complete overflow/plumbing/bulkhead noobie. Need help.

Cozen89 · 05/19/2007, 04:19 AM

Hi,

I'm getting a custom made acrylic tank that measures 75 gallons 60long x 18wide x 16 tall.

I'm having a built in overflow made in the tank and I'm not sure what size/type bulkhead to get. It will be draining to a sump with skimmer/refugium @ 20-30 gallons via pvc. The return will come up the back of the tank and in through the top of the tank. Not drilled into the back of the tank. Need some help/advice on this as I am completely new to this.

A few things to consider:

1) the tank is only 16 inches tall, does that effect how big the bulkhead can be? I'd prefer to have a healthy amount of flow. What size bulkhead can I go?

2) Should I have 2 holes drilled in the bottom of the overflow and use two bulkheads? advantages and disadvantages to this? If two, what sizes?

3) What is the function of a durso pipe?

4) read something about thread to thread bulkhead vs slip to slip. What is slip to slip? Anyone have a picture? Which is better and why?

5) Anyone have pictures of their pvc plumbing that can help me understand the best way to set this up and not have a lot of room for error. Flooding is not an option in an apartment building.

6) Any good alternatives to pvc piping?

7) any additional advice? remember, I am new to this, so even the smallest details can be brought up.

Thanks to all in advance.

Husky_1 · 05/19/2007, 05:17 AM

1) I cannot see why this would limit the size of your builkhead
2.) Definitely go with 2 holes. If you only have 1 and it gets clogged, which it will, then you will overflow your tank from your sump. 1" pipe supports about 600gph overflow from what I have been told. So you would have to drill according to what size whole is needed for the 1" bh. You will know the correct size based on the specs from where you get your BH
3)Durso pipe stops the gurgling sound of air in the line
4) Slip-Slip is just what it sound like, on the back of the bulkhead you will have to glue/cement your piece in. Thread-thread is just that, you will have to screw the pieces in, using teflon tape/sealer. Personally I prefer the threaded so that I dont have to glue to the bulkhead. This allows for flexibility down the line IMO.
5)My pics are not up yet, but I would suggest using ball valves right after any place in the tank that you have a bulkhead. This will allow you to shutoff all of your flow (after you turn off your pumps of course). Unions after the ballvalve so that you can take stuff apart.
6) I have heard of people using spa flex, and you can always use braided flex. I also bought this flex pvc that can use fittings or be glued, but I was not happy with it since it could not really fit into the same size fitting as advertised
7)Just think everything out first, do dry runs before your glue up, and think about future expansion and changes when designing.
Use the teflon sealer on threaded.
Dont tighten down the BH's too much, I did about 1/8th of a turn more than I could get it hand tight.
IMO Dont use silicone on the BH, you loose the ability to rotate your bh, because if you do the silicon will no longer be affective, and will probably hinder your seal.
Take your time when putting it all together.

Cozen89 · 05/19/2007, 05:24 AM

thanks for the reply. The reason I ask #1 about the height making a diference is because someone on this forum sent me this link reguarding bulkhead size and I thought it says you have a minimum required or recomended height of overflow.

http://reefcentral.com/calc/drain.php

So if I was to go 2 bulkheads, what size do you recommend? 2 1 inch bulkheads? Will this make my plumbing a headache?

Anyone have a good DIY sump/refugium design for a 2 drain overflow?

also I heard it was bad to have a ballvalve on the drain pipes as it restricts flow. Any more opinions on this?

Husky_1 · 05/19/2007, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cozen89
thanks for the reply. The reason I ask #1 about the height making a diference is because someone on this forum sent me this link reguarding bulkhead size and I thought it says you have a minimum required or recomended height of overflow.

http://reefcentral.com/calc/drain.php

So if I was to go 2 bulkheads, what size do you recommend? 2 1 inch bulkheads? Will this make my plumbing a headache?

Anyone have a good DIY sump/refugium design for a 2 drain overflow?

also I heard it was bad to have a ballvalve on the drain pipes as it restricts flow. Any more opinions on this?

I went with 2 1".

I really don't see it restricting the flow any more than you hose barb that you will have.

Also, where will you be drilling the wholes, on the bottom or on the side?

Cozen89 · 05/19/2007, 07:02 AM

bottom

Cozen89 · 05/19/2007, 05:15 PM

I'm thinking 1.5 inch single. I don't really see how the bulkhead would get clogged if the internal overflow box is properly made. So I don't see a need for 2 bulkheads. Plus it complicates plumbing.

Any other opinions?

How much flow is a 1.5 inch bulkhead approximatley?

Henry Bowman · 05/19/2007, 05:19 PM

Theres a plumbing calculator and bulkhead flow information on the forum home page. You have to "turn on" the left column information to see it. It's very helpful with flow calculations and pipe size necessary for setting up a tank.

Henry Bowman · 05/19/2007, 05:21 PM

Here's a link to the drain size calculator.

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/drain.php

Cozen89 · 05/19/2007, 07:47 PM

thanks, those calculators are pretty cool.

So according to it, a 1 inch bulkhead is @ 600 gallons of flow and a 1.25 inch bulkhead is @ 900 gallons of flow per hour.

What do you all recommend? Is one size easier to plumb than another due to standardization or availability of parts/sizes? Thanks.

Henry Bowman · 05/19/2007, 09:56 PM

I'd do 2 for the safety of a possible clog. I also would recommend a stockman style overflow for the noise recuction. It makes the overflows nearly silent.

Cozen89 · 05/20/2007, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Henry Bowman
I'd do 2 for the safety of a possible clog. I also would recommend a stockman style overflow for the noise recuction. It makes the overflows nearly silent.

what would cause a clog? If the overflow is completely sealed off with the exception of the teeth at the top, what could get in there to clog it? I've seen a tank that this guy has made and the top of the teeth are all the way at the top of the tank. It's acrylic too so there is a top to it with a section cut out. But I still don't see what would get in there and clog it.

05/19/2007, 05:17 AM	#2
Husky_1 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 1,541	1) I cannot see why this would limit the size of your builkhead 2.) Definitely go with 2 holes. If you only have 1 and it gets clogged, which it will, then you will overflow your tank from your sump. 1" pipe supports about 600gph overflow from what I have been told. So you would have to drill according to what size whole is needed for the 1" bh. You will know the correct size based on the specs from where you get your BH 3)Durso pipe stops the gurgling sound of air in the line 4) Slip-Slip is just what it sound like, on the back of the bulkhead you will have to glue/cement your piece in. Thread-thread is just that, you will have to screw the pieces in, using teflon tape/sealer. Personally I prefer the threaded so that I dont have to glue to the bulkhead. This allows for flexibility down the line IMO. 5)My pics are not up yet, but I would suggest using ball valves right after any place in the tank that you have a bulkhead. This will allow you to shutoff all of your flow (after you turn off your pumps of course). Unions after the ballvalve so that you can take stuff apart. 6) I have heard of people using spa flex, and you can always use braided flex. I also bought this flex pvc that can use fittings or be glued, but I was not happy with it since it could not really fit into the same size fitting as advertised 7)Just think everything out first, do dry runs before your glue up, and think about future expansion and changes when designing. Use the teflon sealer on threaded. Dont tighten down the BH's too much, I did about 1/8th of a turn more than I could get it hand tight. IMO Dont use silicone on the BH, you loose the ability to rotate your bh, because if you do the silicon will no longer be affective, and will probably hinder your seal. Take your time when putting it all together. __________________ Out of the hobby, but thinking of rejoining Current Tank Info: 92 Reef, 10 Reef

05/19/2007, 05:19 PM	#7
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	Theres a plumbing calculator and bulkhead flow information on the forum home page. You have to "turn on" the left column information to see it. It's very helpful with flow calculations and pipe size necessary for setting up a tank. __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

05/19/2007, 05:21 PM	#8
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	Here's a link to the drain size calculator. http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/drain.php __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

05/19/2007, 09:56 PM	#10
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	I'd do 2 for the safety of a possible clog. I also would recommend a stockman style overflow for the noise recuction. It makes the overflows nearly silent. __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

05/19/2007, 04:19 AM	#1
Cozen89 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 1,411	complete overflow/plumbing/bulkhead noobie. Need help. Hi, I'm getting a custom made acrylic tank that measures 75 gallons 60long x 18wide x 16 tall. I'm having a built in overflow made in the tank and I'm not sure what size/type bulkhead to get. It will be draining to a sump with skimmer/refugium @ 20-30 gallons via pvc. The return will come up the back of the tank and in through the top of the tank. Not drilled into the back of the tank. Need some help/advice on this as I am completely new to this. A few things to consider: 1) the tank is only 16 inches tall, does that effect how big the bulkhead can be? I'd prefer to have a healthy amount of flow. What size bulkhead can I go? 2) Should I have 2 holes drilled in the bottom of the overflow and use two bulkheads? advantages and disadvantages to this? If two, what sizes? 3) What is the function of a durso pipe? 4) read something about thread to thread bulkhead vs slip to slip. What is slip to slip? Anyone have a picture? Which is better and why? 5) Anyone have pictures of their pvc plumbing that can help me understand the best way to set this up and not have a lot of room for error. Flooding is not an option in an apartment building. 6) Any good alternatives to pvc piping? 7) any additional advice? remember, I am new to this, so even the smallest details can be brought up. Thanks to all in advance. Last edited by Cozen89; 05/19/2007 at 04:26 AM.

05/19/2007, 05:24 AM	#3
Cozen89 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 1,411	thanks for the reply. The reason I ask #1 about the height making a diference is because someone on this forum sent me this link reguarding bulkhead size and I thought it says you have a minimum required or recomended height of overflow. http://reefcentral.com/calc/drain.php So if I was to go 2 bulkheads, what size do you recommend? 2 1 inch bulkheads? Will this make my plumbing a headache? Anyone have a good DIY sump/refugium design for a 2 drain overflow? also I heard it was bad to have a ballvalve on the drain pipes as it restricts flow. Any more opinions on this?

05/19/2007, 07:02 AM	#5
Cozen89 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 1,411	bottom

05/19/2007, 05:15 PM	#6
Cozen89 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 1,411	I'm thinking 1.5 inch single. I don't really see how the bulkhead would get clogged if the internal overflow box is properly made. So I don't see a need for 2 bulkheads. Plus it complicates plumbing. Any other opinions? How much flow is a 1.5 inch bulkhead approximatley?

05/19/2007, 07:47 PM	#9
Cozen89 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 1,411	thanks, those calculators are pretty cool. So according to it, a 1 inch bulkhead is @ 600 gallons of flow and a 1.25 inch bulkhead is @ 900 gallons of flow per hour. What do you all recommend? Is one size easier to plumb than another due to standardization or availability of parts/sizes? Thanks.