Very specific plumbing question - please input

[Mr. Roy]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the saltwater aquarium hobby and although I have been doing extensive research, this is my very first post ever with my first question. Since I'm in the process of setting up my tank now, my questions relate to plumbing. I would appreciate any advice and recommendations from any experts out there.

I recently bought a 75 gallon aquarium that is undrilled. For the sump, I have decided to go with the Aqueon ProFlex modular sump model 4 (http://www.aqueonproducts.com/products/proflex-sump.htm). I know that the model 4 sump is rated for much more then a 75 gallon tank but it's the only model with 2 intake pipes (which I really want) and besides, I have the room for it in my stand. I also really want schedule 80 plumbing because it looks a lot better then the schedule 40 stuff and my plumbing is going to be somewhat exposed (I like the industrial exposed look of stuff, especially when it's well done).

Since the ProFlex sump only accepts 1" plumbing that's what I was going to go with for the bulkheads and all other plumbing. But the way I understand it (please correct me if I'm wrong) is that schedule 80 plumbing is actually smaller on the inside then the schedule 40 plumbing. And flow is exponentially reduced with a smaller diameter pipe (2 x 1" pipe does not equal 1 x 2" pipe flow). I do not want to limit my tank forever with small bulkheads as I do not know yet what volume of flow I want for my tank and sump and I do not know what type of corals I'm going with yet.

My question is: Should I drill and set up my tank with 1.5" schedule 80 plumbing and then reduce to a 1" right before the sump or does it really not matter and I should just go with a 1" schedule 80 plumbing setup from the beginning? I believe that the plumbing that comes with the ProFlex sump is schedule 40 (so a slightly larger inside diameter then the 1" schedule 80).

Additional info: I was going to go with a 12 1/4" W x 4" D x 5" H inside tank overflow box with teeth with the durso system overflow.

Any advice is appreciated.
Thank you,

Jean-Guy Roy

[Uncle Salty 05]

If you have not bought your sump yet, I wouldn't.
You can easily build one of your own design for a fraction of the price.
Schedule 40 is more than sufficient, schedule 20 will do the job.
Drilling is best, but not a must.
There are lots of quality overflow boxes to choose from.

[thegrun]

There are a number of things I don't like about the sump you have chosen. I would select a different set up if it were mine. That said if I understand your question correctly a 1" drain with a second 1" drain as an emergency back-up would be just about perfect for a 75 gallon tank. You should run somewhere between 5 and 8 times your DT volume through the sump/refugium. A single 1" pipe will handle 600 GPH which is 8 times your DT, so it's perfect. If there is some unknown reason you think you may want more flow through your sump in the future I don't see a problem upsizing to 1-1/4" or 1-1/2".

[thor109]

You can also paint white pipe. Sch 80 cost a lot more . Every piece is like double and valves are triple.

[Mr. Roy]

Originally Posted by thegrun

There are a number of things I don't like about the sump you have chosen. I would select a different set up if it were mine. That said if I understand your question correctly a 1" drain with a second 1" drain as an emergency back-up would be just about perfect for a 75 gallon tank. You should run somewhere between 5 and 8 times your DT volume through the sump/refugium. A single 1" pipe will handle 600 GPH which is 8 times your DT, so it's perfect. If there is some unknown reason you think you may want more flow through your sump in the future I don't see a problem upsizing to 1-1/4" or 1-1/2".

What is it that you don't like about this sump? I was thinking about the refugium setup for it... There's also the CLF1 from LifeReef (http://www.lifereef.com/berlin.html) that I was thinking about, but its a lot more expensive (the shipping alone is the cost of the ProFlex sump). Please let me know what you don't like about the ProFlex sump or with my system design in general.

Thank you,
JGR

[sponger0]

Originally Posted by Uncle Salty 05

If you have not bought your sump yet, I wouldn't.
You can easily build one of your own design for a fraction of the price.
Schedule 40 is more than sufficient, schedule 20 will do the job.
Drilling is best, but not a must.
There are lots of quality overflow boxes to choose from.

I agree with making your own sump. You can make one more personalized to your needs and just works better....also you can save a good amount of money

[billdogg]

Another vote for make your own sump. Plenty of DIY sump links for ideas. As far as sch40 / sch80 - I would go with the sch40 as well - it is much cheaper with a much better selection of parts at the local HD/Lowes. It can be painted with any color krylon spray paint you like. And Drill - you will be glad you did. If it were me, I would use just one 1 1/2" bulkhead and a durso, but that's just me.

[thegrun]

Originally Posted by Mr. Roy

What is it that you don't like about this sump? I was thinking about the refugium setup for it... There's also the CLF1 from LifeReef (http://www.lifereef.com/berlin.html) that I was thinking about, but its a lot more expensive (the shipping alone is the cost of the ProFlex sump). Please let me know what you don't like about the ProFlex sump or with my system design in general.

Thank you,
JGR

The thing I most don't like is having the skimmer sitting in the return pump section where the water level will vary (even with an ATO) and cause fluctuations in its performance. I prefer to have the skimmer in with the filter socks ahead of the refugium. I don't like to reverse flow water through the filter socks, they tend to collapse and channel all the water through a small portion of the sock when used that way.