Authoritative Plumbing Guide?

[Terefel]

Hey guys. Those who have seen my posts know that I'm a big fan of doing my own research whenever possible, but plumbing has left me completely perplexed. Is there one authoritative beginner's guide article or youtube video which will walk me through the steps? I've read all sorts of stuff and seen many videos on youube but am still stumped by simple things such as "What kind of bulk heads do I get?" or "how do I calculate my hole diameter" or "why would I ever use hard pvc when flexible tubing is so much easier to route?"

This is totally foreign to me having previously owned an AIO, so if there's a definitve source, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[SGT_York]

not that I'm aware of, but there are many helpful threads the BeanAnimal failsafe plumbing thread all 300 pages is really in depth, the original herbie thread is really helpful as well.

Some basics on your tank and most of those questions can be answered.

I prefer hard PVC over flex so the Gate valves link up nice, I use a combination of flex and rigid for my returns.

As for bulkheads I prefer the threaded from marinedepot or Bulk Reef Supply as well as the other sponsors here. Threaded is better IMO so I can reuse without gluing if I want to change later. Hole diameter is fairly standard at 1" 3/4 for a 40G tank or less is doable larger than 150 go with 1.5" but this assumes you are running a siphon tank.

[Terefel]

Thank you! Thanks for explaining what the threaded bulk heads were in reference to... For some reason I thought it meant you screwed the pvc into the Bulkhead.

I am going to have a 40 breeder with a 20L sump. I will be using a sicce 2.0 pump for the return which, at 4 feet of head loss, should be giving me only about 400 or fewer gph. My original plan was to do the herbie because it required less room for pipes and overflows etc (and also because I understand it better than the BA)

Thanks for the help!

[SGT_York]

You won't go wrong with a herbie, one 3/4 for the siphon and a 1" for the open channel will be perfect. Just add a cover to your overflow so no snails get sucked in, strainers work alright as well but require more maintenance.

Technically you do screw the PVC into the bulkhead you just use a threaded male coupling with a slip female end to join the two. Get a threaded gate valve too.

Also glue your return but leave your drain pipes unglued until you get it working just right. So long as they are above your sump you only have to worry about slight salt creep.

Congrats a 40G B is a great tank!

[Terefel]

Nice thank you! So I need a 3/4 return, 3/4 siphon and 1" emergency... the start of my plumbing list! I will also get the threaded gate valve as you recommended. Thanks again!

[Waddleboy]

personally i would do a 1" return and 1" emergency and also 1 " siphon. Even though the output of the pump is 3/4" you want to go a little bigger. It will provide better flow back to your tank.

[Terefel]

Thanks waddle. You think that's true even if I'm just pushing 350 or so gph? If a larger return would assist in definitely be willing to do it.

[reef_of_flames]

Nice thank you! So I need a 3/4 return, 3/4 siphon and 1" emergency... the start of my plumbing list! I will also get the threaded gate valve as you recommended. Thanks again!

Gate valves are much better than ball valves because you have much more control over the water flow. You can make very minor adjustments with the gate, too.

Thanks waddle. You think that's true even if I'm just pushing 350 or so gph? If a larger return would assist in definitely be willing to do it.

Your return is fine. Actually, the less your return is, the more efficient your skimmer will be. It will be to able to process more of your tank's water.
You want more flow within your DT rather than the return.
Does this make sense?

[Terefel]

Absolutely understand regarding the DT flow, and that's why I downsized the pump to only push 350-400 with head loss. I guess I'm just trying to figure out whether I need a 3/4 or 1" for the return. Thank you everyone! I'm getting a much better idea of the plumbing list I need.

[Terefel]

I ordered 3 one inch bulkheads, the diamond hole saw and a slip by slip gate valve for the herbie system. I still need to buy certain things but got confused in the ordering process so I guess I have a few questions on the mechanics and any more help is greatly appreciated (thank you all for everything to date)

1. How do I connect the locline to a non threaded bulkhead? Do I just glue it in?
2. What size locline should I get? It seems to come in 1/2 and 3/4"
3. Where is the best place to locate the gate valve; is it up behind the tank or down below by the sump?
4. Why would I use hard pvc for the drains and return when braided vinyl lines seem to accomplish the same thing in a much easier manner?
5. Why are unions and check valves so expensive? Good grief.

[SGT_York]

you should split the return at the bulkhead so you have more than one lockline. Buy a small section of 3/4 pvc a 3/4 inch T or X fitting buy 2 or 3 3/4" smooth to 1/2 threaded couplings and screw in your lockline (may be 3/4 lockine) You certainly 3 1/2" or 2 3/4 locklines.
Locate the gate valve right underneath or behind your tank, somewhere you can access it easily. As far as drains you just want straight vertical drops so hard plumbing is easier, very difficult to add a stable gate valve onto a vinyl line adjusting it is a pain.
Returns use vinyl no issues until the bulkhead. Make sure you get 1" vinyl not 3/4 so you don't restrict the flow. Glue the hard PVC in the return line to avoid bubbles.
don't buy a check valve waste of money metalic ones will ruin your tank non-metallic ones will fail promptly. Place one lockline at the water surface to break the siphon when your return pump stops.
unions just live with the cost. you won't regret it.

[Terefel]

SGT York, this was extremely helpful, thank you. I think I may have some locline (including the Y fitting that splits it) in my old AIO tank in storage. I will take a look and see what I've got. I will post a picture tonight - thanks again!

I will look online for the connector to screw in the locline. Since my return plumbing is going to be 1" (and my bulkhead is 1") I presume I will need a 1" smooth to (1/2 or 3/4) threaded coupling. I may already have the coupling so I will check.

[Terefel]

All, with apologies for the bump, I post below some of the 3/4" locline fittings I have. So if I have this right, the best way to connect 3/4" loc-line to a one inch bulkhead is to cut a very short piece of 1" pipe, insert it into the bulkhead, then connect that to a 1" slip x 3/4" female threaded coupler? I spent the last 15 minutes looking online for the equivalent of a 1" street to 3/4 threaded adapter but I'm pretty sure that doesn't exist.... I just keep thinking there must be an easier way to do this...



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