Sump and Plumbing for my 535. Need help
- Thread starter mrrobxc
- Start date
Alright guys. Time to order the plumbing for my intakes and outtakes.
I could use your opinion/advice. I currently have three 3” holes drillled into the back. Two of them are right next to each other just right of center. The other is also on the right side about a foot from the right corner. I plan to use the two holes just right of center as my overflows into my sump. The hole a foot from the right corner I plan to use as my intake that’ll go to my closed loop ultima. Since it’s closed loop, I plan to run this intake down to about 6” from the bottom so I can suck out detritus.
I plan to plumb my return from my closed loop ultima into a manifold system on the left far side the way
JK47
did on his 600. I believe he used three 3/4 returns.
I still haven’t decided how to plumb my returns from my sump. The sump will run on a laguna 2900.
Here are my questions.
- I’m planning on buying three bulkheads for each of my intakes. 1 for the closed loop, the other two for the sump. Since the holes are 3.5” in diameter. I’m thinking I should get bulkheads to support two inch piping. Please advise if this is correct.
- I can use your recommendations on what size hole I should drill for my closed loop return. It’ll be a manifold like Justin’s with three returns. What size should the holes be that I drill and how big of a bulkhead should I get.
- I’d like to have my sump returns as high up as possible. I’m wondering if I should drill two holes in the back just left of center for one, and the other on the far right corner. If so, should I go from the top lid part of the tank or should I drill into the back. Also, what size holes and what size bulkheads should I drill in? I want to make sure it’s enough to get the flow from the double 2” returns coupled with the 2900 laguna pump.
- what size piping should I run for the returns from the sump?
- what size piping should I run for the returns from the closed loop?
- I want to run the piping straight down and end with a ball valve and union joint. Once I have my tank on the stand, I plan to connect the rest of the piping to the union joints into the sump and the area where I plan to have the ultima and it’s corresponding pump. Please advise if I’m missing something here.
Please advise on the questions above as I’d like to place my order for the bulkheads for the three intakes and the bulkheads and piping for the returns; the 3-way manifold for the closed-loop, and the returns from my sump. I know it’s a ton of questions and you’ve all answered Si many for me so far. I get my stand delivered next weekend and I’d like to have the back of the tank plumbed up so that I can lift it once and place it in the stand. Given its weight and the busy schedules of my friends, it’ll be hard for me to get six guys to help out twice when it involves lifting this beast.
Below are some pics. The first is the back of the tank. The next two show what was the original bulkhead and pvc pipe. It came with 2” piping before I removed it.
I could use your opinion/advice. I currently have three 3” holes drillled into the back. Two of them are right next to each other just right of center. The other is also on the right side about a foot from the right corner. I plan to use the two holes just right of center as my overflows into my sump. The hole a foot from the right corner I plan to use as my intake that’ll go to my closed loop ultima. Since it’s closed loop, I plan to run this intake down to about 6” from the bottom so I can suck out detritus.
I plan to plumb my return from my closed loop ultima into a manifold system on the left far side the way
JK47
did on his 600. I believe he used three 3/4 returns.I still haven’t decided how to plumb my returns from my sump. The sump will run on a laguna 2900.
Here are my questions.
- I’m planning on buying three bulkheads for each of my intakes. 1 for the closed loop, the other two for the sump. Since the holes are 3.5” in diameter. I’m thinking I should get bulkheads to support two inch piping. Please advise if this is correct.
- I can use your recommendations on what size hole I should drill for my closed loop return. It’ll be a manifold like Justin’s with three returns. What size should the holes be that I drill and how big of a bulkhead should I get.
- I’d like to have my sump returns as high up as possible. I’m wondering if I should drill two holes in the back just left of center for one, and the other on the far right corner. If so, should I go from the top lid part of the tank or should I drill into the back. Also, what size holes and what size bulkheads should I drill in? I want to make sure it’s enough to get the flow from the double 2” returns coupled with the 2900 laguna pump.
- what size piping should I run for the returns from the sump?
- what size piping should I run for the returns from the closed loop?
- I want to run the piping straight down and end with a ball valve and union joint. Once I have my tank on the stand, I plan to connect the rest of the piping to the union joints into the sump and the area where I plan to have the ultima and it’s corresponding pump. Please advise if I’m missing something here.
Please advise on the questions above as I’d like to place my order for the bulkheads for the three intakes and the bulkheads and piping for the returns; the 3-way manifold for the closed-loop, and the returns from my sump. I know it’s a ton of questions and you’ve all answered Si many for me so far. I get my stand delivered next weekend and I’d like to have the back of the tank plumbed up so that I can lift it once and place it in the stand. Given its weight and the busy schedules of my friends, it’ll be hard for me to get six guys to help out twice when it involves lifting this beast.
Below are some pics. The first is the back of the tank. The next two show what was the original bulkhead and pvc pipe. It came with 2” piping before I removed it.
Lastly, here is what I have in my shipping cart(s).
So far from bulk reef supply, I have the following. Followed by the intake basket from Fosters and Smith.
From BFS, I have three 2” threaded bulkheads for each of my three intakes/overflows.
I also have black 2” PVC piping (schedule 40 if that means anything), that I’ll cut for my intake tube down near the bottom for my closed loop intake. I also have three of the ball valves. Not sure if these are the ones I should be getting.
Please let me know if I’m in the right direction so far.
I have to figure out if the above is correct so far. Next, I need to figure out:
- return pipe diameters for the two returns from the sump and their corresponding bulkhead sizes.
- return pipe diameter for my closed loop and what type of valves I should get and what size returns and bulkheads.
Once I know this, I’ll make an updated order. The rest of the piping...like straight PVC pipes and elbows I’ll pick up from the local hardware store. Just need to get the back of this thing plumbed so I can get it on the stand.
Thanks everyone!
So far from bulk reef supply, I have the following. Followed by the intake basket from Fosters and Smith.
From BFS, I have three 2” threaded bulkheads for each of my three intakes/overflows.
I also have black 2” PVC piping (schedule 40 if that means anything), that I’ll cut for my intake tube down near the bottom for my closed loop intake. I also have three of the ball valves. Not sure if these are the ones I should be getting.
Please let me know if I’m in the right direction so far.
I have to figure out if the above is correct so far. Next, I need to figure out:
- return pipe diameters for the two returns from the sump and their corresponding bulkhead sizes.
- return pipe diameter for my closed loop and what type of valves I should get and what size returns and bulkheads.
Once I know this, I’ll make an updated order. The rest of the piping...like straight PVC pipes and elbows I’ll pick up from the local hardware store. Just need to get the back of this thing plumbed so I can get it on the stand.
Thanks everyone!
A 3”-3.5” hole is perfect for 2” bulkhead fittings. You’re correct to use that.
I would get slip x slip for the closed loop portion though since you are getting black PVC. They don’t make threaded fittings in black. It’s tricky at best. The thread x thread is perfect for the overflows though. You’ll like those screens.
The inlet to your Reeflo is 2” so keep the 2” from intake all the way to pump. NO elbows to straight lines. It has to have downhill direction if you’re using an vertical intake like that. 45’s, flex or even hose will do. Save the spendy pvc for inside the tank.
The returns on your Reeflo are 1.5”. Use that all the way to your return if possible. Only step down size after a split if you can help it. For example if you have two planned, run 1.5” up to. 1.5” tee, stepped down to 1” or 3/4” to loc line or whatever return nossle you choose.
Make sure your two overflow bulkheads are the two with the closest match in height. Measure here or you will have uneven flow/drain level in power down.
I would get slip x slip for the closed loop portion though since you are getting black PVC. They don’t make threaded fittings in black. It’s tricky at best. The thread x thread is perfect for the overflows though. You’ll like those screens.
The inlet to your Reeflo is 2” so keep the 2” from intake all the way to pump. NO elbows to straight lines. It has to have downhill direction if you’re using an vertical intake like that. 45’s, flex or even hose will do. Save the spendy pvc for inside the tank.
The returns on your Reeflo are 1.5”. Use that all the way to your return if possible. Only step down size after a split if you can help it. For example if you have two planned, run 1.5” up to. 1.5” tee, stepped down to 1” or 3/4” to loc line or whatever return nossle you choose.
Make sure your two overflow bulkheads are the two with the closest match in height. Measure here or you will have uneven flow/drain level in power down.
Thank you. You are always so helpful. So when I plumb the ultima intake, just run it completely downhill with no 90 degree elbows to a straight horizontal pipe anywhere in the piping?
As for the bulkheads, none of the three holes currently in the tank are level. Super annoying. I was going to grab an internal overflow box for them to try to compensate for that hoping that the level top of the overflow box would help. On second thought. Maybe not. I still want the overflow box because the guy drilled them so low that the bottom of the holes are between 4-5 inches from the top.
What to do...
As for the bulkheads, none of the three holes currently in the tank are level. Super annoying. I was going to grab an internal overflow box for them to try to compensate for that hoping that the level top of the overflow box would help. On second thought. Maybe not. I still want the overflow box because the guy drilled them so low that the bottom of the holes are between 4-5 inches from the top.
What to do...
Taking a look at your pictures, I had a couple questions.
I noticed that on your intakes for the sump, you have a nut underneath the elbows at the top. What are those and what benefit do they add? I was wondering if I should put unions on as many things as possible since it’ll be hard for me to hack off piping once this thing is up and running given I’ll only have 10-12” of space behind the tank to work in.
Also, I see the flex PVC you are using for the intake piping for one of your Ultimas. Is the piping alone on the far end for the second Ultima? If so, is there a slight downward angle to the piping?
The elbow with the nut is actually a male thread x female slip adapter (I try to get to slip fittings as quickly as possible). I used thread x thread bulkheads and regret that. I have no leaks but can see most people struggling with this if they aren't really good at applying plumbers tape correctly the first time.
If you can get slip bulkheads and order the slip FIT low profile strainer vs the threaded, it will simplify your plumbing and mitigate potential leaks.
Otherwise you plan to stick with threaded fittings, use lots of plumbers tape so you don't have to pull it apart or fix a pinhole leak.
That particular flex PVC was to correct a mistake I made in angles. The long distance left to right that is sideways was what I was referring to. If I had any regret in this build it is that. I had to force it to have a downward incline after the fact which is far from ideal. If you can ensure you have either 1) shorter horizontal distances or 2) no horizontal lengths you will be in a better starting off point than I did.
Always use lots of unions wherever you can. Try to envision disassembling the setup and putting it back together. If you can, without cutting, you've mastered unions.
Thank you once again
JK47
!
I’m going to go with slip x slip bulkheads where I can and go with slip elbows to minimize issues with having to buy male thread x slip connectors and having more potential issues given my immaturity when it comes to plumbing.
I’m going to place union ball valves on the downpipes at the bottom of the tank like you did along with adding unions just underneath the elbows at the top of the downpipes right after the bulkheads. I’ll also do Union Ball Valves on the returns right as the piping redhead behind the tank on its way up to the top.
The under tank plumbing to the sump/ultima, and the plumbing from the filters back to the tank I’m going to worry about later. I was up all night trying to make sense of all this and want to break this down into chunks.
Lastly, I noticed you and
pacu mom
like to drill your returns from the sump into the ceiling of the tank as opposed to the back. Is that beneficial versus having the returns drilled to the back, high up, with the nozzles pointing to the top?
JK47
!I’m going to go with slip x slip bulkheads where I can and go with slip elbows to minimize issues with having to buy male thread x slip connectors and having more potential issues given my immaturity when it comes to plumbing.
I’m going to place union ball valves on the downpipes at the bottom of the tank like you did along with adding unions just underneath the elbows at the top of the downpipes right after the bulkheads. I’ll also do Union Ball Valves on the returns right as the piping redhead behind the tank on its way up to the top.
The under tank plumbing to the sump/ultima, and the plumbing from the filters back to the tank I’m going to worry about later. I was up all night trying to make sense of all this and want to break this down into chunks.
Lastly, I noticed you and
pacu mom
like to drill your returns from the sump into the ceiling of the tank as opposed to the back. Is that beneficial versus having the returns drilled to the back, high up, with the nozzles pointing to the top?