How do I plumb this thing?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Diogenes said:
could I drill holes in the bottom of this frame (it's 11x14 the total space to fill is 12x14) and just let water cascade off the last inch?

http://www.adorama.com/FR21215.html
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Wrong type of frame. This is what you are looking for: http://www.photofactory.biz/picture-frames/box-frame/acrylic-box-frame.html It is like a box with five sides, four sides that come up about an inch. I agree it might be a little thin but should work very nicely cemented on top of another piece of acrylic. You will want to alter the frame a bit by cutting down one of the 4 sides, directing any water into the sump in case all your holes get plugged (That 1 inch size difference will work perfectly for this).

Edit: I would purchase a frame only big enough to cover the bio ball section of the filter... then cut a second piece of Plexi to cover the other chamber of the filter.

Edit2: When drilling the holes make sure the picture frame / plexi is sitting on top of a flat piece of wood. This will support the plexi as the drill bit is going through and keep it from cracking the plexi. You will end up with a bunch of little holes in the supporting wood (Grandmas antique kitchen table is prob not a good choice) but you will have a nice drip tray. At ~$7 for the frames above... buy an extra just in case.
 
Diogenes said:
So if I mount both drain pipes doesn't that leave me without a place for the return? Won't the return come through the second hole?
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Just like Rudy said, return pipe goes over the top edge of the tank... but make sure to add an anti-siphon hole right below the water line on the return pipe. Just a small hole that prevents a siphon from forming and siphoning tank water back into the sump in case of a power outage.
 
Diogenes said:
what kind of pipe should I use for the return? hard pvc or flex?
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I prefer the black flexible anti-kink pond tubing myself. I like the looks (No algae) and it is easy to work with. I use a couple of PVC elbows to form the U that goes over the edge of the tank. Look for "Street Elbows" at Lowes... they allow the two elbows to be closer together if needed.


edit: either Lowes or HD sells the Black anti Kink pond tubing, I forget which... maybe both... in their pond section.
 
ruddybop said:
4. It looks like they had an external pump for that sump so they would have room for other stuff. You could run either external or internal. If internal you would have to block the hole on the side of the sump.
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I would consider using an internal pump AND piping the output of the pump through the bulkhead instead of blocking the bulkhead off... just a thought.
 
I'd like to add quick connect union ball valves somewhere in the drainage plumbing. Where would you guys suggest I do that? Is that something that can be plumbed directly to the bottom of the bulkhead fittings?
 
I would consider using an internal pump AND piping the output of the pump through the bulkhead instead of blocking the bulkhead off. ( I like this better Ouchtsix good idea)

This is just how I would do the bulkheads off the aquarium bottom but No kink tubing like Oughtsix said would work also.

If I missed anything let me know... :) And you can locate ball valves anyplace you want....

Durso Tank2.JPG
 
Diogenes said:
can I use this drain hose?

http://compare.ebay.com/like/300394202574?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y

Am I looking for a specific size of hose or is it just whatever fits the end of my bulkhead? Also, this might be a crazy question but how do i actually attach the drain hose to the bulkhead? Is there some sort of adhesive that I use or do I just slip it on?
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That is almost identical to the drain hose that came with my sump. It has been working fine for me... but the ribs add a lot of friction so it is not so great for a return hose application. The previous owner of my sump used a bit of silicone sealer and a hose clamp to secure the hose to the outside of a (I think) 1" elbow. For general plumbing I really like the black no-kink pond tubing... the spirals are on the outside of the tubing leaving a relatively smooth surface on the inside (not a factor for a drain hose).

The ball valves Ruddy is showing in his diagram are a MUST!!!!

Unions are always a good idea! Union ball valves are great if you have a space constraint. If you have plenty of space you can go for separate Unions and Ball valves. The diameter of a Union is pretty big and will dictate where they can be used. If you are ordering online look for some low profile unions.

Edit: My drain hose is at least 1.25" ID, possibly 1.5" ID. The one in your link is only 1" ID... kind of small.
 
went to lowes and the LFS in annandale. I got some acrylic cut and it looks like once I drill holes it will work. I need on of those blades for scoring so i can take the scrap acrylic and make a patch for the holes on the side. What kind of adhesive should I use? acrylic on acrylic.

I also found some non-kink hose. I took my bulkheads for reference and the bigger one slipped loosely into 1.5 inch tube, the smaller was .75 inch. Does that sound about right? Will a hose clamp tighten that down considerably? I didn't buy the hose because I dont need 60$ worth of hose and marine depot sells it by the foot. I figured I was just order like 3 ft or so of each size, some hose clamps, and any other plumbing you guys recommend from them What kind of hose is good for a return pipe? more no kink?

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