Aqurium plumbing questions with diagram

[oldenred]

You might need to cut and paste this to you desktop to enlarge it enough to readThis is my tank and the plumbing that I plan on using. I am wanting some of you plumbing gurus to help me with this and point out any thing that I may want to add or do differently. I plan on using a pump that pumps around 1200-1600 g.p.h. to get about a 15x turn over ratio. I have oversized the sump and protein skimmer because I do plan to upgrade to a larger tank in the future.

 

[acrylic51]

Did take a peak at the picture, and the first thing I'd recommend is taking the check valve out of the return line from the pump.....In all honestly they do nothing more than cut flow (to a degree) and provide a false sense of security against back siphoning........They do fail at some point, so really not worth the money, when you can accomplish the same thing with other cheaper methods......
As far as your drain lines coming from the tank to the sump.....Ditch the valves again.....You don't need them there, and if your intentions are to throttle things down your opening yourself up for disaster....That plumbing design isn't designed correctly to throttle them that way without a emergency backup......
As far as skimmer placement and return pump placement, I'd opt to move the skimmer into the compartment where the return lines drop down into the sump. You could/might have issues with the skimmer putting off micro bubbles and in turn they would probably be sucked up by the return pump and shot into the tank.
Another issue is your going about your flow theory IMHO wrong with trying to get 15x turnover rate through your return pump....There are several theories on flow rate through the sump......Most will say or suggest 3x-5x turnover rate of the system through the sump......Your other flow (turnover rate) is achieved actually inside the display tank by various means......

 

[snakeblitz33]

Add one more drain line and use a beananimal overflow. It's dead silent in its operation.
You don't really want 15x turnover going through your sump. 5-10x max. Most flow in the tank should be accomplished by powerheads or closed loops in the display tank itself. If you have the money, look at ecotech vortech mp40s.

 

[oldenred]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/391598/aqurium-plumbing-questions-with-diagram#post_3473789
Add one more drain line and use a beananimal overflow. It's dead silent in its operation.
You don't really want 15x turnover going through your sump. 5-10x max. Most flow in the tank should be accomplished by powerheads or closed loops in the display tank itself. If you have the money, look at ecotech vortech mp40s.
Ok, i'll go ahead and adjust it the flow rate from the sump down to around 500 g.p.h., as for those ecotech they are out of my price range for right now. Still getting everything for the tank. I did however get one of those protein skimmers from scaquariums you were talking about. I'll take everything else under advisement and ponder on it. Thanks

 

[acrylic51]

A question overlooked or what you didn't mention was what is the size of the sump......Again there isn't anything set in stone as far as flow rate, but size of the sump will dictate somewhat; what you could feasible push through the sump.

 

[oldenred]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/391598/aqurium-plumbing-questions-with-diagram#post_3473805
A question overlooked or what you didn't mention was what is the size of the sump......Again there isn't anything set in stone as far as flow rate, but size of the sump will dictate somewhat; what you could feasible push through the sump.
I know the diagram is hard to read unless you blow it up on your desktop but it is in the diagram. But the sump is 36" x 18 7/8" x 13 3/4"

Aqueon Modular ProFlex Sump Filtration Model #4

 

[acrylic51]

Honesty I think you could push a good flow through there.....Will need to really look at the sump though......

 

[beaslbob]

Properly designed and adjusted there is no need for valves in the return or drain lines. I have used valves to help with initial setup but once running and adjusted no valves on the return or drain lines.
my .02

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by beaslbob http:///t/391598/aqurium-plumbing-questions-with-diagram#post_3474709
Properly designed and adjusted there is no need for valves in the return or drain lines. I have used valves to help with initial setup but once running and adjusted no valves on the return or drain lines.
my .02
Agree to a degree, but find it all but impossible....There has to be valves somewhere to isolate equipment that is pulled for servicing.....Hmmmm pump connection from sump to pump.....

You do make a valid point though.....but a lot depends on how a system is designed.

 

[scsinet]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/391598/aqurium-plumbing-questions-with-diagram#post_3473787
Another issue is your going about your flow theory IMHO wrong with trying to get 15x turnover rate through your return pump....There are several theories on flow rate through the sump......Most will say or suggest 3x-5x turnover rate of the system through the sump......Your other flow (turnover rate) is achieved actually inside the display tank by various means......
Ahhh... glad to see someone is looking after things now that I'm not around so often! Truer words have never been spoken.

 

[acrylic51]

Hey.......I haven't seen you in ages, where have you been hiding!!!!!!!

 

[scsinet]

I've gotten enormously busy with work and life. I want to try to get back on here some more, hopefully I'll be able to make good on that!

 

[beaslbob]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/391598/aqurium-plumbing-questions-with-diagram#post_3474798
Agree to a degree, but find it all but impossible....There has to be valves somewhere to isolate equipment that is pulled for servicing.....Hmmmm pump connection from sump to pump.....

You do make a valid point though.....but a lot depends on how a system is designed.
Agreed.
My point is valves are not needed to adjust normal operation. the system should be designed and tested so no floods occur with no vavles being adjusted to regulate water flow.