pluming help please.

[fishman393]

So I got a sump that is to big to fit under my 93 gallon cube tank stand (left to right.) it can fit forward to back but I can't fit my self in there to clean the refugium or other chambers. So I went and bought a cabinet from lowes. I have started to run my pvc and now I see that my drain line will have to run uphill 2inches with in three or four feet. Is that to much of a up hill run? Or should I cut the bottom off the new cabinet. Was not thinking about that when I bought the thing. Fell so dumb right now.

[IanWR]

I'm concerned about the cabinet. 93g is a lot of water, and if your cabinet was not designed for that much weight you may be asking for trouble. Also, if there is any chipboard used in the cabinet's construction that is another question mark. So before plumbing is sorted, I would get the stand squared away.

Making your own is not too hard, and there is an excellent design template here on RC. You get to plan out a nice dry space for your electrical, you can make extra storage if you like, lots of good options. It may mean a delay in having your tank running, but it could save you tons of hassle down the road.

- Ian

[fishman393]

My tank is on a stand. I got a cabinet just for my sump and extra storage . I just need to know if running my pvc over to the sump up hill a bit like described in my org. Post would be ok.

[scott3569]

I wouldn't think that having and up hill over flow would be ok...no matter what type of overflow you have they are all gravity feed..so if I am thinking correctly even a little bit of up flow I would think you would get back flow?? In my opinion if you have the basic skills and the tools which is minimal make your own, cabinet for your sump.

1. you can make it the size you want
2. it will be much sturdier than what you have now.

[Crooked Reef]

Does it go downhill before the uphill raise? If not you will not get correct drainage if any at all. You would likely have a backsiphon effect. If however it goes down a foot or two then raises the couple of inches it should work. Look at the p-trap on a sink.

If it only runs uphill could you put the return pump in the sump to pull water from the display and gravity feed the return? Without pics it is really hard to tell.

[fishman393]

Yeah it will flow down hill from tank two foot in the corner flow box. Before turning and running the upgrade. Still worries me. I'm not a handy person.

[Crooked Reef]

A two foot drop and then a two inch rise shouldn't have any issues. The siphon will be powerful enough to overcome the rise. Do a water test before you add anything.

[thegrun]

It is okay for the pipe to run uphill, but be sure to include a union so you can easily remove the pipe for cleaning. It will likely need cleaning build up calcium deposits more quickly than a downhill pipe would. I would figure on removing it once a year for inspection/cleaning.

[JMorris271]

Your water will flow just fine as long as your drain does not go higher than your tank at which point the flow would level and stop.. Water always seeks it own level. Thats why water levels work. If you had a sudden rise and then back down you could eventually have an air lock.

[oh207]

Water will still continue to flow since the overflow from your tank is still approx. 2 ft higher. The biggest concern you should have is mentioned above. The upward direction may cause detritus to trap where the pipe angles upward. Maybe snails or other things can get in there as well. A union is a great idea for maintenance.

[intyme]

Should be fine, it will just trap the water, like someone said just put a union or two so you can pull it out for cleaning. Ideally you would want it

[fishman393]

Thanks you all for the info. I got my tank re plumed today and it's so much quieter and Flowing better than before. I now can see my refugium/sump. I ended up with less up hill than first expected. So small now can't even tell. I did add unions just incase.