a couple of plumbing questions

PapaKlix · 04/21/2009, 09:57 AM

my tank is pre-drilled for 1 1/4" PVC and actually came with a plumbing kit that includes a durso standpipe. it provides a slip fitting underneath the tank to work with.

here are my questions:

i'm assuming i should work with 1 1/4" pipe in my drain and return lines?

i don't particularly like the idea of using rigid standard PVC pipe, is 1 1/4" vinyl tubing commonly used/acceptable? if not, what do people use (hoping for something available at the big box stores)?

thanks for the continued help!

der_wille_zur_macht · 04/21/2009, 10:02 AM

1 1/4" should be used for the drain - you want to match the bulkhead size, more or less. Flexible hose is fine - as long as it's fairly stout (i.e. not really thin-walled and floppy).

For the return, you really need to size it to the requirements for the return pump you select - in some cases, this may be smaller or larger than the drain plumbing. Hose is fine here too, same caveats as above.

PapaKlix · 04/21/2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht
1 1/4" should be used for the drain - you want to match the bulkhead size, more or less. Flexible hose is fine - as long as it's fairly stout (i.e. not really thin-walled and floppy).

For the return, you really need to size it to the requirements for the return pump you select - in some cases, this may be smaller or larger than the drain plumbing. Hose is fine here too, same caveats as above.

I have a mag 9 for the return, which will be too much flow for my setup (head loss calc says 754gph @ 1 1/2" pipe vs. my required 400). i want to divert some to the fuge, figured any residual i would just send back down to the return section. should i use smaller pipe to reduce flow given that i don't need it? at 3/4", my setup clocks in at 596gph.

this is in an 80 gallon tank.

PapaKlix · 04/22/2009, 02:41 PM

Can someone answer if I should go with a smaller diameter return pipe to restrict flow? I want to get this stuff on my way home tonight.

der_wille_zur_macht · 04/22/2009, 02:46 PM

I would stick with the manufacturer's recommended diameter, and use a ball valve to control flow.

Sisterlimonpot · 04/22/2009, 03:03 PM

Use a ball valve to control flow back to your fuge/sump.

04/21/2009, 09:57 AM	#1
PapaKlix Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 374	a couple of plumbing questions my tank is pre-drilled for 1 1/4" PVC and actually came with a plumbing kit that includes a durso standpipe. it provides a slip fitting underneath the tank to work with. here are my questions: i'm assuming i should work with 1 1/4" pipe in my drain and return lines? i don't particularly like the idea of using rigid standard PVC pipe, is 1 1/4" vinyl tubing commonly used/acceptable? if not, what do people use (hoping for something available at the big box stores)? thanks for the continued help!

04/21/2009, 10:02 AM	#2
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	1 1/4" should be used for the drain - you want to match the bulkhead size, more or less. Flexible hose is fine - as long as it's fairly stout (i.e. not really thin-walled and floppy). For the return, you really need to size it to the requirements for the return pump you select - in some cases, this may be smaller or larger than the drain plumbing. Hose is fine here too, same caveats as above. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

04/22/2009, 02:46 PM	#5
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	I would stick with the manufacturer's recommended diameter, and use a ball valve to control flow. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

04/22/2009, 03:03 PM	#6
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Use a ball valve to control flow back to your fuge/sump. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

04/22/2009, 02:41 PM	#4
PapaKlix Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 374	Can someone answer if I should go with a smaller diameter return pipe to restrict flow? I want to get this stuff on my way home tonight.