Possible fuge problem (pic included) PLEASE HELP

[Shnabbles]

Ok this is a picture of my fuge, it is in one of those 100 gallon rubbermaid poly tanks. The box in the middle is something i made out of 8x10 plexi glass, i used aquarium sealent and glued it to the bottom and all 4 sides.. there are whole drilled in the plexi glass to allow water to be sucked into return.



The pump is not shown but is basically sucking the water through the plexi glass box.

There is roughly a 4-5 inch sand bed in fuge..

Now here is my possible problem... over time if the aquarium sealant goes bad and that box crumbles all that sand is likely going to get sucked into my return probally distroying my pump and through sand all over my display.

For people with set ups like this how do you pull the water out of your fuge and into your sump?http://www.gamedaysportscards.com/tank/sump.jpg

[saltaholic]

Only thing I could suggest is make sure that it wont fail. Not sure about your complete set up, but what about raising the bulhead above the sand, then you wouldn't need anything.

[Shnabbles]

there is no bulk head... the tub comes with a drain whole in the middle of it.. i just hooked some PVC up and put the pump on it

[jdieck]

If you can thread PVC also on the inside of the drain hole then install a 90 degree elbow pointing up and a piece of PVC pipe to rise the intake above the sand level if posible try using 4" light schedule pipe for the vertical and reduce it to whatever the drain hole diameter is. This will reduce the effect of pressure drop at the pump inlet. No need to remove the box.
Alternatively you can plug the drain and dill a hole for a bulkhead at a higher level.

[Shnabbles]

that was the original plan... there is some plastic edges blocking the threads or i would be able to do that... i might have to get in there with a utility knife and see what i can do

[Shnabbles]

how do people with these fuges do it?

[saltaholic]

I always preferred my fuge to drain so that the critters had a better chance to get to the tank without going through a blender.

[CaptRon]

The silicone will eventually fail over time. Best thing to do would be to get some weldon and redo your acrylic box. Weldon will fuse the panes together permenantly. Weldon #3 should do the trick.

[CaptRon]

Oh,... weldon won't work on the tub itself. You'll have to make a bottom with acrlyic and use the pumps weight to hold it down in the tub or a big rock.

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9351868#post9351868 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shnabbles
that was the original plan... there is some plastic edges blocking the threads or i would be able to do that... i might have to get in there with a utility knife and see what i can do
I would then prefer to drill and install a bulkhead at a higher level.

[Shnabbles]

Well i cant screw another peice in from the other side the threads arent long enough and it its the pvc on the other side.

[Shnabbles]

what size bulk head do you recommend?

[jdieck]

What is the size of your pump and the flow?

[Shnabbles]

its a reeflo barracuda.. with 1.5 inch opening

[jdieck]

For that pump I would recommend a minimum of 2" inlet pipe and bulkhead. Use a reduction from 2 to 1 1/2 at the pump inlet connection. You can install a 2" plastic strainer on the inside of the bulkhead.
You can rise the pump to the level of where you will install the bulkhead to get a stright line pipe or for increased inlet head pressure you can leave the pump at the floor level and elbow the pipe down diagonally using two 45 degree angles if you have the room to do so.

[Shnabbles]

where can i get a bulk head that i can put a strainer in?

[jdieck]

Here are several options.

High quality bulkhead
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/6862/cid/1869
The 35200 is threaded inside and outside
The 36200 is threaded outside and slip inside

You can also use the cheaper ones.
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/6885/cid/1895
BKF23 is threaded inside and outside

Or this one:
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/6843/cid/1860
THe BKF7 is threaded inside and slip outside

The strainer is threaded:
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/8573/cid/2020

If you use a bulkhead that is slip inside use a short piece of PVC 2" pipe and a 2" female adapter to which you thread the strainer.
The inside strainer (pipe and or adapter) does not need to be glued nor sealed for easy removal and periodic cleaning.