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View Full Version : plumbing a sump is not as easy as I thought


spartan300
05/20/2008, 11:48 AM
Im upgrading from an Orca nano which has been quite successful. Moving to a 3' x 18" x 24" drilled tank with sump underneath. I decided to do much of it myself, the cabinet hood etc etc. So far so good although its taken weeks bit by bit!!:(

Finding pipework and fittings has been impossible on the high street. I tried everywhere, the tank connectors supplied by the tank maker were useless. different size pipes in both ends. 1 was 22mm upper and 20mm lower, 2nd was 40mm upper and 38mm lower.

Anyway Ive thrown them all away and ordered the pukka stuff online. Wish I had been aware of this at the start, would have saved a lot of time and cash!

Ive also ordered 2 halide bulbs from hong kong (ebay) at £4.99 each + postage around £11. If they are good....if.....why are some in the UK nearer £50??

Anyway....grumpy old man signing off for a while.:bum:

Andy ( Maidenhead UK)

Playa-1
05/20/2008, 01:57 PM
You should find yourself a good plumbing supply store. It would make your life easier.

spartan300
05/20/2008, 02:33 PM
You are right except in England the DIY stores and even specialist plumbers do not stock the solvent weld pipe at all. Mainly our pressure water pipes are 15mm copper, plastic is only for waste pipe and is mainly push fit, and thin wall.

Ive noticed that in the States you have better access to the right pipes
etc and I assumed I could do the same when it came to it. Nope!

Online specialist aquatic stores seem the only source here.

Longchamp
05/20/2008, 02:41 PM
best off just deciding what you need and buying it online. Even in the US its tough finding stuff at home improvement stores.. I spent an hour in Home Depot yesterday just trying to hook 1" PVC up to a 3/8" barb fitting.

spartan300
05/20/2008, 03:04 PM
I know how you feel. My wife is getting impatient to see some real results...like maybe a fish?