Have Pity on a Newbie To Plumbing....

mimzy

mimzy

Active Member
Hi all... getting my first non-nano sized tank tommorrow, and I am TRYING to learn how on earth to plumb the thing, but as I read the threads here I'm just becoming more confused.
Here's my story; the new tank is a 48gallon flat back hex that's coming with a stand.
I currently have an acrylic 12 gallon with 2 ocellaris and a couple softies, plus a bunch of inverts.
My idea was to keep the 48 a FOWLR - as I'm planning on keeping a P. Radiata as the only inhab. - and to use the 12 gallon as my sump/fuge.
...after this, I really don't know where to go next!
I think I'll need an overflow box... and I know I'll need a skimmer and possibly a cannister filter..... But how to plumb them all together is just...magic, to me.

Do you think I could get away with just having a HOB skimmer, HOB filter, and HOB fuge...so I don't have to plumb stuff? :notsure:
I just don't know.... ANY assistance would be GREATLY appreciated!!! :help:
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
Well...You could do the HOB stuff if "YOU" don't mind all the clutter haning off the sides and back...:thinking:
 
space_geek

space_geek

Active Member
Originally Posted by Mimzy
Hi all... getting my first non-nano sized tank tommorrow, and I am TRYING to learn how on earth to plumb the thing, but as I read the threads here I'm just becoming more confused.
Here's my story; the new tank is a 48gallon flat back hex that's coming with a stand.
I currently have an acrylic 12 gallon with 2 ocellaris and a couple softies, plus a bunch of inverts.
My idea was to keep the 48 a FOWLR - as I'm planning on keeping a P. Radiata as the only inhab. - and to use the 12 gallon as my sump/fuge.
...after this, I really don't know where to go next!
I think I'll need an overflow box... and I know I'll need a skimmer and possibly a cannister filter..... But how to plumb them all together is just...magic, to me.

Do you think I could get away with just having a HOB skimmer, HOB filter, and HOB fuge...so I don't have to plumb stuff? :notsure:
I just don't know.... ANY assistance would be GREATLY appreciated!!! :help:
I can't wait to see this 48g! By the way, you can have a few more fish in that tank than just the radiata? A dwarf angel and a lawnmower blenny might be nice to throw in there with Mr.Ouchy, wouchy, cutie wootie, itty bitty, fluffy face lion! *ahem* sorry everyone! How was that Mimzy? Yes, your tank can do just as well with HOB equipment. In fact, you could get away with a HOB skimmer and HOB fuge and be all set! Its called natural filtration..well you'd need LR and LS as well, but thats kind of obvious. If you do decide to plumb, buy tubing. When its dirty, you can tell and u can take a brush and clean it...PVC is another story. If you DO decide to do plumbing, let me know, and I will try to help. If I were you, I would just do HOB everything though.
 
mimzy

mimzy

Active Member
well Squidd, I kinda DO mind all that mess... I mean...that's what the stand is for, right? To hide all the useful stuff! LoL.
Thank you very much, btw, for replying...
I'dreally like to use my 12 gallon as a sump/fuge - for the obvious benefits of having such things....so I suppose i'm going to have to break down and plumb.
So...if I understand correctly, the overflow box sits on the back of the tank, and half of it it submerged, and the other compartment is outside over the back... there is a U tube connecting the front and back compartments...and this is where I get confused...why do we need a u tube?
also... can't we just connect the pipes that go to and from the fuge/sump directly into the back of the aquarium itself? Why do we need an overflow box?
 
mimzy

mimzy

Active Member
oh wait...Space...u beat me to it... u mean I wouldnt have to get a filter other than the skimmer and the fuge? .... that I could deal with.....
 
space_geek

space_geek

Active Member
Originally Posted by Mimzy
well Squidd, I kinda DO mind all that mess... I mean...that's what the stand is for, right? To hide all the useful stuff! LoL.
Thank you very much, btw, for replying...
I'dreally like to use my 12 gallon as a sump/fuge - for the obvious benefits of having such things....so I suppose i'm going to have to break down and plumb.
So...if I understand correctly, the overflow box sits on the back of the tank, and half of it it submerged, and the other compartment is outside over the back... there is a U tube connecting the front and back compartments...and this is where I get confused...why do we need a u tube?
also... can't we just connect the pipes that go to and from the fuge/sump directly into the back of the aquarium itself? Why do we need an overflow box?
Yes, you are correct on the overflow box. You need a U-tube to get water from the overflow to the drain hose to the sump/fuge, or canister filter or whatever. And I am not exactly sure on the last question...you'll have to wait for Squidd.
 
J

jcrim

Guest
You need an overflow box if the tank isn't already drilled. The overflow is like 2 boxes... one sits in the display, just under the water level so water flows into it and the other hangs on the back of the tank. The U-tube connects the two boxes. Water is gravity syphoned through the u-tube into the back box. The back box is connected with flexible tubing to run to the sump. In the sump, you have a return pump connected to a tube to shoot the water back into the tank.
That's a quick explanation mimzy wimzy from j-crimzy. :joy:
 
space_geek

space_geek

Active Member
Originally Posted by Mimzy
oh wait...Space...u beat me to it... u mean I wouldnt have to get a filter other than the skimmer and the fuge? .... that I could deal with.....
No filter. Just skimmer, fuge, LS, and LR. Its what I do on my tank, and everything that should be zero is! I do have an Aquaclear 200 on hand though that I run once a month with carbon, because I dont use RO water, so my water turns slightly green. But the carbon takes care of it!
 
mimzy

mimzy

Active Member
ooooooooh....ok... lightbulb....
THANK you Crimzy-whimzy!!!
So these overflow boxes... you can buy them pre-made to fit on your tank? Do they come with u-tubes?
And the tubes that go to/from the fuge/sump.....how does one connect them to the overflow and fuge/sump...do u need an overflowbox on the fuge/sump as well, or can u put the tubes directly in the water? And if you DO put them directly in the water, wouldn't this cause a lot of turbulence and jostle your macroalgae/sand around a lot?
 
space_geek

space_geek

Active Member
So what are ya thinking ya wanna do Mimzy? HOB stuff, or plumbing? Just wondering...either will work, just curious.
 
space_geek

space_geek

Active Member
Originally Posted by puffer24/7
mimzy i have to say u are very cute for a vet tech, i had to get that off my chest
So are you saying that vet techs can't be cute or something? Anyway, I dont want to ruin a thread. Continue.
 
J

jcrim

Guest
Originally Posted by Mimzy
ooooooooh....ok... lightbulb....
THANK you Crimzy-whimzy!!!
So these overflow boxes... you can buy them pre-made to fit on your tank? Do they come with u-tubes?
And the tubes that go to/from the fuge/sump.....how does one connect them to the overflow and fuge/sump...do u need an overflowbox on the fuge/sump as well, or can u put the tubes directly in the water? And if you DO put them directly in the water, wouldn't this cause a lot of turbulence and jostle your macroalgae/sand around a lot?
No problemo...

The overflow should come with the flexible tubing, connections, u-tube and both boxes. It will hang on the back of your tank so the only way it won't fit is if you don't have enough room between the wall and your tank. Most fuges have a baffle, which is basically a glass wall to separate your macro and sand from your return pump. If you don't put in a baffle, then you would have to place the return pump in a spot where it's not going to suck up too much sand and algae. The tube connects directly to the return pump, which is in the sump. It's much easier to just add some type of separator... glass or acrylic can be installed with some epoxy I think.
It's not as tough as it may sound when you get the equipment and can visualize everything.
 
mimzy

mimzy

Active Member
Space, I think what I'm gonna do is try to learn as much about the plumbing thing as possible, and then make the decision to HOB or not to HOB once I've priced everything out, seen the tank in person, and figured out where it's going to go in the new place.
HOBing sounds a lot easier, but I dont know if it's going to be BETTER for my tank or my space constraints. ....lots to think about now.... Thanx for your help, by the way! :joy:
 
puffer24/7

puffer24/7

Active Member
Originally Posted by Space_Geek
So are you saying that vet techs can't be cute or something? Anyway, I dont want to ruin a thread. Continue.
no not at all adam, she is the hottest i have ever seen and ive seen a few being in florida and all, uf one of the best vet schools in the nation
 
space_geek

space_geek

Active Member
Originally Posted by Mimzy
Space, I think what I'm gonna do is try to learn as much about the plumbing thing as possible, and then make the decision to HOB or not to HOB once I've priced everything out, seen the tank in person, and figured out where it's going to go in the new place.
HOBing sounds a lot easier, but I dont know if it's going to be BETTER for my tank or my space constraints. ....lots to think about now.... Thanx for your help, by the way! :joy:
Sounds like a plan Mimz! Looks like Jcrim has got ya under his wing for the whole plumbing deal so I would pretty much talk to him. If you decide to do HOB, and you have questions, let me know. (not that you will, HOB is pretty straightforward) Let me know what you decide on! And no problem, if I can help ya out in any way, just let me know!
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
"U" tube type HOB overflows have an inner and outer "box" that the U tube transfers water to ...then in the outer box a bulkhead sends water down to sump...
 
J

jcrim

Guest
Mim... mind if I call you mim... cool, anyway, a sump will give you a better place to hide your heater, pump and other crap. Once you get it set up, you'll be happier. The only things visible in the tank will be the overflow and the return piece.
BTW, when did swf.com become a singles bar???
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top