plumbing my return HELP!!

LGB76 · 01/27/2013, 02:17 PM

Ive started the plumbing process for my sump/fuge.

When im plumbing the return should I connect flex pvc tubing on my return pump then switch it to pvc once its out of the tank. Im thinking this will help with the vibration and it seems a bit easier to plumb the return pump that way.

thegrun · 01/27/2013, 03:05 PM

Yes, the flex will help reduce noise and make removal of the pump for cleaning easier.

LGB76 · 01/27/2013, 03:31 PM

My next problem is finding the tubing that will fit my return pump

How do u get the tubing to connect back to regular pvc?

thegrun · 01/27/2013, 03:48 PM

Barbed fitting on one end, threaded connection on the other. Like this:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/schedu...-thread-2.html

meegwell · 01/27/2013, 08:41 PM

add a pvc union in there also as soon as you go back to pvc. This way, you can twist off the union and service/clean/change the pump and not disturb your pvc plumbing.

tanzer16 · 01/28/2013, 06:57 AM

I just ran Black flexible PVC all the way up to return elbow with a barbed fitting......no union because it's flexible enough to allow easy removal of pump for cleaning.

keithhays · 01/28/2013, 07:48 AM

Generally, you want something flexible between the pump and a fixed piece of equipment and you want a true union ball valve on either side of your pump.

LGB76 · 01/28/2013, 07:58 AM

I will have a gate valve attached after it turns back to regular pvc.

so I will have the flex pvc attached to a coupling, and from there will be about an inch of hard plumbing into a union joint, and then into a gate valve and the rest is just hard plumbed to my outlets.

cniemira · 01/28/2013, 11:54 AM

FWIW, you just described exactly what the return plumbing I just set up looks like:

worm5406 · 01/28/2013, 01:25 PM

I used clear flexable tubing for the sump feed. and hard pvc for the return.

This way I can see inside it incase a snail or anything else decides to take a water-slide ride.

I got the pipe from flexpvc dot com.

LGB76 · 01/28/2013, 02:24 PM

will the metal clamp not rust and cause problems? Cause I am sure some water will leak out of the return line by the nozzle and get on the clamp? Does anyone else see a problem with this? Or am I just being over paranoid?

Phinnay · 01/28/2013, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LGB76

will the metal clamp not rust and cause problems? Cause I am sure some water will leak out of the return line by the nozzle and get on the clamp? Does anyone else see a problem with this? Or am I just being over paranoid?

I have seen metal clamps rust when they are submerged in salt water for months at a time. An occasional splash really shouldn't be a problem.

If you are worried, you can buy plastic hose clamps.

worm5406 · 01/28/2013, 03:34 PM

I just ordered like 10 of those in two different sizes.

BRS has them.

sleepydoc · 01/28/2013, 08:37 PM

One disadvantage of the clear PVC is it will allow light in and algae growth inside, compromising the flow. (Of course you can see it!

)

The ridges also cause more resistance to flow. Not the end of the world for the feeds from the bulkheads, but just ends up adding to the head loss and compromising flow from your return pump (= wasted energy/added heat)

If you get flexible PVC/Spaflex, you can simply cement it to fittings just like you do regular PVC pipes. (+1 on using a union)

worm5406 · 01/29/2013, 08:00 AM

The tubing I ordered/received has a smooth inner liner. The ridges are only on the outside for structural stiffness (non-collapse/kink).

It is not corrugated tube.

It is braided smoothbore:

01/27/2013, 02:17 PM	#1
LGB76 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 539	plumbing my return HELP!! Ive started the plumbing process for my sump/fuge. When im plumbing the return should I connect flex pvc tubing on my return pump then switch it to pvc once its out of the tank. Im thinking this will help with the vibration and it seems a bit easier to plumb the return pump that way.

01/27/2013, 08:41 PM	#5
meegwell Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 608	add a pvc union in there also as soon as you go back to pvc. This way, you can twist off the union and service/clean/change the pump and not disturb your pvc plumbing. __________________ 90g mixed reef \| 30g sump \| 2x250 phoenix HQI; 4x54 (ati blue plus, ati aquablue special, geissman tru actinic, geissmann purple)\| NAC 6 Skimmer \| 2x MP40wes \| eheim 1262 return\| AWI typhoon 5 rodi \|

01/28/2013, 01:25 PM	#10
worm5406 Not afriad to admit wrong Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South of WashDC in Maryland Posts: 7,774	I used clear flexable tubing for the sump feed. and hard pvc for the return. This way I can see inside it incase a snail or anything else decides to take a water-slide ride. I got the pipe from flexpvc dot com. __________________ Stock:LPS/SPS\|1 hippo\|4 OC Clown\|4 Pepp shrimp\|2 Brittle Star\|3000+ Copepods\|10+ MiniBrittle\|8+ Bristle Worm\|2 Anemone\|100+ mini-feather\|4 boys 14,21,22,22 Current Tank Info: Tank:300g Mixed Reef 300+lb LR\|4" LS\|5x MP40W\|75g fuge\|5x RadionPRO\|RO DB250 skimmer\|Apex

01/28/2013, 03:34 PM	#13
worm5406 Not afriad to admit wrong Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South of WashDC in Maryland Posts: 7,774	I just ordered like 10 of those in two different sizes. BRS has them. __________________ Stock:LPS/SPS\|1 hippo\|4 OC Clown\|4 Pepp shrimp\|2 Brittle Star\|3000+ Copepods\|10+ MiniBrittle\|8+ Bristle Worm\|2 Anemone\|100+ mini-feather\|4 boys 14,21,22,22 Current Tank Info: Tank:300g Mixed Reef 300+lb LR\|4" LS\|5x MP40W\|75g fuge\|5x RadionPRO\|RO DB250 skimmer\|Apex

01/28/2013, 08:37 PM	#14
sleepydoc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,907	One disadvantage of the clear PVC is it will allow light in and algae growth inside, compromising the flow. (Of course you can see it! ) The ridges also cause more resistance to flow. Not the end of the world for the feeds from the bulkheads, but just ends up adding to the head loss and compromising flow from your return pump (= wasted energy/added heat) If you get flexible PVC/Spaflex, you can simply cement it to fittings just like you do regular PVC pipes. (+1 on using a union) __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 120 gallon, coast to coast overflow w/beananimal overflow. Waveline DC 10000 II return pump, 40 gal sump, Octopus XS200 skimmer, T5 lighting

01/27/2013, 03:05 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Yes, the flex will help reduce noise and make removal of the pump for cleaning easier.

01/27/2013, 03:31 PM	#3
LGB76 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 539	My next problem is finding the tubing that will fit my return pump How do u get the tubing to connect back to regular pvc?

01/27/2013, 03:48 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Barbed fitting on one end, threaded connection on the other. Like this: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/schedu...-thread-2.html

01/28/2013, 06:57 AM	#6
tanzer16 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: mountain top, pa Posts: 221	I just ran Black flexible PVC all the way up to return elbow with a barbed fitting......no union because it's flexible enough to allow easy removal of pump for cleaning.

01/28/2013, 07:48 AM	#7
keithhays Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,259	Generally, you want something flexible between the pump and a fixed piece of equipment and you want a true union ball valve on either side of your pump.

01/28/2013, 07:58 AM	#8
LGB76 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 539	I will have a gate valve attached after it turns back to regular pvc. so I will have the flex pvc attached to a coupling, and from there will be about an inch of hard plumbing into a union joint, and then into a gate valve and the rest is just hard plumbed to my outlets.

01/28/2013, 11:54 AM	#9
cniemira Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NoVA, USA Posts: 17	FWIW, you just described exactly what the return plumbing I just set up looks like:

01/28/2013, 02:24 PM	#11
LGB76 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 539	will the metal clamp not rust and cause problems? Cause I am sure some water will leak out of the return line by the nozzle and get on the clamp? Does anyone else see a problem with this? Or am I just being over paranoid?

01/29/2013, 08:00 AM	#15
worm5406 Not afriad to admit wrong Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South of WashDC in Maryland Posts: 7,774	The tubing I ordered/received has a smooth inner liner. The ridges are only on the outside for structural stiffness (non-collapse/kink). It is not corrugated tube. It is braided smoothbore: __________________ Stock:LPS/SPS\|1 hippo\|4 OC Clown\|4 Pepp shrimp\|2 Brittle Star\|3000+ Copepods\|10+ MiniBrittle\|8+ Bristle Worm\|2 Anemone\|100+ mini-feather\|4 boys 14,21,22,22 Current Tank Info: Tank:300g Mixed Reef 300+lb LR\|4" LS\|5x MP40W\|75g fuge\|5x RadionPRO\|RO DB250 skimmer\|Apex