How do you plumb a tank?

[30reef]

Hey everyone,

So I'm going to need to start plumbing my reef tank soon once I receive the rest of the supplies.

The only this is I have no clue how to plumb a tank! I'm going to be use the synergy shadow Overflow 16".
How big of pvc do I need and how to heck do I plumb it? Also I know for the shadow Overflow you have to drill 2 holes so does that mean I have to drill a 3rd hole at the end of the tank for the return line?

 

[Tokash23]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/plumbing-guide.287283/

Working on my own plumbing and found this thread. There are some good ideas in there plus a link to another thread explaining some stuff.

 

[MaiReef]

Everyone does it a bit differently.
Looking it up on Youtube is a start.

I suggest SCH40 for the pvc and connectors. Remember water has less resistance through 2, 45 degree fittings than one short 90 degree.

Then there is PVC Cement and PVC Primer. The Primer usually comes in Purple, but if you go to a plumbing store vs. a Home improvement place you can usually get it.

The return line can be drilled or can come over the back. Either way will work fine.

PVC unions are your friend. They allow you to take parts that need to be inspected or changed out quickly.

True Union ball valves would also be a good idea as one should be put on your return and one on the lowest pipe coming from the Shadow as it will control the siphon.

I also suggest a True Union check valve on your return so that you can stop your pump and have no water return to your sump so that you can do feedings by turning off your return pump or put it on feed mode.

I suggest SCH40 for the pvc and pvc connectors.

 

[30reef]

Everyone does it a bit differently.
Looking it up on Youtube is a start.

I suggest SCH40 for the pvc and connectors. Remember water has less resistance through 2, 45 degree fittings than one short 90 degree.

Then there is PVC Cement and PVC Primer. The Primer usually comes in Purple, but if you go to a plumbing store vs. a Home improvement place you can usually get it.

The return line can be drilled or can come over the back. Either way will work fine.

PVC unions are your friend. They allow you to take parts that need to be inspected or changed out quickly.

True Union ball valves would also be a good idea as one should be put on your return and one on the lowest pipe coming from the Shadow as it will control the siphon.

I also suggest a True Union check valve on your return so that you can stop your pump and have no water return to your sump so that you can do feedings by turning off your return pump or put it on feed mode.

I suggest SCH40 for the pvc and pvc connectors.

Thanks for the great info!
So the sump im getting only has one 1" drain. And the synergy has 2 drains and there both bigger then 1" so what do I do about that? Also if I would decide to drill the tank for the return how big of a whole should I make, I'll be using the vectra m1 (2000GPH) and the tank is 55 gallons.

 

[MaiReef]

The one drain would be used for your main siphon. I think they are 1.5", but can be reduced to a 1" drain through PVC(Remember put a valve on this for proper control. There are 3 drains with the Synergy. The second one will have a trickle come out of it and doesn't need a sock so it could be plumbed next to the first and the third drain takes the place of the second if the first gets clogged and could be put just about anywhere into the sump.

The Synergy site probably explains it better.

 

[miPapareef]

I used the shadow over flow. Bought a 63mm bit directly from synergy. I had a 65mm from amazon, but looking at the seals a 63mm hole is better. Actually that overflow has 3 drains at 1.5". I directly installed a 1.5 to 1" reducer in all 3 drains. The primary drain should have a gate valve and go into sump with outlet under the waterline of the sump. The second drain doesn't need a value but some people put it in, either way it also should exit in the sump below the waterline. The emergency drain can hang above the waterline of the sump. Here's some pics of mine.

 

[30reef]

I used the shadow over flow. Bought a 63mm bit directly from synergy. I had a 65mm from amazon, but looking at the seals a 63mm hole is better. Actually that overflow has 3 drains at 1.5". I directly installed a 1.5 to 1" reducer in all 3 drains. The primary drain should have a gate valve and go into sump with outlet under the waterline of the sump. The second drain doesn't need a value but some people put it in, either way it also should exit in the sump below the waterline. The emergency drain can hang above the waterline of the sump. Here's some pics of mine.

Thank you that helps a lot!
So I'm going to be using the triton method on my tank which doesn't have filter socks. So I just have to have all 3 drains go to the 1st chamber then?

 

[miPapareef]

Yes. The emergency drain is just that and in normal operation won't have any water coming through it. Some people do like I did and have it a few inches above the waterline in the refuge section. That way it will make a splashing sound if ever it is flowing, so you know to take some action.