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- May 19, 2018
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I am in the final stages of doing plumbing for my IM Ext 100 and it would be great if I could get feedback on my plumbing.
Tank has a Ext Overflow (Bean Animal) w/1 inch bulkhead
Bulkhead -> 1" pvc -> 45 -> 1 inch pvc -> 45 -> 1" pvc -> gate valve (main overflow only) -> 1 inch pvc
There are 2 3/4" returns I am running off a varios 6 pump with a max pipe size of 1 1/4
pump -> 1 1/4" tubing -> barb to pvc adapter -> 1 1/4" pvc -> 45 -> 1 1/4" pvc -> 45 -> Tee
Tee output going up -> 1 1/4" pvc -> 1 1/4 "coupling -> 1 1/4" x 3/4" bushing -> 3/4" pipe -> street 90 -> bulkhead
Tee output going left -> 1 1/4" pvc -> 90 -> 1 1/4" pvc -> 1 1/4 coupling -> 1 1/4" x 3/4" bushing -> 3/4" pipe -> street 90 -> bulkhead
Things I have learned from research:
Things I am thinking about:
Tank has a Ext Overflow (Bean Animal) w/1 inch bulkhead
Bulkhead -> 1" pvc -> 45 -> 1 inch pvc -> 45 -> 1" pvc -> gate valve (main overflow only) -> 1 inch pvc
There are 2 3/4" returns I am running off a varios 6 pump with a max pipe size of 1 1/4
pump -> 1 1/4" tubing -> barb to pvc adapter -> 1 1/4" pvc -> 45 -> 1 1/4" pvc -> 45 -> Tee
Tee output going up -> 1 1/4" pvc -> 1 1/4 "coupling -> 1 1/4" x 3/4" bushing -> 3/4" pipe -> street 90 -> bulkhead
Tee output going left -> 1 1/4" pvc -> 90 -> 1 1/4" pvc -> 1 1/4 coupling -> 1 1/4" x 3/4" bushing -> 3/4" pipe -> street 90 -> bulkhead
Things I have learned from research:
- Don't put unions where you can not reach. Unions are mechanical and they can and will fail. I can not reach behind my tank so no unions there.
- 90s vs 45s do not matter in terms of flow rate for reef pumps. BRS did an investigation. 45s vs 90s from an overflow do matter. 45s are easier to silence and to get full siphons.
Things I am thinking about:
- Does it make sense to run 1 1/4" pipe all the way to right before the tank bulkhead? It makes sense prior to the tee but after the split not sure.
- On the main overflow I am considering either not gluing the final pvc going into the sump or putting a union there. Makes sock changing easier.
- On the main overflow thinking of putting a ball valve before the gate valve. This will allow me to shut of flow from the tank without messing with the tuned gate valve. Could be useful if I can disconnect the final pipe (if I do #2)
- Thinking about putting a ball valve on my return line. Again probably if I only do #2. Thought is I can shut off my pump and then close both the overflow and return ball valve to prevent reverse siphon. Sump can hold all the reverse siphon but it may be nice to raise the water level above the baffles and potential flood the skimmer collection cup.