Sump plumbing help

[iAmARomeoSF]

this is the first time i am going to try to plumb a sump into my new display tank that i am setting up. its only a 10.8gal long shallow tank and i have made a blueprint of how i am envisioning this thing coming together. can u guys check it out and tell me if its good to go or what i need to worry about and/or fix before drilling any holes in the new tank i have the blueprint attached to this thread.

 

[pharazon]

Two drains with internal overflow boxes in a small footprint tank is going to take up a good amount of space. Any reason you don’t want to center or single corner?

 

[iAmARomeoSF]

i want more space in the middle part of the tank its dimensions are 36long 10 high and 8 wide

 

[iAmARomeoSF]

i actually just discovered the Xaqua InOut Overflow and Return has anyone got one of these is it really that small and quiet? i might just go this route

 

[iAmARomeoSF]

Two drains with internal overflow boxes in a small footprint tank is going to take up a good amount of space. Any reason you don’t want to center or single corner?

my sump has bulkheads for 2 drains is it no better to have 2 drains as opposed to one drain line? id love to not have to worry about drilling and additional hole if not needed

 

[pharazon]

my sump has bulkheads for 2 drains is it no better to have 2 drains as opposed to one drain line? id love to not have to worry about drilling and additional hole if not needed

I meant a single location, not necessarily a single drain. Absolutely you should have multiple drains, which helps to prevent flooding of the display if one becomes clogged.

I would not recommend the XAqua INOUT product that you mentioned, but just my opinion. I don’t have any experience with it myself. Here’s why I don’t recommend it:

- single drain
- grates on drain appear large enough for small marine invertebrates and possibly even fish to fit through
- proprietary parts, not compatible with universal PVC/ABS fittings
- cost

You could achieve the same effect, with better modularity/customization ability for a fraction of the cost. For example, here are the parts you’d use from BRS:

- 1” bulkhead $6.99
- 1” strainer - $4.99
- 1” elbow w/ barb - $5.99
- 3/4” bulkhead - $6.29
- 3/4” male NPT connector $1.99
- 3-4” elbow w/ barb - $3.99
- Random Flow Generator - $24.99
Total - $55.23

You will still need drill bits for the bulkheads, of which entire sets can be purchased for $10-30 on Amazon. Tubing can be purchased from any local home improvement/hardware store. You’d still be under $100 and have a setup that can be changed/customized as you see fit. Add $17.97 for a second drain, which again, I do strongly recommend.

 

[iAmARomeoSF]

Thanks for the advice so I agree with u now that u got me thinking a bit more about the product I mentioned. So I'm gunna redo the blueprint real quick and post it see if I got it right this time.... Also u said 2 drains is essential for ensuring no overflow if one gets clogged correct? Then I wouldn't want to connect the 2 drains to each other then I would want each one independently draining into the sump correct?

 

[pharazon]

Thanks for the advice so I agree with u now that u got me thinking a bit more about the product I mentioned. So I'm gunna redo the blueprint real quick and post it see if I got it right this time.... Also u said 2 drains is essential for ensuring no overflow if one gets clogged correct? Then I wouldn't want to connect the 2 drains to each other then I would want each one independently draining into the sump correct?

I would personally consider two drains a minimum. Three is better, but I understand you are limited by the dimensions of the tanks. So, I would either do two 1” drains with strainers; or a dual overflow box such as the Eshopps Eclipse S

Yes, the drains need to be separate and not combine into one pipe. They can both be fed from the same overflow box, but the actual drain lines need to be separate.

 

[iAmARomeoSF]

I would personally consider two drains a minimum. Three is better, but I understand you are limited by the dimensions of the tanks. So, I would either do two 1” drains with strainers; or a dual overflow box such as the Eshopps Eclipse S

Yes, the drains need to be separate and not combine into one pipe. They can both be fed from the same overflow box, but the actual drain lines need to be separate.

ok here is my revised plans

 

[iAmARomeoSF]

ok here is my revised plans

i looked at the external overflow boxes and the actual box itself sticks way too far out from where im going to keep the tank which is why im opting for internal overflow box.. also since im trying to save as much space as possible couldnt i do smaller bulkheads (which would mean less space needed for internal overflow) and smaller piping for the lines is this possible? has anyone ever done like 1/2" piping and bulkheads?

 

[pharazon]

ok here is my revised plans

This looks good to me. There is no difference in efficiency for internal vs. external overflow boxes; it’s just a matter of space and preference. If your needs require more space outside the tank, internal will work just fine.

Smaller pipe diameters are not favored because they have lower flow rates and higher potential for clogging/blockage. The smallest drain sizes you will usually see is 3/4”, with 1” being the most common. I wouldn’t have any reservations about using 3/4” but I would not recommend 1/2”.

I’m not sure how much you’ve researched but based on your diagram, I’m assuming you’ve done a bit. For posterity, the overflow style you illustrated is called Herbie overflow and relies on a siphon to increase flow rate and decrease noise. This siphon is achieved by having a gate valve on your primary drain and tuning it so that the water level rises above the inlet of that drain.

I wanted to point out that you will need a valve to operate the overflow properly, because it will add to the cost. A gate valve will run anywhere from $15-45, depending on size and material. It is possible to use a ball valve, which are cheaper, but they are not intended for precision tuning and aren’t optimal for this purpose.

Here is a great resource on the Herbie overflow and reef plumbing in general:

Herbie Overflow Plumbing Guide for Quiet Reef Aquariums - gmacreef

The Herbie method can quiet down your aquarium drain and eliminate microbubbles. The guide includes helpful diagrams and explains each component.

gmacreef.com