Plumbing quarantine tank

[Relapsed_Reefer]

Hello! My first post!
I’m looking for help on how to plumb this specific overflow system on a quarantine setup.

My plan was to use three slip in bulkhead fittings with a downward slope and 90 degree elbows , Am I on the right track. I feel like I’ll need to use flexible tubing? The tank came with three barbed elbow 1” Bulk head fitting Pictured below

The return has 1/2 “ lines i am currently working on and will add some flex down in the sump return area.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hello! My first post!
I’m looking for help on how to plumb this specific overflow system on a quarantine setup.

My plan was to use three slip in bulkhead fittings with a downward slope and 90 degree elbows , Am I on the right track. I feel like I’ll need to use flexible tubing? The tank came with three barbed elbow 1” Bulk head fitting Pictured below

The return has 1/2 “ lines i am currently working on and will add some flex down in the sump return area.

Any help would be appreciated

Nice system - good to see people investing in quarantine!

The barbed fittings implies they expected you to use flexible tubing.

One general observation - it looks like the water returns will be below the water line of the tank because the overflows are higher? If so there are two distinct but related issues with that: One is that you will need a good air stone in each compartment for proper gas exchange. Then, never ever allow the sump level to drop so that the supply pump can vortex and entrain air - that can cause acute supersaturation, fatal to the fish.

Personally, I would have reversed the positions of the overflows and the water returns - returns above the waterline, and then you have more freeboard to help keep fish from jumping out (you'll still need a lid though).

I've never been very good at estimating the diameters of overflows versus return flow, I typically go larger than needed just to be safe. Depending on the size of your return pump, you may need to throttle it down so that you don't overrun the return flows. The thing that always trips me up is that once the overflow is fully covered by rising water, a siphon action can start, causing the water to exit the tank faster....

 

[Relapsed_Reefer]

Nice system - good to see people investing in quarantine!

The barbed fittings implies they expected you to use flexible tubing.

One general observation - it looks like the water returns will be below the water line of the tank because the overflows are higher? If so there are two distinct but related issues with that: One is that you will need a good air stone in each compartment for proper gas exchange. Then, never ever allow the sump level to drop so that the supply pump can vortex and entrain air - that can cause acute supersaturation, fatal to the fish.

Personally, I would have reversed the positions of the overflows and the water returns - returns above the waterline, and then you have more freeboard to help keep fish from jumping out (you'll still need a lid though).

I've never been very good at estimating the diameters of overflows versus return flow, I typically go larger than needed just to be safe. Depending on the size of your return pump, you may need to throttle it down so that you don't overrun the return flows. The thing that always trips me up is that once the overflow is fully covered by rising water, a siphon action can start, causing the water to exit the tank faster....

Thanks for the reply! I believe the last owner used three separate canister filters. I’m looking to use the sump mostly as a place to hold my extra live rock, I will add baffles for the return or I’m on the lookout for a cheap sump on Facebook, I’m using all spare parts and I’ll refine it later as I come across deals.

For the overflows I was thinking I may have to do three separate drains using a “tee” with end cap and hole drilled ( bean style?)

I’m not sure I’ll be able to make a manifold for all three overflows to get the proper siphon and drainage having three 1 inch pipes come into a single drain line.

 

[JayM]

Thanks for the reply! I believe the last owner used three separate canister filters. I’m looking to use the sump mostly as a place to hold my extra live rock, I will add baffles for the return or I’m on the lookout for a cheap sump on Facebook, I’m using all spare parts and I’ll refine it later as I come across deals.

For the overflows I was thinking I may have to do three separate drains using a “tee” with end cap and hole drilled ( bean style?)

I’m not sure I’ll be able to make a manifold for all three overflows to get the proper siphon and drainage having three 1 inch pipes come into a single drain line.

Live rock in a QT system isn't a good idea. Potentially makes it harder to maintain correct levels of certain meds, and once it's been used with copper, it can be very expensive and time consuming to get it clean enough to use in anything other than a QT.

 

[Relapsed_Reefer]

Here is a mock up of what I’m thinking I’ll need to do, still waiting on parts and will add unions, valves but for overflow drainage does anyone see any issues with this plan or improvements .

I plan to cap each Tee on top with caps and drill holes to allow for air.

TIA

 

[Relapsed_Reefer]

Live rock in a QT system isn't a good idea. Potentially makes it harder to maintain correct levels of certain meds, and once it's been used with copper, it can be very expensive and time consuming to get it clean enough to use in anything other than a QT.

Appreciate the advice, not sure where this tank is headed I just used the term quarantine tank because it’s split in three.

I may grow three different macro algae’s, copepods or just use it in case of emergencies, the options are limitless