Need Plumbing Advice

[fishfeeder]

am currently setting up my 240 gallon aquarium...pics and progress can be seen at my website...Jay's Reef Tank

Here is the scenario:

I have 2 corner overflows w/ a 2" drain in each.

I have a center return section that is higher than the overflow baffles w/ a 1.5" return.

I have ordered the bulkheads for all drain and return holes.

I have bought the plumbing reducing the 2" drain to 1.5" drains.

I will be building durso stand pipes.

I will have a sump under my tank w/ a dart return pump. Or is this too much?

Questions:

1) What kind of flow do you think the two 1.5" drains will yeild?
2) How high should my durso standpipes be?
3) Does anyone have suggestions on which way I should plumb my tank?

Any other info that is needed can be supplied!

All help is appreciated!

thanx,

Jay

[TearDrop]

Are you running a closed loop? The Dart may not be enough because they are really good at handling pressure and really their volume very quickly. If you're worried about how much flow is coming out of the 1.5" drains...then why reduce them. You can always put a ball valve on them.

The height of the durso doesn't really matter that much. I have mine at the height of the teeth of the overflow so I don't hear any splashing. What really matters is the size of the hole at the top of the durso so it works correctly.

[fishfeeder]

Thanks for the advice, I may decide to just do the 2" drains after all.

First problem! My 2" bulkheads won't fit into the hole!!!!

I called the guy I bought the tank from (used & 2 hours away) to ask him what size bulkheads he used...He said 2"?

I bought 2" bulkheads from MarineDepot and he said he bought his from CustomAquatics.com ? He also said that it was a tight fit and there wasn't any wiggle room.

Could these two bulkhead be different? They both suggest 3 1/4" hole?

But drain holes only measures 3 1/8" and the 1 1/2" for return only measures 2 1/4" ?

He swears that he used 2" bulkhead drains & a 1 1/2" return bulkhead?

any ideas?

thanx,

Jay

[SDguy]

A couple thoughts. First, since you don't have any return holes in your overflows, then you have no way to make emergency backup drains. Therefore, I would not max out your drains. If you do, one snail clogging a drain can cause an overflow.

Various bulkhead manufacturers use slightly different hole sizes. For example, a quick look at Aquatic Ecosystem, I found a 2" bulkhead that uses 3 1/4" hole, and one that uses 2 7/8" hole. You're going to have to find out what bulkheads he used. Custom Aquatics has a several 2" bulkheads. I would contact them to find out which ones will fit.

I used 1.5" pipe to make my durso on a 1.5" drain hole. Not sure why you'd want to reduce it??

[fishfeeder]

I think I will call customaquatic.com tomorrow and find out if they have a bulkhead that will work!

thanx,

Jay

[reefkoi]

If it helps any I have 2-2" lines feeding my sump with a dart and a hammerhead pump running off the flow from these 2-2" lines, its just enough. so a dart on 2- 1.5's or 2-2" lines will be more than enough either way i believe.
Chris

[fishfeeder]

Reefkoi, Are you saying that my 2" lines will flow more than enough, so the dart should NOT overflow my display?

I have just purchased some new bulkheads...the first ones I ordered were the heavy duty bulkheads...so I reordered just the standard bulkheads which were about 1/4" smaller than the HD ones & $7 cheaper!!!!! :-)

Thanx,

Jay

[fishfeeder]

Ok, Got new bulkheads in today... They fit! :-)

1st Question- Does the rubber gasket go on the bottom of the tank or top side?

2nd Question - If on bottom side, should I apply silicone to the bulkhead that is inside the overflow?

thanx,

Jay

[connecticut cichlids]

the rubber gasket goes inside the tank...hand tighten the nut....I personaly, would avoid using silicone on bulkheads..as long as the flange, and gasket are seated properly. JIM

[SDguy]

Just for clarification, the gasket goes on the flange side, regardless of whether the flange side is the wet side. Virtually all tank applications will have the flange side on the inside, or wet side. Many people, on the other hand, use bulkheads on their sumps with the flange side on the outside, or dry side. To further help you, some bulkheads come with two gaskets, one for each side. A gasket can only be used on the "nut" side if there is a slip disk between the nut and the gasket to keep from warping the gasket while tightening.

Don't use silicone. It can cause problems, and bulkheads are designed to work without it.

I've always hand tightened my bulkheads, as connecticut cichlids
said. I've heard of people adding a 1/4 turn with a wrench with no ill effects, just make sure the gasket doesn't start to bulge out or warp from over tightening.

HTH

[fishfeeder]

do you think that I should run both pipes into my sump or could I use a tee to connect the two drains and then go with a 2" line into my sump?

What is the best configuration for plumbing my tank?

I have a 2" drain on both back corner overflows w/ a center section 1 1/2" return.

I have split the 1 1/2" return into three 3/4" at the top of the tank for my locline that I plan to use.

Jay