down to the 30 gal long sump (after I baffle it that is). My return will be 3/4" PVC. Before I actually cut any thing and start gluing, I wanted to run my plan by y'all.

I plan on running 2" pipe straight down the back of the tank to 90 elbows, under the tank a bit then down into a single 2" pipe (so far, 3 90s per pipe). One pipe will feed into the end of the pipe, while the other will T into it. There will be another T between the two drains/feed pipes to feed the skimmer area of the sump while the end of the pipe 90s down through a ball valve (for restricting the flow) into the fuge area. I'm no artist, but I'm working on a drawing.

Any thoughts, suggestions, warnings, etc.? Thanks.

[Bill S]

How is your calfo plumbed for your drains, thru the side of the tank thru drilled holes?

You need to make sure that you some how have a durso drain on your drains, or they WILL gurgle.

[Rychek]

Here are a couple of pictures of my overflow. The drains will go through the back of the tank via bulkheads. The drawing/diagram will be done shortly.

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc246/Rychek426/Overflow-1.jpg


http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc246/Rychek426/Overflow2.jpg

How would I implement a durso on/in a calfo?

[bronck83]

I'd avoid the 90 degree elbows. I have a 75 gallon with a very similar calfo(ace built) with two 1.5" drains. I'm using clear flex spa tubing for the drains that way there are slight bends & no 90 degree spots. As far as the "durso" I'm not sure what that is, but ace recommended I do in the pic below to avoid the loud gurgling. It's basically a short peice of pipe going up from the T-fitting with a slip-on cap that is not glued but has a small hole drilled into the top of it to allow air to escape.
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m227/thelefty83/tank/Picture007.jpg

[Rychek]

I like your setup bronck. Although, I don't think the tubing will work for what I have planned. My lovely wife whipped up this plumbing picture for me (it would've taken me hours to do what she did in minutes).

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc246/Rychek426/TankDrawings.jpg
Note: This picture is not necessarily drawn to scale. ;)

As you can see, I want to join the two drains (in case one plugs up) and put a valve on the fuge feed so I can regulate the water flow through there. I've also got a valve for the return line.

[hobogato]

that should work well if:

1. you make the horizontal connecting pipe larger diameter than the two drains from the tank
2. you include the "T" setup picture above to reduce noise - kinda functions as an external "durso"

[bronck83]

I had a similar idea but then after talking to some people I was kinda driven away from that idea for 1 reason mainly. If for some reason the main drain that goes to the skimmer area gets clogged(fish/snail/etc) then all of your draining will be diverted to your fuge drain which is 'regulated'(ie a lot slower) and you run the risk of your return pump overflowing your display. It basically kind of defeats the purpose of having 2 drains, which is essentially to safeguard against a drain clog(which I hear is a high probability).

[bronck83]

that should work well if:

1. you make the horizontal connecting pipe larger diameter than the two drains from the tank
2. you include the "T" setup picture above to reduce noise - kinda functions as an external "durso"

I concur on point 1 as well. If you have two 2" drains going into one 2" pipe then you will only drain as much water per hour as a single 2" pipe since the water is not pushed down by a pump, but rather only by gravity.

[Bill S]

What Ace was saying is what bronck was saying is what I was saying. Where your drain comes out of your calfo, put a sideways T in. Bronck has a durso. The cap has a hole or holes in it. If it's still noisy, put a piece of tubing down it past the inlet from the calfo, and it will allow any trapped air to "burp".

[hobogato]

you could do it like this instead.

[Rychek]

I had a similar idea but then after talking to some people I was kinda driven away from that idea for 1 reason mainly. If for some reason the main drain that goes to the skimmer area gets clogged(fish/snail/etc) then all of your draining will be diverted to your fuge drain which is 'regulated'(ie a lot slower) and you run the risk of your return pump overflowing your display. It basically kind of defeats the purpose of having 2 drains, which is essentially to safeguard against a drain clog(which I hear is a high probability).

I could see the drain clogging between the bulkhead and the connecting pipe, but clogging after the tee in the final length of pipe into the skimmer area seems highly unlikely (not impossible, just highly unlikely). If it did clog in the initial vertical run, the secondary drain would compensate. However, if the final vertical length into my skimmer area plugs, it won't matter how the pipework is above it. The display will either overflow or the pumps will burn up.

[Rychek]

you could do it like this instead.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc246/Rychek426/TankDrawings2.jpg

I hadn't thought of that. I like that method better. I wouldn't necessarily have to run a larger diameter pipe under the stand and it would provide extra redundancy for the skimmer area.

[Bill S]

Clogs will almost always manifest themselves at the turns. "gunk" WILL grow and slow things down. I'd definately re-think this. Your return pump area should only contain enough water for your pump to run - emptying that area should not allow your tank to overflow.

[Rychek]

I don't plan on running enough water in the pump area to overflow my display. I'd rather burn up the pump than flood my living room, but that's neither here nor there. I think I'm going to go with the straight shot and the fork like Ace suggested and make a Durso style T out of the bulkheads like you've all mentioned. That should greatly improve the design.

The last thing I would like to know is what would be the best way to connect the pipe to my bulkhead? Should I thread it in, or just glue it?

I knew I should've started this thread BEFORE I went to Home Depot. At least I still have my receipt. :)

[joelb]

nice 90 gallon perfecto tank!!! it looks pretty familiar. you must have got it from a pretty good looking, smart working business man...aka mac daddy. good luck

[coraline79]

If you aren't already I would put a ball valve on the the line running to the sump just in case you have too much water in your sytem during a water change. I am all new to this though, so I may have missed something.. I just think that every connection should have one to regulate flow issues.

[aquasport24]

i glued mine into the bulkhead, i did that so i dont have to put too much pressure against the glass surface around the bulkhead.

[bronck83]

I glued mine as well.

[Rychek]

I'm thinking glue is the way to go as well. It's two less fittings I have to purchase.

Flow regulation will be handled by the ball valve on the return line. I prefer one point of control for the main system. The fuge is more of a secondary water system that requires a lower flow, so it gets it's own flow control.

[Rychek]

I've begun my plumbing and painting (unfortunately I got over zealous and started gluing before I remembered the painting). I'll post pics once the painting is done.

The question I have at this point is what should I do about the length of my drain pipes? Can they be submerged or should they be above the water level? I'm going for "quiet" on the plumbing. Thanks!