DIY Plumbing Guidance and Advice

[Impunitus]

I'm heavily looking into getting a glass cages tank and with that means that I’m going to have to do my plumbing for my sump and the tank as a DIY rather than it being something that comes as a kit. There is a lot of information to consume around this topic and I did find one older thread about different types of plumbing that can be used and how you would want to use it in some general tips, but it does look a little older. I wanted to open this straight up one for myself but also for others that may be looking into the DIY option to see if there is additional guidance that has come up since that post but also for people to share tips, things that they’ve learned things that they wish that they did when they were doing their own plumbing. I want to be able to do this once and get it done right so I'm not having to come back to it multiple times.

If it helps at all my wish is for around 110-130 gallon display that is 5 foot long. I will be using an internal overflow along the back. I'm thinking 3 bulkheads, one for overflow, one for emergency overflow, and the final for return to display. Always open for input if I should maybe add another.

I want to have filter fleece rather than socks for this and was looking at a rollermat specifically. I also plan to have a protein skimmer. I think having the ability to add UV when/if needed would be a good idea but it's not in the initial plan for me. I also want to have a nice fuge, one for control of nutrients but also because I think it would be a nice place to put tank mates in timeout, or put things that aren't meant to be in the display.

This was a ramble but just looking for advice. Thanks y'all!

 

[mfinn]

Look into a Bean Animal drain system. That requires 3 bulkheads for the drains and then do one for the return ( or 2)
Also look into a external overflow box.

 

[Impunitus]

Look into a Bean Animal drain system. That requires 3 bulkheads for the drains and then do one for the return ( or 2)
Also look into a external overflow box.

I do not want an external overflow for this. For space reasons I want it coming out the bottom of the tank rather than having an overflow box on the back. Will look into that drain system though, assuming it is compatible with my wishes for overflow placement

 

[mfinn]

If the 3 drain system ( Bean Animal ) doesn't work, definitely look into the 2 drain Herbie drain.
I have the Bean Animal drain on my 240 and I think I last had to do any adjustments on it about 10 years ago.
I have the Herbie drain on my 66 gallon tank and it needs a little fine tuning every 4-5 months or so.
But both are much quieter than anything else I've tried.

I started using a 3 chambered sump a long time ago and it seems to work for me.
Incoming water goes into the first chamber where my skimmer is. It has a fixed wall to maintain water level for the skimmer.
The second chamber is the refugium.
The third is the return area and for extra equipment.

I'm also a big fan of closed loops.

 

[Impunitus]

If the 3 drain system ( Bean Animal ) doesn't work, definitely look into the 2 drain Herbie drain.
I have the Bean Animal drain on my 240 and I think I last had to do any adjustments on it about 10 years ago.
I have the Herbie drain on my 66 gallon tank and it needs a little fine tuning every 4-5 months or so.
But both are much quieter than anything else I've tried.

I started using a 3 chambered sump a long time ago and it seems to work for me.
Incoming water goes into the first chamber where my skimmer is. It has a fixed wall to maintain water level for the skimmer.
The second chamber is the refugium.
The third is the return area and for extra equipment.

I'm also a big fan of closed loops.

From my brief googling, I'm going to assume a Bean Animal will work with an internal box. I can always let the Glasscages team know what my goals for the tank are, and they can help in making my goals possible.

For a sake of helping me understand; closed loop vs. what would the other options be? Why a fan of closed loops?

As for sump I was thinking 3 or 4 chamber. I originally was going to go with a ESHOPP M130 but no LFS near me is being responsive in my search for one, and online retailer only has options with the older sump....so custom is looking like my path forward

 

[mfinn]

From my brief googling, I'm going to assume a Bean Animal will work with an internal box. I can always let the Glasscages team know what my goals for the tank are, and they can help in making my goals possible.

For a sake of helping me understand; closed loop vs. what would the other options be? Why a fan of closed loops?

As for sump I was thinking 3 or 4 chamber. I originally was going to go with a ESHOPP M130 but no LFS near me is being responsive in my search for one, and online retailer only has options with the older sump....so custom is looking like my path forward

A good closed loop helps eliminate powerheads from the inside of the tank.
My closed loop on my 240 has 5 bulkheads on the back wall of the tank.
One down low near the middle for suction. I went with 1-1/2" bulkhead on mine. I wish I had done a 2".
Then it has 4 bulkheads for returns. 2 high and 2 low on the ends of the tank ( 1' from the side wall)
On the inside I have locline Y's on each with 2 fan nozzels on each for waterflow capable of going 8 different directions.

As long as you can plan it out for both tank and sump, get exactly what you want over making something pre-made work, but not quite prefect.

 

[UncommonSense]

If it helps at all my wish is for around 110-130 gallon display that is 5 foot long. I will be using an internal overflow along the back. I'm thinking 3 bulkheads, one for overflow, one for emergency overflow, and the final for return to display. Always open for input if I should maybe add another.

I want to have filter fleece rather than socks for this and was looking at a rollermat specifically. I also plan to have a protein skimmer. I think having the ability to add UV when/if needed would be a good idea but it's not in the initial plan for me. I also want to have a nice fuge, one for control of nutrients but also because I think it would be a nice place to put tank mates in timeout, or put things that aren't meant to be in the display.

This was a ramble but just looking for advice. Thanks y'all!

I do not want an external overflow for this. For space reasons I want it coming out the bottom of the tank rather than having an overflow box on the back. Will look into that drain system though, assuming it is compatible with my wishes for overflow placement

Your design requirements/specs sound surprisingly similar to @RobertK ’s Glass Cages custom build!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/c...-tank-stand-canopy-and-side-cabinets.1156796/

things that they’ve learned things that they wish that they did when they were doing their own plumbing. I want to be able to do this once and get it done right so I'm not having to come back to it multiple times.

Regarding plumbing?

I’m a big proponent of using high quality plumbing parts, bulkheads in particular!

Specifically, I like Hayward for bulkheads (they do require a larger glass hole size vs. many competitors), and Spears for the gate valve and unions…

I prefer bulkhead fittings which are slip on the flange side, and threaded on the nut side… this allows you to actually disassemble your plumbing down the road to replace bulkhead gaskets without taking a hacksaw to your pipes!

— This particular Spears union fitting, with male pipe threads on one side, and a slip socket on the other side solves the issue of needing an additional fitting (and its ensuing additional assembly length) to adapt back to slip from pipe threads for the bulkhead connection!

 

[Impunitus]

If it helps at all my wish is for around 110-130 gallon display that is 5 foot long. I will be using an internal overflow along the back. I'm thinking 3 bulkheads, one for overflow, one for emergency overflow, and the final for return to display. Always open for input if I should maybe add another.

I want to have filter fleece rather than socks for this and was looking at a rollermat specifically. I also plan to have a protein skimmer. I think having the ability to add UV when/if needed would be a good idea but it's not in the initial plan for me. I also want to have a nice fuge, one for control of nutrients but also because I think it would be a nice place to put tank mates in timeout, or put things that aren't meant to be in the display.

This was a ramble but just looking for advice. Thanks y'all!

I do not want an external overflow for this. For space reasons I want it coming out the bottom of the tank rather than having an overflow box on the back. Will look into that drain system though, assuming it is compatible with my wishes for overflow placement

Your design requirements/specs sound surprisingly similar to @RobertK ’s Glass Cages custom build!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/c...-tank-stand-canopy-and-side-cabinets.1156796/

things that they’ve learned things that they wish that they did when they were doing their own plumbing. I want to be able to do this once and get it done right so I'm not having to come back to it multiple times.

Regarding plumbing?

I’m a big proponent of using high quality plumbing parts, bulkheads in particular!

Specifically, I like Hayward for bulkheads (they do require a larger glass hole size vs. many competitors), and Spears for the gate valve and unions…

I prefer bulkhead fittings which are slip on the flange side, and threaded on the nut side… this allows you to actually disassemble your plumbing down the road to replace bulkhead gaskets without taking a hacksaw to your pipes!

— This particular Spears union fitting, with male pipe threads on one side, and a slip socket on the other side solves the issue of needing an additional fitting (and its ensuing additional assembly length) to adapt back to slip from pipe threads for the bulkhead connection!

Many thanks! That build is almost identical to what I'm looking to do. Thank you for linking!!!