Plumbing to main tank finally

[PerplexyHexy]

Can someone give me advice on how to plumb my frag tank to my main. My main tank is directly behind on the otherside of wall. So im just going to drill 2 holes for overflow and return. I have no idea what size bulkheads I should get and drill on the frag tank itself. I also dont know what to do with the tank, do I just leave that 3 chamber overflow the way it is and drill a overflow for a bulkhead where the protein skimmer is? What size bulkhead?

 

[Ranjib]

Looking good :-)

 

[Ranjib]

Not a plumbing expert, lets see what others thing #diywizards

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Im at home depot right now trying to buy what I need

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Im just going to soft plumb it for now with vinyl tubing... home dpot doesnt seem to have the right bulkheads

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Is this type ok?

 

[Ranjib]

Get shcedule80 , slip x type. I am saying this because thats what BRS sells :-)

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk...-side-1-3c30bc3ec05967d33995f258b184fabb.html

 

[Ranjib]

More:

 

[Ranjib]

Nothing good happens in this hobby fast. I dont want to discourage you, but it might be worth to take a step back, get the information you need and then order things. reef tanks are things for long run.
your call at the end :-)

 

[Erica-Renee]

Swimming pool supply places is prob best bet for bulkheads locally.. Some plumbing places will also carry them if they they supply whirlpool supplies...
From home depot bulkheads are almost non existence..

 

[scott11106]

i would think through it, order online what you need to do the project one time. there are a couple places online but BRS has all the stuff that works together well.
are you going to drill the glass? i assume ...

you can get the stuff overnighted and amazon is pretty fast if you know what you want. make sure you dont create a flood risk with volume or syphon, other than that it is looking good

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Im just stuck on what I should do plumbing wise to connect the two. My display is directly behind the frag tank, all that seperates is the dry wall. Ive heard two ways so far gravity feed it from display to frag and then to sump with 1 pump. Or use independent pump in sump and feed it into frag tank then return to sump. Which is best for my situation? Also where should I drill on frag tank... its a 25 gallon AIO acrylic tank 8” tall. Also should I utilize the AIO overflow or rip it oit and install an overflow on the oitside? Im completely lost right now... been reading all day and havent gotten anywhere... what size bulkheads should I use etc... Any input you guys can give me would be super helpful. Would like to start ordering parts so I can get going. Here are pictures of current setup.

 

[cooltowncorals]

I would use pvc through the wall make sure you don’t hit a stud or electrical when you drill through. What I would do is take your overflow run it into your frag just like you do in your sump take both hoses and put into top of your frag tank. That is assuming your main display is taller than your frag tank. Then just run your overflow from your frag tank down to sump and just keep your current pump to display tank set up. I have done this before works well but what you need to think about is what happens when you lose power will sump hold the drain from display and frag tank without over flowing if you get suction back from the display and depending on how low you drill the return hole on the frag tank. Get your bulkheads from LFS or bulk reef ect. Just make sure it matches what size you want to use do use pvc through a wall that way you never have to worry about a leak as it’s rated for in wall use. Drill the acrylic it’s easy I wouldn’t even drain whole tank just lower water 4 or 5 inches drill from outside have a second set up hands holding plastic or something to catch.

 

[Erica-Renee]

You can can do this one of two ways.

If the top of your frag tank is of a lower elevation then your over flow weir ,You can run the Display drain or T it off (with caution ) and allow some its water to go to the frag tank.. Then have the over flow in the frag tank drain into the sump.

Best solution with less hassle

Plumb either a second pump or put a dual manifold above the output of your pump.Run it up to the frag tank then put a drain back to the sump....
I have several tanks plumbed inline on my Drain side Gravity does the work. But you have to be sure you understand the water flow as to not restrict the drains...

Hope this helps and good Luck

 

[PerplexyHexy]

I would use pvc through the wall make sure you don’t hit a stud or electrical when you drill through. What I would do is take your overflow run it into your frag just like you do in your sump take both hoses and put into top of your frag tank. That is assuming your main display is taller than your frag tank. Then just run your overflow from your frag tank down to sump and just keep your current pump to display tank set up. I have done this before works well but what you need to think about is what happens when you lose power will sump hold the drain from display and frag tank without over flowing if you get suction back from the display and depending on how low you drill the return hole on the frag tank. Get your bulkheads from LFS or bulk reef ect. Just make sure it matches what size you want to use do use pvc through a wall that way you never have to worry about a leak as it’s rated for in wall use. Drill the acrylic it’s easy I wouldn’t even drain whole tank just lower water 4 or 5 inches drill from outside have a second set up hands holding plastic or something to catch.

Cool... Thanks for the information. Im looking to upgrade tank in the next year. So im second guessing myself if I should hard plumb or flex plumb for right now. Also the frag tank is about 4-6” lower than my display overflow. I do have a battery backup for when power runs out. Problem is; power has never gone out, “knock on wood.” Also the bulkheads from my display are 2” I believe. I guess what Im asking is, Isnt that a little big for that little 25 gallon frag tank? I only have so much room to drill on that tank. Its only 8” tall and the water is pretty close to the top. Where in frag tank overflow should everything go?