Overflow Standpipe - Need Help

[oceangurl]

I'm working off an existing 90g AGA Reef tank setup I bought, and I'm wondering if the way he had the overflow standpipe setup looks correct? Looking at it I'm worried it might siphon the water down too low, but I'm new to plumbing tanks and was hoping someone could give me some input on the best way to set things up (durso?). Posting a photo of the overflow standpipe and the return pipe, let me know if anything looks off. Not sure if it matters, but the return pump is a Blue Line 40HD 790 gph magnetic water pump.

Also, do I need to replace the bulkheads? They were used for about 6 years and seals seem to be in okay condition.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/586/85946IMG_0661_sm.jpg

[billdogg]

the one with the locline was the return. If it were me, I would use BOTH as drains, and bring the return up over the back of the tank. And yes - durso's for both. I can see no reason to route the drain like it was. All it could drain if the power went out would be the overflow box, but why? Dual durso's are a much better and safer choice

[padgett152]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1580865

this is a link to the thread for the pipe i built for less than 1.00

[jimmyj7090]

You want the drain pipe to look like this;

http://www.dursostandpipes.com/?page_id=2&category=9

The inlet should be submerged, but near the top of the water level. The cap on top will need a small hole drilled in it to let air in. The size of this hole will be key to "tuning" the drain to keep it running smoothly and quietly. If the hole is too small, the overflow will "flush". If the hole is too big it may drain slower than if the hole were just right.

Make sure to add some kind of overflow strainer to keep fish/snails/whatever from getting into the plumbing.

[THE ROOK]

Yes, buy new bulkheads. They're cheap & old used one's will leak.

The drain pipe is junk. I'm a big fan of the AGA factory type drain pipe. It's not $5.00 like the garbage that the previous owner put together.

You can get a new AGA Megaflow fit which includes all new pipes & new bulkheads for around $50.00. That's what I have & it's great. It's quiet & never given me a problem.

The return should be fine. You may need a cheap ball valve between the pump & return to "match" the flow.

[oceangurl]

Thanks for the replies, making a Durso standpipe now.

[strayvoltage]

The AGA Megaflow is a nice kit, you can either spend $50.00 on them or for around $11.00 you can build your own adjustable durso style standpipe like this.
Expanded view
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa69/valk_00/DSC00905-1.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa69/valk_00/DSC00906-1.jpg

Put together at longest size
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa69/valk_00/DSC00908-1.jpg

Adjusted to shortest length
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa69/valk_00/DSC00909-1.jpg

[oceangurl]

I just dry fitted everything, it was too tight of a fit with the way the previous owner modified the return by teeing it so it returns on either side, so I have to use the lockline to actually wrap around the Durso on one side to make it work.

Going to reuse the old bulkheads until I get some shipped, none of the LFS's locally had the ones I needed.

Pic below of the new standpipe, any better?
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/85946IMG_0662_sm.jpg

[jimmyj7090]

That looks good.

Just remember to get some sort of strainer on the inlet.

[THE ROOK]

Looks good.

Rinse down the overflow into a bucket, then wipe down well. Only tighten the bulkheads hand-tight & possibly 1/4 turn more. That's it. Over-tightening will make them fail quickly. Also make sure the gasket is on the flange side (inside) only.

Maybe someone has an idea for a strainer that will work with the pcv drain you built.

You can remove the 2nd loc-line if it's in your way. Not really needed if your running powerheads.

[jimmyj7090]

I make my strainers by taking about 6" of PVC pipe and cutting slots along the sides on a table saw. Kind of primitive, but works great and easy to do if you have a table saw :)

[oceangurl]

Thanks for the input. I don't have access to a table saw, I wish I did! I'm thinking I might wedge some egg crate in the elbow to filter out anything large enough to clog the plumbing.

[smoovie]

Maybe a little too much but how about cutting some plexi with a hole saw drilling it and then glueing it into the opening if the drain pipe. Just a thought.

[jimmyj7090]

Here's strainers for you. (scroll down to near the bottom)
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~plumbing_parts_fittings_bulkheads_strainers.html

If you set your duroso up with 1.25" pipe, you could use a 1.5" strainer by finding the right adaptors at HD.

[oceangurl]

The drain elbow is 1.25"