Eheim 2262 plumbing question

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

jart

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2011
12
1
3
NS
Hi all,

First post here, so be gentle. I am looking at setting up a 6 foot tank as soon as our new home is built; likely a 125 gallon. This will be a heavily planted tank (I can hear the snickers already, but hey, plant nerds need to interact with others, too) and the fish in it will be far from monster size. I am here on MFK because there seems to be a wealth of information on larger tanks here (duh, "monster" is what the "M" is for) and beastly filters.

I am amazed at the detail which some of you include in your equipment threads here. Very informative. Particularly, I found this thread particularly helpful because I am in the market for a new Eheim 2262. That's right. I will be a first time Eheim owner. No point in trying to convince me otherwise.

I'd like to split the return of the 2262 and use two spraybars, one on each side of the tank, in order to ensure good circulation. I would think that splitting the return would cut down on flow somewhat (I'll try to minimize 90 degree PVC turns whenever possible), but I feel that this filter should still have plenty of output on a tank this size.

Below is a somewhat crude (some might say Paleolithic) diagram of my plumbing plans. For simplicity, I have left out the two inline heaters and CO2 reactors. The diagram shows only the return of the 2262. You can see that it splits into two lines. I plan on having both a drain (for water changes) and hot and cold water lines (for refilling the tank) hard plumbed into the wall behind the tank (to semi-automate water changes).

plumbing.jpg


So, my questions:
1) Does it make sense to have the water intake where it is on the diagram, or should I spice it into the intake side of the filter?

2) Does the rest of the plan as laid out in the diagram make sense?

I realize that I would still be able to backflush the filter, as is eloquently outlined in this thread. I don't think I would want to use the backflush feature for each and every water change, however. I think it would be much faster to let the filter pump the water out of the tank.

Lastly, please don't PM me with requests for drawings to accommodate your next thread on this forum. The above diagram happened mostly by accident, yet it is elegant in its simplicity. Truly a work of art.

Thanks for reading :)
 
That size tank why not go with Eheim 2262 on one side and a close loop pump on the other side and the pump you could add co2 reactor {or what ever you set-up is} in-line heater an a UV light and the filter for filtering you will have plenty of flow . I am replacing my filter with a Eheim 2262 this week an it will have a inline co2 Atomic co2 diffuser and a 300w Hydro heater. my tank is a 60x24x18 {110g}
 
Thanks. And thanks for nor poking fun at my crude drawing :). I would prefer to have two outlets, both with their own CO2 reactor and heater, on a tank this length. I want to ensure adequate CO2 dispersal.
 
So I spent a bit of time and cleaned up the diagram a little bit.
Any comments are welcome.
The red bars are intended to represent ball valves.
Thanks!
outletSept.jpg
 
Welcome to MFK

Glad to inspire :redface:

Your plans look good, just a few questions: Do you want to hard-plumb it with PVC, or tubing? Also, since you go out of your way accomodating water changes, why not plan a drip system for the new house?

HarleyK
 
Thank you for the comments, and the welcome as well.

Once I have more time (I am being married next weekend), I would like to spend more time here looking at some of your members' setups and, of course, unique fish. But for now, I am in research mode :). Our new house is being built, and since this is such a great opportunity to have it plumbed the way I want, I would like to get all my ducks in a row, so to speak. I'm not really holding anything back on this tank. In other words, I'm willing to spend the money now so that in 2 years I am not wishing I had done things differently.

You ask if I would like to work with PVC, or tubing. I would assume PVC would be easiest to work with... but then a friend of mine mentioned Pex. I need to look into this a little further. I am open to suggestion. I do know that I'll have to minimize 90 degree turns when using PVC.

I currently do 50% water changes weekly on all my tanks. This was going to be my intent with the 6 foot tank I am planning. Ideally, once a week I will turn a couple of valves, wait until the tank drains, then turn a few more valves, and wait until the tank refills. That should be pretty easy. The main downside to this is 1) I have to be present to do the WC, and 2) I have to pay attention and not get distracted or else i have a mess on my hands.

Do you really think a drip system would be better than what I have planned? I appreciate all opinions. You people obviously know how to handle large volumes of water. I see there are some PDF files (regarding automation) here on your website... they look a bit complicated. But I am always ready to learn.

Thanks for reading!
 
Thanks for the reply (once again :)). And the links. Very helpful!

I am back from the honeymoon and things are still pretty busy but I can start thinking about this project once again.

Could I ask you why you asked this question:
Do you want to hard-plumb it with PVC, or tubing?

Just wondering what the merits of using tubing might be, vs PVC.
Cheers!
 
Howdy,

I personally like the flexibility that comes with flexible tubing (literally :)). Makes getting the filter out from underneath the tank easier for cleaning, and I do not have to put it back in the exact same spot to connect to a PVC pipe. Tubing is easy to remove & clean with a flexible brush if needed, whereas it might be harder to get it thru hard angles on the spot. Also: One piece of tubing, no connections, no leaks :thumbsup:

Personal preference.

HarleyK
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com