plumbing questions

SundaeBest · 10/29/2013, 08:06 PM

Hi guys. So I bought a setup from a fellow reefer who was moving. I'm anxious to get this puppy up and running, but there's still a lot I need to learn, and I'm having difficulty with the plumbing logistics.

I have a 40gal Jebo glass, rimless, rounded front corners (never been used). There is a hole with about a 3inch diameter on the "floor" of the tank, towards the back wall of the tank, right in the center. So I'm guessing this is where the overflow box will go. The setup also came with the overflow box, but it needs to glued still.

The deal also included a stand and custom sump (looks to be around 35~40 gal sump), ASM G2 skimmer, and sedra ksp-3500 pump.

My questions:

What should I use to attach overflow box?

How do I set up the plumbing, I've been trying to search these forums and YouTube, but have not had much luck. To the best of my knowledge, I know I'll need some them of waterflow lines and/or PVC, and another pump. After that I am absolutely clueless.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

SundaeBest · 10/29/2013, 08:10 PM

edessa · 10/29/2013, 09:31 PM

You will need PVC gate valves and ball valves for controlling and shutting off flow. PVC unions to be able to disconnect the plumbing in an emergency or as required for maintenance. Google aquarium sump plumbing and you find tons of info.
Hope this helps.

oscarinw · 10/29/2013, 09:40 PM

You should use sylicone to attach the overflow box. Probably black sylicone would look better. However, make sure you get the plain stuff. Search safe sylicone on this forum for ideas. The other stuff can be catastrophic for a reef tank.
For the plumbing, with one hole, you are probably looking at a 1 line drain. However 3 inches across sounds like an awful big drain hole. Contact the maker of the tank and ask them what bulkhead size you need for that hole. You will need to go with either a durso pipe (sold at the LFSs) or you can fit a PVC pipe to the upper side of the bulkhead to where you want your level in the overflow section to be at.
I would recommend drilling a second hole to the tank and actually putting a herbie drain on it. It will depend on whether you can fit both bulkheads inside the overflow box so hold on the gluing of it. Make sure everything will fit before gluing anything.
With both the durso or the herbie if you go with a second hole, you will need to plumb an over the top return line. This can be accomplished via a piece of hose from the return pump, to a barb to thread fitting, to a PVC thread to slip coupler, to a PVC pipe piece that takes the water back up, over the edge of the tank so you will need 2 or 3 90 degree elbows and the corresponding connecting PVC sections and a loc-line nozzle as the last piece of the return or outlet. Loc-line is optional as you could simply finish with a PVC 3-way elbow but the loc-line will allow you to route your water outlet and play with the flow that way. Google loc-line nozzle for purchasing options.
If you go with the Herbie method, you will need to furnish your drain line with a gate valve (although a ball valve can do but those tend to stick over time) to match your return flow. US Plastics sell PVC gate valves but I'm sure you can get them in other places as well.
Good thing about the Herbie method is you can make it virtually silent.
I am a bit curious about your 'one hole' setup especially cause 3 inches seems a bit larger than usual so make sure to get the actual opening measurement and follow-up with the maker of the tank.
I hope this helps a bit. I can definitely answer other questions so let me know.
Happy reefing and remember: baby steps!

Good luck with things!

Daimyo68 · 10/29/2013, 10:08 PM

Before even going any further, measure the hole to find out what size bulkhead you will need. Without knowing that, you can't make any plans for anything else.

rfgonzo · 10/29/2013, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daimyo68

Before even going any further, measure the hole to find out what size bulkhead you will need. Without knowing that, you can't make any plans for anything else.

Yes +1, 3'' sounds to large for a 40gal tank measure it out first. As for the the Silicone I would take a look at black RTV high performance MIL-A-46106B silicone from GE or Momentive Performance Materials.

10/29/2013, 08:06 PM	#1
SundaeBest Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So cal Posts: 20	plumbing questions Hi guys. So I bought a setup from a fellow reefer who was moving. I'm anxious to get this puppy up and running, but there's still a lot I need to learn, and I'm having difficulty with the plumbing logistics. I have a 40gal Jebo glass, rimless, rounded front corners (never been used). There is a hole with about a 3inch diameter on the "floor" of the tank, towards the back wall of the tank, right in the center. So I'm guessing this is where the overflow box will go. The setup also came with the overflow box, but it needs to glued still. The deal also included a stand and custom sump (looks to be around 35~40 gal sump), ASM G2 skimmer, and sedra ksp-3500 pump. My questions: What should I use to attach overflow box? How do I set up the plumbing, I've been trying to search these forums and YouTube, but have not had much luck. To the best of my knowledge, I know I'll need some them of waterflow lines and/or PVC, and another pump. After that I am absolutely clueless. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

10/29/2013, 08:10 PM	#2
SundaeBest Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So cal Posts: 20	picture

10/29/2013, 09:31 PM	#3
edessa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Highland Heights, OH Posts: 48	You will need PVC gate valves and ball valves for controlling and shutting off flow. PVC unions to be able to disconnect the plumbing in an emergency or as required for maintenance. Google aquarium sump plumbing and you find tons of info. Hope this helps. __________________ 110 Gallon tall, Aqueon modular model 4 sump, CPR CS90 overflow. SCA-302 skimmer Livestock: 4" hippo tang, one clown, two damsels. Large green polyp leather. Current Tank Info: 110G tall, 100 LBS live rock, Aqueon modular model 4 sump.

10/29/2013, 10:08 PM	#5
Daimyo68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Palm Beach, FL Posts: 2,270	Before even going any further, measure the hole to find out what size bulkhead you will need. Without knowing that, you can't make any plans for anything else. __________________ 120g, 50g Sump, SRO XP2000i, MP40W x2, DIY Hybrid LED/T5 Fixture, Apex PBMAS VP 2010-11 PBMAS 2017 President

10/29/2013, 09:40 PM	#4
oscarinw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 1,091	You should use sylicone to attach the overflow box. Probably black sylicone would look better. However, make sure you get the plain stuff. Search safe sylicone on this forum for ideas. The other stuff can be catastrophic for a reef tank. For the plumbing, with one hole, you are probably looking at a 1 line drain. However 3 inches across sounds like an awful big drain hole. Contact the maker of the tank and ask them what bulkhead size you need for that hole. You will need to go with either a durso pipe (sold at the LFSs) or you can fit a PVC pipe to the upper side of the bulkhead to where you want your level in the overflow section to be at. I would recommend drilling a second hole to the tank and actually putting a herbie drain on it. It will depend on whether you can fit both bulkheads inside the overflow box so hold on the gluing of it. Make sure everything will fit before gluing anything. With both the durso or the herbie if you go with a second hole, you will need to plumb an over the top return line. This can be accomplished via a piece of hose from the return pump, to a barb to thread fitting, to a PVC thread to slip coupler, to a PVC pipe piece that takes the water back up, over the edge of the tank so you will need 2 or 3 90 degree elbows and the corresponding connecting PVC sections and a loc-line nozzle as the last piece of the return or outlet. Loc-line is optional as you could simply finish with a PVC 3-way elbow but the loc-line will allow you to route your water outlet and play with the flow that way. Google loc-line nozzle for purchasing options. If you go with the Herbie method, you will need to furnish your drain line with a gate valve (although a ball valve can do but those tend to stick over time) to match your return flow. US Plastics sell PVC gate valves but I'm sure you can get them in other places as well. Good thing about the Herbie method is you can make it virtually silent. I am a bit curious about your 'one hole' setup especially cause 3 inches seems a bit larger than usual so make sure to get the actual opening measurement and follow-up with the maker of the tank. I hope this helps a bit. I can definitely answer other questions so let me know. Happy reefing and remember: baby steps! Good luck with things!