Need advice setting up a filtration system

[trish&dave]

I have not started it yet. Still waiting on the Loc-Line fittings and still trying to figure out how to get the left side (if you are looking at the tank) to connect to my "y" fitting on the right. Just not enough room. The shelf is a little too high, so I am either going to lower it or just take the plumbing to the floor. I still have to place a disconnect on the pvc for maintenance, so there is not enough room.
I don't think I am going to have enough flow from my overflows to power the dart anyway, so the additional head loss should not hurt. A few questions remain:
-Can I paint the PVC that is going into the tank? (I know it will eventually be covered with coraline, but would prefer to have it black).
-Does anyone have any suggestions on making it easier to dry fit all the plumbing? They are really tough to get together and apart, so I imagine there is something you can put on it to lubricate the pvc w/o hurting anything.
-Do you think the 1/4" holes in the overflow are big enough? Don't want the critters getting stuck either!
-Is there anything I can do to keep waste from getting to the dart, or will I just have to keep up with maintenance?
The refugium and clean up crew are being shipped today. The loc-line parts should be in tomorrow. I will be getting it all fitted together and will probably get it fired up on the 4th! Thanks again for all the help!

 

[stdreb27]

-Can I paint the PVC that is going into the tank? (I know it will eventually be covered with coraline, but would prefer to have it black).
I don't know of any aquarium safe paint.
-Does anyone have any suggestions on making it easier to dry fit all the plumbing? They are really tough to get together and apart, so I imagine there is something you can put on it to lubricate the pvc w/o hurting anything.
With the amount of pressure on the plumbing i'm going to imagine that you are going to want to glue the plumbing.
-Do you think the 1/4" holes in the overflow are big enough? Don't want the critters getting stuck either!
If nothing else get a large piece of foam core and place it over the overflow.

 

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by trish&dave
http:///forum/post/2669933
-Can I paint the PVC that is going into the tank? (I know it will eventually be covered with coraline, but would prefer to have it black).
I don't know of any aquarium safe paint.
-Does anyone have any suggestions on making it easier to dry fit all the plumbing? They are really tough to get together and apart, so I imagine there is something you can put on it to lubricate the pvc w/o hurting anything.
With the amount of pressure on the plumbing i'm going to imagine that you are going to want to glue the plumbing.
-Do you think the 1/4" holes in the overflow are big enough? Don't want the critters getting stuck either!
If nothing else get a large piece of foam core and place it over the overflow.
Thanks for the response, I will definitely be gluing the plumbing, we are just dry fitting it first and the plumbing gets jammed in to make sure it is the right length and is hard to get out. I was just wondering if there is a little "plumbing trick" to make it easier to put together and take apart before the final glue.
That is what I figured with the paint, but thought I would ask.
What is foam core?

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/2669981
Thanks for the response, I will definitely be gluing the plumbing, we are just dry fitting it first and the plumbing gets jammed in to make sure it is the right length and is hard to get out. I was just wondering if there is a little "plumbing trick" to make it easier to put together and take apart before the final glue.
That is what I figured with the paint, but thought I would ask.
What is foam core?
They sell aquarium safe foam in blocks. I'd cut some to fit over your tubing with holes in it.. I'd also instead of the holey pvc pipe (which I think is going to be inefficient.) Or along with the pipe on the end, but something like what is on the end of a canister filter. To help intake water. (the fitting pictured won't work it only will handled 3/4 inch OD pipe. But I've found 1 inch fittings that work as a grating to intake water. Then stick some foam over that. (that way you have some mechanical filtration too. Just take it off periodically and rinse it)

 

[trish&dave]

Where is the best place to finde something like that to fit a 1 1/2 pvc? Not sure why I did not think of that, guess I was just going off someone elses example! That is an excellent idea though! Especially with it behind the rocks where detris will flow and be sucked up! Thanks!

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by trish&dave
http:///forum/post/2670022
Where is the best place to finde something like that to fit a 1 1/2 pvc? Not sure why I did not think of that, guess I was just going off someone elses example! That is an excellent idea though! Especially with it behind the rocks where detris will flow and be sucked up! Thanks!
Mom and pop hardware store is probably your best bet. I got mine at the lfs when they were installing new tanks picked up a couple they used.

 

[joncat24]

sorry to butt in, but you can use Krylon fusion spray paint on the pvc. I have used it several times before and it is safe for your tank.

 

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by joncat24
http:///forum/post/2670051
sorry to butt in, but you can use Krylon fusion spray paint on the pvc. I have used it several times before and it is safe for your tank.
You are not butting in! That is why I posted, to get suggestions! Can it be used in the water? Please, to any who read, I will not take offense to any suggestions, ideas, etc. That is why I am here, to make sure I do this right!

 

[veni vidi vici]

Originally Posted by joncat24
http:///forum/post/2670051
sorry to butt in, but you can use Krylon fusion spray paint on the pvc. I have used it several times before and it is safe for your tank.
+1
Ive read on another big site ,a lot of people using this paint with no ill effects.

 

[stdreb27]

Interesting.

 

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
http:///forum/post/2668978
I fit my CL manifold on top to fit in tight.My plan for support is to take 2" pipe and cut it like spacers to wrap around the 1-1/2" side outlet 90s and Tees to for support.
Not picturing this. I have a feeling this is going to be a problem trying to support the CL. I have to worry about the two built in overflows and the canopy (where the door opens and closes there is an extra piece of 3/4" wood on the inside). The tank is ~47" on the inside, so to be safe I made the CL 45". Depth is 20" to compensate for the built in.
I was thinking of using a few pieces of enamel painted wood as supports on each corner (black or white?). Any other thoughts, suggestions?

 

[veni vidi vici]

Originally Posted by trish&dave
http:///forum/post/2670793
Not picturing this. I have a feeling this is going to be a problem trying to support the CL. I have to worry about the two built in overflows and the canopy (where the door opens and closes there is an extra piece of 3/4" wood on the inside). The tank is ~47" on the inside, so to be safe I made the CL 45". Depth is 20" to compensate for the built in.
I was thinking of using a few pieces of enamel painted wood as supports on each corner (black or white?). Any other thoughts, suggestions?
Ill post pics when i have it installed.

 

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
http:///forum/post/2671124
Ill post pics when i have it installed.
Horry up would you!!!!

I see you moved your tank, looking forward to seeing your set up! Are you planning on doing it this weekend?
Well everything is supposed to be in today, the loc-lines, critters, and our refugium. I think I have decided to just take the plumbing to the floor. I purchased my union and another ball valve and for the input side of the pump, there just is not enough room. I am not too worried, I do not think the two 1 1/2" overflows will provide adequate flow for the dart, so head loss really is not much of a concern, especially only 4'.
I was looking online and I could not find anything I could use as filtration for the overflows. Does anyone else have any thoughts on the efficiency of the holes in the pipe vs. have it open ended with a fitting like stdreb mentioned. Any DIY tricks for building something like that. Nothing online had the dimensions of the inside of the foam blocks or the fitting mentioned (that I could find).
Getting close, looking at firing it up this weekend!

I will be starting a refugium thread with other questions, so please take a look! Thanks!

 

[trish&dave]

Just to update, here are the pictures of the loc-lines attached to the CL and some of the plumbing I have added during the dry run. I would love to have any comments on the efficiency of the overflow pictured above. I promise I will not be offended by ANY comments!!!! Please, anyone who reads that has experience with this, please provide comments. I do not want to do this and then have to fix something that could have been prevented. Thanks!

 

[veni vidi vici]

Looks great!I was told 6 or more 3/4" outlets coming off 1-1/2" pipe should be plenty.You may beat me to firing up the Dart,i have one more coat of epoxy and sand to add to my main foam /rock background piece before i can put on the manifold.I do however have trashcans of saltwater all over the house on stand by to fill the tank lol.

 

[joncat24]

Looking pretty good.
I dont think you need any sponges inside the pipes. What I have done in the past is cut a hole in an aquaclear sponge and put it on the ends of the overflow pipes. Or you can just run them into a filter sock. The sponges tend to collect alot of stuff, and can be somewhat of a nitrate trap.

 

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
http:///forum/post/2672699
Looks great!I was told 6 or more 3/4" outlets coming off 1-1/2" pipe should be plenty.You may beat me to firing up the Dart,i have one more coat of epoxy and sand to add to my main foam /rock background piece before i can put on the manifold.I do however have trashcans of saltwater all over the house on stand by to fill the tank lol.
The trash can thing sounds familiar! We had several ourselves, purchased just for the fill! I am going to finish up cutting the final pvc pieces tonight and glue it tomorrow. I have to do it all at once because I have to shut down our W/D and move the current set up. I have to be ready with the refugium as well. So much to do!
My project after that is building the canopy lights. That makes me nervous!

 

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by joncat24
http:///forum/post/2672722
Looking pretty good.
I dont think you need any sponges inside the pipes. What I have done in the past is cut a hole in an aquaclear sponge and put it on the ends of the overflow pipes. Or you can just run them into a filter sock. The sponges tend to collect alot of stuff, and can be somewhat of a nitrate trap.
So would you ditch the holes in the pipe and just run the PVC without a cap and add an aquaclear sponge? Or would you attach a filter sock to the pvc and run with the holes?

 

[natclanwy]

Been out of town for few days but looks like you have a good plan

You can use a lubricant to dry fit your fittings such as "Duck butter" (water soluble plumbing lubricant) or even "Pam" just be sure you clean all of your fittings well before you glue them together.
The holes will work fine just be sure you have enough holes to provide enough flow to the pump you can also use a saw to cut horizontal slots in the pvc instead of drilling holes. Google suction screens and you will find some 1.5" intake screens at the depot that may work better.

 

[joncat24]

Originally Posted by trish&dave
http:///forum/post/2672942
So would you ditch the holes in the pipe and just run the PVC without a cap and add an aquaclear sponge? Or would you attach a filter sock to the pvc and run with the holes?
Either way works about the same and will be just fine.