Discussion of the week: Plumbing

[Zack]

I thought it'd be fun to have a discussion topic each week on things that we all love to talk about and many have questions about, so this week, I'd like to talk about plumbing! Below is the template for the plumbing discussion. After the fill in the blank, write a short summary of what you do and don't like and what you'd change on the plumbing in the future so others can see how you did your tank!

Tank size:
Return:
Tank type (mixed reef, sps dominant etc..)
Plumbing pieces used:
Approximate cost:
Drain size
Return size:
other flow in tank:
Sump configuration

What you like
What you'd change
I’ll go first:

Tank size: 9 Gallon ADA60
Return: Sicce 1.0
Tank type: Mixed reef, mostly zoas with a few sps and lps throughout
Plumbing pieces used: Black flex vinyl tubing, 1’’ PVC union, .75’’ PVC union x2 .75->1/2’’ PVC adaptor x2, 1’’ drain line vacuum tubing, 1’’ 90 degree elbow, 2x 90 degree elbow (1/2’’), 2x ½’’ 90 degree elbow with slip x thread fitting
Approximate cost: 50$
Drain size: 1’’
Return size: .5’’ x2 (glass holes nano return kits)
other flow in tank: 2x MP10WES
Sump configuration: Proflex model 1, no skimmer currently
Overflow type: Glass holes nano toothless overflow

What you like: I really like how silent the glass holes overflow is, I was worried that because it wasn’t a herbie/ full siphon drain line that’d it be loud, but with the design of the sumps bubble trap and the drain lines silencing air tube, the overflow is dead silent. Also, the sicce 1.0 is probably the best and quitest pump I’ve ever had.

What you'd change: I think I got a tad over zealous when installing the drain line and wanted to maximize the small vertical space my tank had (8’’) so I drilled the hole a bit too high (maybe ½’’ lower) and because of that, I’m limited to running the vortechs on pretty low and not on wave mode. Also, I have to remove the internal snail guard each time I turn the pump on, other wise it would possibly overflow the tank. Other than that, everything works great and I love the setup. The glass holes kit was easy to install, quiet, and affordable and the coupon codes from there face book were pretty awesome!

[Dean]

Tank size: 65 gallon tall. The return is drilled with a dual Loc-line 3/4" flex pipe with nozzles and the drain is drilled with an overflow box.
Return: Rio 2500
Tank type: LPS/ SPS mixed reef
Plumbing pieces used: All flex tubing on the return and drain. The only pvc turn fitting on the drain is a 45 degree elbow where it drops into the filter sock in the sump. The only return fittings are a Two Little Fishies 3/4" check valve and ball valve.
Approximate cost: $65
Drain size: 1"
Return size: 3/4"
other flow in tank: JBJ Oceanpulse Wavemaker with two 500gph circulation pumps. (This wavemaker gives a lot of bang for the buck. Very quiet, adequate adjustability, and the pump magnets hold extremely well on 3/8" glass.), and two Hydor Koralia Evolution 240 gph circulation pumps.
Sump configuration: I converted a 20 gallon long aquarium into a 4 compartment sump. The first compartment holds the filter sock and future in-sump protein skimmer. The second compartment holds the sponge filter and any media bags. The third compartment is a 10 gallon refugium containing live rock, live sand bed, Caulerpa Prolifera, and Chaeto. I use a CPR Aquatics 24 watt Aquafuge light for the macro. This is also where the Red Sea Prism protein skimmer is hanging. The last chamber holds the Rio 2500 return pump.

What you like: I put my system together on a value budget and am proud of the results in both my livestock as well as coral growth and coloration. It is very quiet as well as efficient.
What you'd change: I would love to have more room under my cabinet to access my sump but I don't want a larger cabinet. LOL! Figure that one out and the beer is on me! I am also in the market for an in-sump protein skimmer.

[Zack]

Nice stuff, is anyone on here using eductors to increase flow?

[Zack]

TTT!! Come on guys, 20 views and only one daring soul responds???