Plumbing

Balz3352

Balz3352

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#1
#1
I am at a loss on my plumbing on my 210.

1. What bulkheads should I use. Slip/slip, thread /slip? I'm going to do dual herbie.

2. What size return line should I use. I have a reeflo hammerhead It has 1"1/2". Should I use that or a little smaller. I also plan on splitting at the top into the tank to have 2 return lines.

3. Rigid pvc or spa flex return lines are going to be 2 3/4 and 2 1". Leaning towards rigid right now.

4. How do you plumb to the external pump?

5. Should have have dedicated bulkheads in the sump to hold returns in?


I know a lot of questions im just stumped.
 
amonchak

amonchak

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
ex-officio
#2
#2
I have a 210 setup. Your welcome to swing by to view / discuss what I have. Lmk.
 
T

that0neguy1126

Registered Users
M.A.S.C Club Member
#6
#6
1. What bulkheads should I use. Slip/slip, thread /slip? I'm going to do dual herbie. This decision is personal preference. If you know how to glue the pipe, then slip is good. If not, threaded is the way to go. Also helpful to add as many union joints as you can in case you need to take it apart. I prefer threaded for this reason. Just make sure to use teflon so it doesn't leak.

2. What size return line should I use. I have a reeflo hammerhead It has 1"1/2". Should I use that or a little smaller. I also plan on splitting at the top into the tank to have 2 return lines. Use whatever the pump has. As for the split, would be up to you. smaller the pipe the faster the water will move out of the return nozzle.

3. Rigid pvc or spa flex return lines are going to be 2 3/4 and 2 1". Leaning towards rigid right now. Rigid unless you have to go flex. Rigid will have less loss unless you have a lot of bends in it.

4. How do you plumb to the external pump? Many ways to do this. I have PVC coming straight off the intake and then there is a 90 bend to drop it into the sump. For the return, Goes straight up to the tank right off the pump. Like i mentioned earlier, add Union joints and valves where you can. Makes it much easier for maintenance or repairs.

5. Should have have dedicated bulkheads in the sump to hold returns in? Some sumps do. Mine doesn't but I have a huge sumps. and the drop is enough that they do not move at all. I'd recommend securing them somehow, either bungee cord or something so they don't move around too much.
 
Smiley

Smiley

Nurse Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#7
#7
1. if you use rigid and glue it, try to leave at least 2" between main pieces like bulkheads, elbows, valves, and unions... that way if you ever have to take pieces apart, you will be able to reuse those pieces. I like slip/threaded for my bulkheads just for that purpose..

2. it also depends on how much you drains can handle.. you dont want to put returns in that can feed more than your drains can handle...

3. I like flex for returns as you lose so much efficiency with rigid 90's and 45's...drains can handle efficiency loss since they are usually bigger than the supply...

4. depends if you are running a manifold or not...

5. hold returns or drains? if you mean drains, i like to have the ability to use filter socks when necessary... use a bag filter when your stirring stuff or pruning GHA so it doesnt flow through your sump....
 
Walter White

Walter White

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#8
#8
Hey man you know you are always Welcome to come check out my setup. Im running about the same size tank and a similar return pump. Im only a few minutes from Thornton. I'm available all night if you want. Just let me know
 
static reef

static reef

SCMAS Board Members
S.C.M.A.S BOD
#13
#13
Balz3352;635605 said:
I am at a loss on my plumbing on my 210.

1. What bulkheads should I use. Slip/slip, thread /slip? I'm going to do dual herbie.
As stated earlier, thisbis my personal pref as well. I like slip slip. Tedlon tape and liquid teflon give to many chances to over tighten and stress crack the bulkheads. After a stress crack goes through a few bumps you end up having salt creep, then water, then a flood.

2. What size return line should I use. I have a reeflo hammerhead It has 1"1/2". Should I use that or a little smaller. I also plan on splitting at the top into the tank to have 2 return lines.
I run my hammerhead at 1.5 from the pump to the bottom of the display. Ince under the tank, i T it and then ball valve both sides to control flow from each return line going into the tank.

Are you sure that you want to use such a big pump? You have seen my set-up and my hammerhead is still only at 60ish% open. That is a massive pump even if you run all of your reactors from it.

3. Rigid pvc or spa flex return lines are going to be 2 3/4 and 2 1". Leaning towards rigid right now.

I like rigid everything, but I did use spa flex for a return when going through my floors for simplicity.

4. How do you plumb to the external pump?

From sump to pump: all 1.5"
-Bulk head, ball valve, union, pump adapter, pump

From pump to under display tank: all 1.5"
-pump, pump adapter, union, ball valve, PVC legnth of ?? and end with a Tee

Under display tank to tank
-1.5" Tee to 1.5" to 1" adapters on both sides
-(everything else will be 1")-unions on both sides of adapters, ball valves on both sides, 45 bends (which will allow you to move front to back and side to side), unions on both sides 2" below bulk heads. 1" return lines above bulk head to 3/4" locline adapter and the locline to tank.

Hope that gets you started in the right direction

5. Should have have dedicated bulkheads in the sump to hold returns in?

Not sure what this question is.


I know a lot of questions im just stumped.
Click to expand...
 
T

that0neguy1126

Registered Users
M.A.S.C Club Member
#16
#16
90 elbows cut down quite a bit of flow and also create a lot of noise. It all depends on where you need it. I have 90s on my drain from my frag tank but the flow is low that its not an issue. I would never use a 90 on my return unless it was absolutely needed and the pump was over-sized for what I needed.
 
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