Need ideas on plumbing tank from basement ot the floor above

[rdefino]

I'm going to getting a 150gal tank to replace my 75gal. Now I will be keeping the tank on one floor and the filtration/sump/skimmer in the basement below the tank. I've been told to use a big pump to push the water up to the tank.

I will be using a sump with a ocean clear filter and some skimmer. What's the best way to set it up?

What special connections should I use and where? Maybe like something to keep the water from the tank overflowing the sump in the basement if there is a power outage. I will be using overflows int he tank.

Thanks for any thoughts

 

[rdefino]

bump...anyone

 

[rallysman]

I would install a check valve on the return line and just take the height the water has to be pushed into consideration when getting a pump. Other than that there really is nothing different. You'll have to make sure that the sump will handle the amount of water that will drain out of the pipes and overflows in case a power failure does occur. I would also use as few 90 degree fittings as possible to make it flow better.

Other than that it's the usual. Use Unions and valves wherever you may need to remove something....thing of that nature. The most important thing is to post pictures though!

 

[rdefino]

Thanks for the reply.

One thing. What does "just take the height the water has to be pushed into consideration when getting a pump." mean.

 

[rallysman]

When you're buying a pump, it's rated in GPH which decreases as the "head" (height it has to move the water) increases. Because you'll be moving water higher you'll have to compensate for that with a larger pump.

 

[rdefino]

aaah, that's what I thought.

One thing does bug me. With the tank sitting above the sump. How do I/anyone keep the water that is flowing down into the sump from overflowing the sump.

My though is that the sump would just over flow from the tank above. I know that the pump is pumping water up to the tank, but what controls it from overflowing the sump?

thanks again

 

[rallysman]

aaah, that's what I thought.

One thing does bug me. With the tank sitting above the sump. How do I/anyone keep the water that is flowing down into the sump from overflowing the sump.

My though is that the sump would just over flow from the tank above. I know that the pump is pumping water up to the tank, but what controls it from overflowing the sump?

thanks again

Total system volume will keep it from overflowing the sump. The only reason your sump will overflow is if you lose power and it siphons from somewhere in the tank. (unless the sump is simply too small)

The overflow on the tank is literally an overflow. it will only flow (into the sump) what the pump returns into the tank.

the water leaving the tank equals the water that is displaced by what the pump puts back in the tank.

 

[fish head )'>]

The only real down side to this set up is having to buy an expensive pump that can handle pumping water to that height (and at a good volume at that height).
That stopped me from doing that on my setup. I had one at the place I worked in the middle of the showroom, for the owner, money was not an issue. It was very cool because he had all the filters easily accessible in the basement and it was totally silent at the fish tank--- even though it was a huge tank.

 

[Volenti]

aaah, that's what I thought.

One thing does bug me. With the tank sitting above the sump. How do I/anyone keep the water that is flowing down into the sump from overflowing the sump.

My though is that the sump would just over flow from the tank above. I know that the pump is pumping water up to the tank, but what controls it from overflowing the sump?

thanks again

Think of the overflow on a rain water tank, nothing comes out of it untill the water level in the tank reaches a certain level (full), the overflow in an aquarium works the same way.

The overflow (including syphon based overflows if they are designed properly) will maintain the water level in the tank within a certain range. If the return pump stops the water level in the tank will drop 1/2''-1'' or so (depending on overflow design, ect), the sump will need to have spare space to accomodate this, but that's all.

Check out the Iwaki RZ range of external pumps, specifically designed for high pressure (high head) applications (I use a MD-20RZ on my tank/sump)

 

[rdefino]

I get it now. Thanks

I'm looking at getting a 150-180gal tank and using the Model --Megaflow sump filter.

Also I would like to use my Oceanclear canister filter to keep the water clear.

What other ideas or thoughts would you guys have of how to set this up with a heater, power heads, connections from the tank to the sumps. any tricks/ideas at all.

thanks for the help so far.