Time for a complete Re-Plumb!

mpderksen · 05/08/2014, 08:51 AM

I have a few things I don't like about my current plumbing, and now that I'm adding a chiller, it seems like the right time to make it right. The biggest issue is my Herbie drain. The tank is drilled for a 3/4" and 1" drain, but I'm using the bigger one for the actual drain, and the 3/4" as the trickle/overflow. This is a time bomb, and if the strainer on the 1" ever got clogged, I'd have a flood for sure since the 3/4" can't handle the full flow. Also, I've been using the return flow as half my total DT circulation, and the reading I've been doing indicates this isn't the best way.
The overflow section:

The biggest trick is that the top is mostly covered, which means I have limited options for cords and return lines going back to the tank:

The pieces I have to work with are:
- Lifeguard Aquatics Quiet One 5000 pump
- Reef Devil Deluxe downdraft skimmer
- BRS dual reactor

The flow curve from the pump indicates it will produce ~1100gph at 4' head, which is the height from the sump to the top of the tank. I know I would lose more making the 90* turns into the tank.
Here's my math (please check this for me). The skimmer is supposed to run on a mag7, which it is now. If I push 700gph to the skimmer, that would leave ~400gph to the tank (The flow to the reactor is negligible). My plan is either to route the return through the new chiller, but this would drop the flow even further, and I think it is below the recommended minimum! If that's the case, then option #2 is to have it go through the chiller and THEN to the skimmer.
If I'm reading it right, a 3/4" open PVC can handle about 650gph so with a gate valve, it can be the primary, with the 1" becoming the emergency side.
The consequence of the switch is that my DT circulation will drop dramatically and I'll need additional flow. Looking at the top of the tank, clearly a Vortech MP40 is the way to go. I currently have an MP10 on one side, and the return on the other. I may pick up a cheap WP25 for now and deal with the cord.

Input from the experience here would be great before I get started.

mpderksen · 05/08/2014, 10:53 PM

More specific question: anything wrong with flowing from the chiller directly to the skimmer, and using what's left over as the return?

05/08/2014, 08:51 AM	#1
mpderksen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Manteca, CA Posts: 1,853	Time for a complete Re-Plumb! I have a few things I don't like about my current plumbing, and now that I'm adding a chiller, it seems like the right time to make it right. The biggest issue is my Herbie drain. The tank is drilled for a 3/4" and 1" drain, but I'm using the bigger one for the actual drain, and the 3/4" as the trickle/overflow. This is a time bomb, and if the strainer on the 1" ever got clogged, I'd have a flood for sure since the 3/4" can't handle the full flow. Also, I've been using the return flow as half my total DT circulation, and the reading I've been doing indicates this isn't the best way. The overflow section: The biggest trick is that the top is mostly covered, which means I have limited options for cords and return lines going back to the tank: The pieces I have to work with are: - Lifeguard Aquatics Quiet One 5000 pump - Reef Devil Deluxe downdraft skimmer - BRS dual reactor The flow curve from the pump indicates it will produce ~1100gph at 4' head, which is the height from the sump to the top of the tank. I know I would lose more making the 90* turns into the tank. Here's my math (please check this for me). The skimmer is supposed to run on a mag7, which it is now. If I push 700gph to the skimmer, that would leave ~400gph to the tank (The flow to the reactor is negligible). My plan is either to route the return through the new chiller, but this would drop the flow even further, and I think it is below the recommended minimum! If that's the case, then option #2 is to have it go through the chiller and THEN to the skimmer. If I'm reading it right, a 3/4" open PVC can handle about 650gph so with a gate valve, it can be the primary, with the 1" becoming the emergency side. The consequence of the switch is that my DT circulation will drop dramatically and I'll need additional flow. Looking at the top of the tank, clearly a Vortech MP40 is the way to go. I currently have an MP10 on one side, and the return on the other. I may pick up a cheap WP25 for now and deal with the cord. Input from the experience here would be great before I get started.

05/08/2014, 10:53 PM	#2
mpderksen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Manteca, CA Posts: 1,853	More specific question: anything wrong with flowing from the chiller directly to the skimmer, and using what's left over as the return?