How many and where are the best place to put your union

Mudbeaver · 11/04/2013, 08:27 PM

I've got an unconventional set up and i'm kinda lost as to where put my union fittings now. Here's the set up plan and floor plan.

Both my display refugium and reef tank are connected to the sump. But the Refugium is on the other wall. I know some have their refugium in other rooms hidden but mine is a display one. A bit of real pictures now.

The sump will be underneath the reef tank here.

Behind the scene;

I have a Herbie system set up, the first bulkhead will have the gate valve near the wall and held by clamps and connected by hard pvc. Hard PVC will used on every bulkhead exit before changing to Black UltraFlex

So where would you put your unions and how many. Thanks

d2mini · 11/04/2013, 09:26 PM

Unions go before and after pumps or wherever you need to remove something for periodic maintenance. You also use them wherever you want the option of slightly adjusting plumbing or where you may want to dismantle plumbing for whatever reason. It's really up to you. The more you have, the more options you'll have.

And congratulations for having the strength to resist posting a poll.

ca1ore · 11/04/2013, 09:31 PM

Well, without overstating the obvious, you want unions wherever it would be very inconvenient to remove piping otherwise. I tend put a union on the external side of all bulkheads, and union ball valves to isolate any pumps or other equipment that will eventually need cleaning. BTW, I like the idea of a display refugium.

11/04/2013, 08:27 PM	#1
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	How many and where are the best place to put your union I've got an unconventional set up and i'm kinda lost as to where put my union fittings now. Here's the set up plan and floor plan. Both my display refugium and reef tank are connected to the sump. But the Refugium is on the other wall. I know some have their refugium in other rooms hidden but mine is a display one. A bit of real pictures now. The sump will be underneath the reef tank here. Behind the scene; I have a Herbie system set up, the first bulkhead will have the gate valve near the wall and held by clamps and connected by hard pvc. Hard PVC will used on every bulkhead exit before changing to Black UltraFlex So where would you put your unions and how many. Thanks

11/04/2013, 09:26 PM	#2
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	Unions go before and after pumps or wherever you need to remove something for periodic maintenance. You also use them wherever you want the option of slightly adjusting plumbing or where you may want to dismantle plumbing for whatever reason. It's really up to you. The more you have, the more options you'll have. And congratulations for having the strength to resist posting a poll. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

11/04/2013, 09:31 PM	#3
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Well, without overstating the obvious, you want unions wherever it would be very inconvenient to remove piping otherwise. I tend put a union on the external side of all bulkheads, and union ball valves to isolate any pumps or other equipment that will eventually need cleaning. BTW, I like the idea of a display refugium.