How's my plumbing? Help with a problem!

[bigsink]

Well, I am almost completed plumbing the sump for my 75 gallon reef tank. Please tell me what you think. I have one problem that I am trying to solve and would appreciate any input. My sump is a 30 long and has a Euro-Reef Rs135 on the left. The refugium will be on the right. The center is the return that is run by an eheim 1260. My problem is, how should I plumb the overflow with the 1" PVC into the skimmer chamber? I am still waiting to receive my filter socks. However, how should I position the overflow PVC in relation to the skimmer? The refugium will be supplied with about 100 gph from the Phosban reactor. All feedback is welcome. I am very new at this and just want to do things correctly. Thanks.

 

[bad coffee]

I'd tee off the return. most of it to the skimmer, the rest to the fuge section.

B

 

[Nsr250NYC]

John, tee it off like i told you. Looking real good btw.

 

[bigsink]

Thanks for the reply. How do you think I should position the skimmer? Where should I put the filter sock in this set-up? You do not think that 100 gph from the phosban is good enough for the refugium?

 

[bigsink]

Kenny, I know, I know!

 

[meschaefer]

I wouldn't feed the phosban reactor into the refugium. You want "dirty" water in the fuge if you plan on keeping any macro algae in there. "T" off the overflow, so that feeds the fuge.

 

[bigsink]

Thanks, the overflow has already been T'd! Will post pics when finished.

 

[PalmTree]

I agree with the T solution. I'd really like to see some pics of it when you're done.

 

[fritz]

WAIT!!!!
Just to save you from redoing this down the road plan ahead now!

1. Return pumps don't need room to breathe or wiggle. Your return section is much larger than your pump and need not be. Scoot your pump to the left against those baffles and you can make your refugium larger!

2. Your refugium is too small to be that effective but see #1.

3. Add that T as high as you can off that drain just in case you ever decide to do the recirc mod to your skimmer and gravity feed it. Also you may want to consider moving those baffles a little closer to the skimmer so that you can extend the size of your fuge even more.

 

[bigsink]

Well, here is the updated and completed plumbing work. The tank is currently full of fresh water to test for leaks. There are actually no leaks. PalmTree, here are the pics as requested. Fritz, I agree with your points, but this is the way I am going. The sump has been turned around since the original pictures. I am only having 1 issue. If you look at the pic with the filter sock, the water is backing up with water bubbling and running over. This acrylic holder and sock made for the Berlin System were a steal of an ebay purchase. Is it an approprite set-up? How can I stop or adjust this overflow of water in the filter sock? Also a lot of air seems to be coming out with the water into the sump. Are there any pointers that I should be looking for? Is there anything wrong in the overflow with the pipes perhaps? KathyC, I appreciate your feedback, but have not heard from you in days. All feedback would be appreciated.

 

[tomzpc]

Excellent job IMO. The only thing I see is that I would run the pipes down closer to the bottom of the refugium and skimmer chambers instead of near the surface. Very nice.

 

[fritz]

It's plumbed wrong. Rotate the T 90 degrees clockwise, place the ball much closer to the left output and hookup that output to the bottom of the T.

Run the middle output of the T to the right side where your filter sock is. If it's overflowing it is most likely due to a dirty sock. If it is known to not be a dirty sock then perhaps you're putting too much flow through it although my eheim 1262 was never able to push more water through the sock than it could handle so I doubt it.

The benefit of my suggestion is that your left output will be more or less bubble free and your right out put will be the surge+air side. This will also help your overflowing problem. It will also allow you to upgrade to a recirc skimmer (or mod your current one) without redoing your plumbing. Or continue to do it the way you are, either way

 

[bigsink]

I will give that a try I guess. What's another $10 in plumbing. Thanks for the input. Anybody else?

 

[KathyC]

Well, here is the updated and completed plumbing work. The tank is currently full of fresh water to test for leaks. There are actually no leaks. PalmTree, here are the pics as requested. Fritz, I agree with your points, but this is the way I am going. The sump has been turned around since the original pictures. I am only having 1 issue. If you look at the pic with the filter sock, the water is backing up with water bubbling and running over. This acrylic holder and sock made for the Berlin System were a steal of an ebay purchase. Is it an approprite set-up? How can I stop or adjust this overflow of water in the filter sock? Also a lot of air seems to be coming out with the water into the sump. Are there any pointers that I should be looking for? Is there anything wrong in the overflow with the pipes perhaps? KathyC, I appreciate your feedback, but have not heard from you in days. All feedback would be appreciated.

Hmmm, thought the boys were doing a great job giving you pointers John!! I totally agree with Fritz's suggestions!
My 2 cents..If, after you take the advice that Fritz offered and you are still overflowing the sock, try raising the sock a bit. You can do so by adding a wedge of something (just to raise it up an inch or so) under your acylic sock hanger without doing a major modification to it.
Get used to the air, seems to me there is always some air as the pvc returns never quite totally fill with water.

The one thing that stands out for me is that you are running your return pump wide open (judging from the position of the ball valves). What size pump is that (I'm not up on Ehiems sizewise...)? My concern would be that once you start getting a little crud in there and once your piping 'matures' a bit and there are deposits of whatever it is that forms in the pvc piping..and therefore your flows slows a little...you won't have any wiggle room to dial up the pump to maintain the flow you have now.

Looks great so far John! Good to see you over here..these guys & gals are the best when it comes to advice!!
Hope you don't forget all about your Malawi tanks after you get this one stocked!!

Knew I forgot something... you do NOT want to run that Phosban reactor at 100gph! Read the directions carefully that came with it and make sure that no more than the top 1/2 inch (max about 3/4") of phosban is 'boiling' inside the reactor or you will have an orange tank and corals that close up & don't reopen...

 

[junglebase]

Hey John, i think the set up looks great, however, i hope you can account for a space to put your skimmer in the skimmer compartment where the filter sock holder is. I know those holders are bulky cause i have one of those too. Just make sure you set up the skimmer and make the adjustments first before filling with saltwater.... just my .02....

 

[fritz]

I will give that a try I guess. What's another $10 in plumbing. Thanks for the input. Anybody else?

The $10 in plumbing is the fun in this hobby. For me it is anyway, I love trying new things and playing with what works and doesn't. Believe me, my suggestions were arrived at via lots of trial and error. What Kathy said is dead on, you should be able to raise the holder a bit. I have the same one and there's a thread on that back piece that allows you to create some tension that will hold it in place.

 

[bigsink]

Will the skimmer function properly in freshwater? What is the advantage of running before saltwater goes in? Will change the plumbing today and probably add the sand. Thanks for suggestions!

 

[junglebase]

Will the skimmer function properly in freshwater? What is the advantage of running before saltwater goes in? Will change the plumbing today and probably add the sand. Thanks for suggestions!

John, the skimmer will function but it wont pick up any gunk, i just mentioned that maybe you should try fitting the skimmer in there first before you add your saltwater, cause i didn't see a pic with the skimmer in its compartment.... and I want to make sure it fits where it is supposed to go...

 

[digitalreefer]

The $10 in plumbing is the fun in this hobby.

There is something satisfying about spending ONLY $10 on your tank, then tinkering for hours.

We're sick... no really we're all a little sick. :fish:

 

[bigsink]

Skimmer fits easily. I just have not run it yet. Baby is sick, so nothing is getting done today! Dang!