Starting my first DIY W/D, suggestions needed and welcome

Dr Joe

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Dead fish or inquisitive (ie stuck) fish clog up (or slow down) a system fast.

I wouldn't be concerned so much if the overflows were large (1.5") then they could flow whatever was pumped into the tank even with partial clogs (at these flow rates young, sick or dead fish can get stuck to the screens).

The 'J' tubes will overflow back and forth to balance the tank water level.

Normally I would recommend regular overflows http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101156 but your tanks are already drilled so we try it this way (difficult to redrill larger) with the 'J' pipe work-a-round.

Hope that helps.

Dr Joe

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Frostyone

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Thanks, I'll do the "J" tubes just to be on the safe side, what size PVC should they be made from?

Also the overflows have large strainers on them (I think you can see them in the pics of the tanks, if not I'll post some closeup photo's of them when I get home from work tonight).
 

Dr Joe

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"(a cheap way out would be to inter-connect them with syphon tubes (inverted 'J' pipes between tanks (2" PVC)."

Yah, I saw the strainer, they're the better style, I have had dead fish and young lay on these strainers and slow the flow down considerably (the more that get stuck the more suction created).

Dr Joe

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Frostyone

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So I stopped in at Home Depot the other night to look at fittings and see what was available to make this work. Well much to my dismay seems like most of the PVC stuff only reduces .25", ( I have to go from .75" to 2" before it gets to the W/D, so I just came up with a final design and parts list for the intake portion of the plumbing. Just wanted to share it and get some opinions on the design before I go spend the $. Please let me know what you think.

Please click to enlarge

Intake plumbing detail copy.jpg

Intake parts list_fittings.jpg
 

jcardona1

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man! the only comment i have is regarding the ball valves. where are those prices from?!?!?! $26 for a 1.5" ball valve?!?!?!?!? :eek: i hope thats not what youre paying
 

Frostyone

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jcardona1;2190235; said:
man! the only comment i have is regarding the ball valves. where are those prices from?!?!?! $26 for a 1.5" ball valve?!?!?!?!? :eek: i hope thats not what youre paying
No, I'll get everything at HD or Lowes, I was just using that site as a visual reference and to see what fittings are actually available to make this work.
 

Dr Joe

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Looking good. If you put the ball valve up higher you can use a smaller / cheaper one :D. Just put the reducers on each side of it.

Dr Joe

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Frostyone

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Dr Joe;2191426; said:
Looking good. If you put the ball valve up higher you can use a smaller / cheaper one :D. Just put the reducers on each side of it.

Dr Joe

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That's exactly what I was thinking :D


Update time:

Sealed hole in bottom of donor tank
Cutout bottom of tray #6
Built bio-chamber with eggcrate
Installed bio-chamber in tray #6

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Frostyone

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Here's tray #1 (Filter floss tray)
2nd tray will be the same (need more eggcrate)
3rd tray will be drilled and used as drip tray
I used scrap pieces of eggcrate zip tied together to make the bottom of this tray.

Thanks for the idea JC!

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