530g Tank Setup and Plumbing Help :)

[nzafi]

Omg I’m tired from cutting and fitting, and the refitting. Here is one progress pic of how I’m doing the intakes into the reeflo pump. What is so difficult is that you can see my 3/4in in the background which need to clear all I take pvc but then also perfectly line up to the intake and return of the ultima.

Please ignore stuff not being perfectly level. I plan to level it out but you can see I’m using tape and sponges to prop stuff into place so I can measure everything.

New level of respect for all that have done this before!!

 

[nzafi]

To go an idea of what I’m doing here is an angle shot. You can see the pvc coming out of the ultima and pump and how it has to criss cross to get to the 3 returns. The pvc for the return coming out of the ultima is about 1-1.5in to long and it looks like the 3/4in returns need to move up 2-3in to give me space for the cross that will join them. Here is the before pic and I’ll share after pic once I get this sorted.

 

[nzafi]

First problem of the day JK47 . You seem to be an expert in airline tubing (along with everything else). I ordered 8in round airstones (these are massive) but they came with 3/8th connections and not the typical 1/4in airline tubing. Is there a way to still connect these to my 1/4in manifold? I can’t seem to find squat via google.

 

[JK47]

Omg I’m tired from cutting and fitting, and the refitting. Here is one progress pic of how I’m doing the intakes into the reeflo pump. What is so difficult is that you can see my 3/4in in the background which need to clear all I take pvc but then also perfectly line up to the intake and return of the ultima.

Please ignore stuff not being perfectly level. I plan to level it out but you can see I’m using tape and sponges to prop stuff into place so I can measure everything.

New level of respect for all that have done this before!!
View attachment 1321742

To go an idea of what I’m doing here is an angle shot. You can see the pvc coming out of the ultima and pump and how it has to criss cross to get to the 3 returns. The pvc for the return coming out of the ultima is about 1-1.5in to long and it looks like the 3/4in returns need to move up 2-3in to give me space for the cross that will join them. Here is the before pic and I’ll share after pic once I get this sorted.

View attachment 1321763

First problem of the day JK47 . You seem to be an expert in airline tubing (along with everything else). I ordered 8in round airstones (these are massive) but they came with 3/8th connections and not the typical 1/4in airline tubing. Is there a way to still connect these to my 1/4in manifold? I can’t seem to find squat via google.

Looks downright stellar! Well done so far, I like the layout too. You can connect 3/8” ID hose a number of ways. I’ll get you pics in a couple hours when I get home

 

[nzafi]

Next progress pic. Here is the manifold with valves that I built for my returns. All these valves and schedule 80 plumbing is insanely heavy! I will install this piece and then need to connect to the ultima. Unfortunately that part will be ugly because i cannot run a straight line and need to do elbows.

One big focus for me is to make sure all intake plumbing is as straight as possible. My logic is that the pump pushes better than it pulls, and with an oversized pump I can deal with some extra elbows on the return side.

 

[nzafi]

Well this was quick. Manifold installed. Tons of blue tape to hold everything and do supports. In the second pic you can see the problem I mentioned between connecting the ultima and the return. That is my next problem to solve with some elbows.

 

[mrrobxc]

Progress looks amazing. You can minimize all those elbows with some flex PVC.

 

[JK47]

Well this was quick. Manifold installed. Tons of blue tape to hold everything and do supports. In the second pic you can see the problem I mentioned between connecting the ultima and the return. That is my next problem to solve with some elbows.

View attachment 1321803 View attachment 1321804

On the Ultima to tank line, you can cut off some pipe, turn the elbow down and run that line under the pump to Ultima line. There’s just enough room to squeez a sideways line in there. That will eliminate one elbow from the equation.

Like you said though you have loss and then some so no worries

 

[nzafi]

Next update. After looking at the piping on the ultima I realized I was over complicating things and can just run the return under the intake. JK47 I believe this is what you were saying also. mrrobxc im not worried about the elbows because I’m oversized. I’m trying to actually go for a “holy crap that plumbing looks cool!!!” look also which I don’t feel I get with the flex pvc.



Plumbing for reeflo and ultima mostly done. I need to plumb the ultima backflush lone but that is last on my list honestly. JK47 one of the surprising things for me is how few unions I have used. I think it’s a result of all the union ball valves. I feel like I can disassemble this setup somewhat easily the way it is. You will see I did put a union for the return from the ultima because I felt like it needed it

Next things up are finishing the 1/2in drains in the tank and then running the drains through the drywall. I also get my heavy duty magnets tonight to see if I can make my powerheads works.

Crapload did me to do I order to get this tank running by Thursday. I might have to put off electrical cleanup to next week.

 

[JK47]

Next update. After looking at the piping on the ultima I realized I was over complicating things and can just run the return under the intake. JK47 I believe this is what you were saying also. mrrobxc im not worried about the elbows because I’m oversized. I’m trying to actually go for a “holy crap that plumbing looks cool!!!” look also which I don’t feel I get with the flex pvc.

View attachment 1321818

Plumbing for reeflo and ultima mostly done. I need to plumb the ultima backflush lone but that is last on my list honestly. JK47 one of the surprising things for me is how few unions I have used. I think it’s a result of all the union ball valves. I feel like I can disassemble this setup somewhat easily the way it is. You will see I did put a union for the return from the ultima because I felt like it needed it

Next things up are finishing the 1/2in drains in the tank and then running the drains through the drywall. I also get my heavy duty magnets tonight to see if I can make my powerheads works.

Crapload did me to do I order to get this tank running by Thursday. I might have to put off electrical cleanup to next week.

Yeah it’s looking great so far! You’re hitting all the boxes for sexy plumbing. You may consider unions just under the stand on the vertical pipes (intake to pump). Possibly the return manifold/assembly as well. Those are large items to pull out but the need to is incredibly rare.