Biggest lesson learned so far, I completely under estimated the cost of pvc. I’m making this pretty with black pvc and gray schedule 80, and tons of unions plus top notch ball valves, but holy crap it’s costing a lot. I am over ordering from BRS and will be returning a bunch but I will have ordered $1,000 in plumbing and suspect will end up around $750 after I return excess.
530g Tank Setup and Plumbing Help :)
- Thread starter nzafi
- Start date
Well now that I am ready to start the fun, I decided to create a new thread dedicated to my tank setup. I will give the background again, but really need helping with the plumbing so all experts please share your wisdom!
Tank
- Acrylic tank from fishtankdirect.com but built by Suncoast Aquariums which is a "sister" company essentially.
- The tank will be 94in x 48in x 30in (high)
- Tank is due to arrive some time next week but here are some pics they sent me. It has been great dealing with these guys so far.
- I will be getting a steal stand courtesy of fellow MFKerjsodwi who has also awesome and tolerate of my many messages and texts
- The plan is to go bare bottom to minimize maintenance. I will mostly likely paint the bottom black
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Filtration
- Two corner 9in HMF filters run via powehead (essentially backup filtration plus to help hide equipment)
- Ultima II 1,000 w/ reeflo gold super dart (essentially primary filtration but really wanted it for backflush capabilities)
- The HMF will be running at about 1500 gph (3 times turnover) and the ultima will be around 1,000 gph giving me 2,500 gph / 5 times turnover
- Internal to the tank, I am adding eductors to the ultima lines via the loc lines. The eductors increase flow up to 4x which means I will be getting about 4,000 gph (keep in mind this is just in tank flow and does not impact turnover through the filter)
- Cold water drip running about 50g a day
Inhabitants
- Single 15-16in aimara wolf fish, but hope to maybe add something else one day
Plumbing
- I am doing a mix of sch 40 in black and sch 80 in gray. The tank is in my family room, and I was thinking of leaving the stand exposed because it can give an awesome wow factor. However, that means I want it to look extremely clean.
- I needed to go with sch 80 plumbing for all elbows, Tees, ball valves, etc because you cannot get sch 40 in black
- Drawings are not to scale nor accurate via sizing, but focused on identifying where I am running valves, elbows, tees, etc.
Here is where I need help!!!mrrobxc . Below are pics of drawings of all my planned plumbing. I have laid this out so others that are as bad with their hands can see my logic and maybe learn. I also have some really important questions that I would like to get answered.
1) What pvc cement should I get (are there colored versions that go better with black/gray plumbing). I am planning on using pipe thread sealant on the reeflo pump
2) JK47 - When connecting plumbing to the reeflo so I use a spigot x male thread connector? You used a nipple that you did not recommend. The spigot I am assuming I can connect to the union direct and the male thread to the pump
3) Does it matter where I put the Tee or Cross for splitting lines? I planned on putting them as close to the tank as possible
4) If I use ball valves do I need unions? Looks like the ball valves act as unions also? I am planning on using lots of unions which you will see in my drawings but not sure they are needed by the ball valves.
5) When I cut pvc, do I need to sand it? Is there a best way to cut it?
6) Do I need to support parallel lines of pvc? I am assuming yes.
Here are the pics. I have already ordered a ton of PVC but need to order the rest. I am ordering everything from bulkreefsupply essentially as their prices aren't bad and they allow for free returns. This way I just order a ton. Please feel free to ask questions, or provide any feedback.
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My apologies for the late reply. I’ll do my best but I’m far from being an expert
I used Christy’s purple primer and their red hot glue. It worked for both PVC and ABS pipes. I used rectorseal for the threads on my reeflo pump and used Blue Monster Teflon tape on my Ultima threads.
For ball valves and unions, I used union ball valves on my overflow pipes and on the valves to my pumps. I used regular ball valves on my return manifold for the Ultima. I used Unions anywhere I thought I’d need the ability to take it apart. I have a total of 10 ball valves on my setup. 7 of them are union ball valves. I used a total of 4 additional unions on my setup for a total of 11 unions so that my plumbing can be taken apart at 11 different places without cutting.
I would recommend you go to Lowe’s and pick up a OVC cutter than can cut up to 2” pipe. Home Depot only carries cutters that can handle 1.25” pipe. I was using an axle grinder to cut my pvc and it was inaccurate. So I went to a hand saw but that was tiring. Finally, when I was mostly finished I came upon the cutters that can handle 2” pipe. Makes life so much easier. Highly recommend you go that route for ease and for straight accurate cuts.
Finally, for support, I supported any part of pipe I could to reduce strain in my bulkheads. I screwed the supports in straight into the wood stand.
I learned that lesson too. Just got white schedule 40 behind the tank. Use black only where visible. And if you must, go white and then spray paint them black after they’re glued.
JK47
and
mrrobxc
howd you guys connect plumbing to the ultima? Mine only arrives next week and want to start thinking through it. Couple questions: 1) Reading the manual it looks like it comes with white unions but not if it’s slip or threaded.
2) If threaded did you use a putty or special plumbers tape?
3) Could I swap out the white unions for gray schedule 80?
Thanks!
Special thank you to
jsodwi
for dropping of my new stand yesterday! Planning to paint the plywood black to match the stand. 
getting very excited, next week will be a big week with tank and remaining plumbing arriving.
jsodwi
for dropping of my new stand yesterday! Planning to paint the plywood black to match the stand. getting very excited, next week will be a big week with tank and remaining plumbing arriving.
1) Reading the manual it looks like it comes with white unions but not if it’s slip or threaded.
2) If threaded did you use a putty or special plumbers tape?
3) Could I swap out the white unions for gray schedule 80?
Thanks!
1) the union is a male threaded end that threads into the female threads on the Ultima head unit. The other end is female slip.
2) use thicker tape like the grey mighty stuff. It will match your plumbing better. Do not use any type of putty or cement or it voids the warranty. Use on roll per union. That will feel like too much. It isn’t and you may end up using a whole roll to stop a leak after it’s running anyway.
3) You can swap out the white for grey schedule 80 no problem. Order a male thread x male spigot from BRS in 1.5” and it will keep your plumbing clean and not as bulky.
jsodwi
does some killer work! That looks greatJK47 - thank you!
One coat of paint on the plywood. Need to do a second coat and then paint the other side. You will see I have painted the holes and sides. I want as clean of a look at possible. Goal is to blend the plywood into the stand.
Overall I want to try and leave the stand exposed to show off the full tank, hence over doing the painting and spending so much more on pvc. Happy so far!
One coat of paint on the plywood. Need to do a second coat and then paint the other side. You will see I have painted the holes and sides. I want as clean of a look at possible. Goal is to blend the plywood into the stand.
Overall I want to try and leave the stand exposed to show off the full tank, hence over doing the painting and spending so much more on pvc. Happy so far!
I like the idea of exposing underneath the stand. What I would find challenging is keeping things tidy and clean being in my living room. I have a sump and just plumbed with white pvc and do keep the stand panels/diors off sometime.
I too like using clear primer especially for white pvc. I'm looking forward seeing this come together for you.
I too like using clear primer especially for white pvc. I'm looking forward seeing this come together for you.
