Setting up a trickle "manifold" for my three tanks

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Very nice!

Automatic water change is the way to go - Coupled with good mechanical filtration it will keep your tank crystal clear and nearly nitrate free. I run automatic water changers on four out of five tanks at my house, I need to get on that fifth tank...
 
aclockworkorange said:
Question: is there any potential problem using copper pipe in this setting?
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Probably not. Copper won't leach significantly after an initial because it tends to form a mineralized coating on the inside of the pipe. In low pH this is less true, but it still is seldom an issue. Many houses (most houses in some areas) have copper plumbing, but you may never realize it if you don't tear open a wall or go into the crawl space. Even if your house doesn't have copper plumbing the water may have flowed through copper piping in the main, meter, or supply line.
 
Sarmo said:
hi Egon,

i use to use that same poly pipe as a chiller in the sump of my reef tank. i just ran water through the pipe and since it was cold, it cooled the system good enough for the couple weeks we hit the 100's.
i did have a problem though, the pipe got brittle and cracked and leaked. i'm not sure if it was the lights or the salt water that caused the poly pipe to break down. all i'd suggest is to watch it to see if it starts getting brittle..... mine turned white before it broke. now i use black 1/4" pipe for landscape driplines. also i quite using barb fittings as they failed fairly fast. the speed fittings don't seem to have that problem for me.

i noticed that you used brass fittings? no problem with them adding copper?
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I don't really test for copper? I've been doing this for a long time and my fish seem to get bigger, I don't think it's a problem.

Good info on the pipe leaking, I will watch for it turning white.

mustang93svt said:
Egon I tried pm'ming you but it was full. My main question is if you use pvc for your drain line? I wanted to use soft line for a drain because it would be easier to run behind the three tanks that are already set up. However I'm afraid of the soft line filling with water and stopping flow, causing the wet/dry or tank to overflow. i want to run one drain for a 420,300,280 gal. Would I be better off using pvc? I have plans on using a drip irrigation setup for supply on a timer. Thanks Ken
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Yeah I understand your situation. I think your instincts are correct and you may have flow issues with the soft line. I'm using 1.5" line and now I wish I went with 2". It's not really needed for the trickle but I could use the extra capacity when I drain for maintenance or power outages. I started out with just the 450, now I have all three tanks on this one drain.

I don't see a reason for a timer, just set the flow very low, test for nitrates once a week and increase or decrease flow as needed. I only check monthly now, more like quarterly most of the time. A timer is just another component to break, I like the K.I.S.S. method :)

cockroach said:
Using straight tap water you rebel. And my rock pile bothers you. lol
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LOL good point! For the record, I love your rock pile! And a year from now if it's still in your tank and not in your stand I'm going to do the same thing :)

Dan F said:
Very nice!

Automatic water change is the way to go - Coupled with good mechanical filtration it will keep your tank crystal clear and nearly nitrate free. I run automatic water changers on four out of five tanks at my house, I need to get on that fifth tank...
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I agree! I have three more tanks that need to go on this system :)

aclockworkorange said:
Egon, what's up with your OR location? How often are you here? That's very close to where I am.
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I don't get up there as much anymore. I'll drop you a line next time I'm in the area. I love the Wet Spot Pet Store!


Cheers all, thanks for looking at my thread :)
 
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