Overflow/Plumbing questions....

[MikeS]

Hi all...

Well, the march towards my tank upgrade is progressing painfully slowly, but I'm getting closer. I'll be ordering the new tank this weekend.

Here is the area I'd like some input and sugestions...the overflow into the sump. I plan on having a small overflow in the upper corner of the tank feeding the sump (back of tank will be drilled to accomodate the plumbing). I'm doing this for a number of reasons...1.easy...2.cheap....3.simple

I have 2 main questions....#1....I'm concerned with noise, what would be the best way to construct a simple, small, noise reducing system that will fit in the small overflow box (like a mini-standpipe for example)? #2 once such a device has been created, what would be a good size PVC pipe to use? The system will need to flow around 1000 gph into the sump....

Please start throwing the ideas out there...

MikeS

 

[MikeS]

C'mon....I've gone 20 years without a sump/overflow...you all have to throw me a bone here.... :lol:

I'm playing with the idea of an external standpipe....drawing attached...let's start there...

MikeS

 

[LakeEd]

Mike,

I think that last picture there would work nicely. Basically, an external Duraso. You may find that putting a cap on the riser tube, then inserting an airline tube thru a drilled hole would help with quieting some of the noise as well. As for piping size, I would use a 1 1/2" PVC... to ensure you had ample flow capability.

Hopefully, this will keep this post "Bumped" for ya at the very least! *grinz*

 

[MikeS]

Mike,

I think that last picture there would work nicely. Basically, an external Duraso. You may find that putting a cap on the riser tube, then inserting an airline tube thru a drilled hole would help with quieting some of the noise as well. As for piping size, I would use a 1 1/2" PVC... to ensure you had ample flow capability.

Hopefully, this will keep this post "Bumped" for ya at the very least! *grinz*

Thanks LakeEd...the airline on top of a capped pipe is what I had in mind, I just didn't draw it in...

On size, I was thinking 1 3/4", maybe 2 inch....I figure better to err on the large size rather than have too little diameter...

Another question...how much does the standpipe design hinder GPH flow through the pipe?

MikeS

 

[LakeEd]

I'm not a "flow mechanic" type person... but what I've read about the Duraso type standpipes... the addition of the air via the airline tube actually helps accelerate flow, pushing more thru than just a filled tube would allow.

I'm sure there are others that will jump in here than can much better explain how that all works. I just know that on my tank, I have dual 1 1/2" overflows... and I'm flowing about 2400gph thru my sump.

 

[MikeS]

I'm not a "flow mechanic" type person... but what I've read about the Duraso type standpipes... the addition of the air via the airline tube actually helps accelerate flow, pushing more thru than just a filled tube would allow.

I'm sure there are others that will jump in here than can much better explain how that all works. I just know that on my tank, I have dual 1 1/2" overflows... and I'm flowing about 2400gph thru my sump.

Thanks....

My sump should be returning around 700-1000 gph to the main tank. The rest of the flow in the tank will be handled by an internal closed loop I'm working on...

I just want to be sure I have plenty of overflow capacity, I don't want to choke the sump pump back at all to regulate flow...

MikeS

 

[gman0526]

Ok Kimosabe, let's see, from my understanding you'll need a 1 3/4"- 1 1/2" standpipe, going into a 1" down tube. Standpipe has to be bigger than the down tube for this to work properly.

Now I like this mod from Durso' site. Seems to allow a lot of water to go through the OFB, thus allowing for the pump to be full blast.

http://www.rl180reef.com/180/pages/standpipe/mods/megaflow.htm

Mike I'm about to start mine as well. But be prepared for the shock... I'm going BB.

http://www.rl180reef.com/180/pages/standpipe/construct.htm

The whole Durso building page.

 

[NaH2O]

C'mon....I've gone 20 years without a sump/overflow...you all have to throw me a bone here.... :lol:

Woah now, sandboy LOLOLOL. Its alright.....were you planning on plumbing this baby today? hehehehe - you know I'm teasing :lol:

I like the external standpipe. Depending on the size of the box, you could also make a short standpipe for in the box, that elbows out to the back of the tank.

 

[mojoreef]

Sorry Mike been on the road for the alst few days. The second drawing is what you want, with the external standpipe (thats the way I do it) I wouldnt worry to much about the plumbing inside the overfow box (ebow and such). On the outside standpipe make sure you cap it and then drill a hole in the top as you woud with any standpipe to control the speed of the drain. I would go with 1 1/2 piping.


hope it helps



Mike

 

[MikeS]

Ok Kimosabe, let's see, from my understanding you'll need a 1 3/4"- 1 1/2" standpipe, going into a 1" down tube. Standpipe has to be bigger than the down tube for this to work properly

Thanks for the links George...

I'm wanting a larger diameter downpipe, no smaller than 1 1/2" It's going to have a few bends in it, and feed my new skimmer as well, so I figure I need the extra diamter pipe to ensure good flow without restricting the return pump. I plan on using 1 3/4" pipe for the standpipe above the 1 1/2" downpipe....any problems there?

Mike I'm about to start mine as well. But be prepared for the shock... I'm going BB.

:lol: Got to you did they? :lol: No worries, the BB system has some definate advantages my friend, and if I was setting up an SPS tank I'd likely consider it as well However with an LPS/softie garden style reef, I think I'd still go with a substrate of some sort...but then again, I'm the "sand boy" as Nikki so delights in labeling me every chance she gets... :lol:

Woah now, sandboy LOLOLOL. Its alright.....were you planning on plumbing this baby today? hehehehe - you know I'm teasing

No, but I want to have the hole drilled the same day I pick up the tank, so I don't have to keep loading and unloading it into the back of the truck...I'm taking it right from the store to the glass shop, so I figured I better have a final plan so they can drill the hole in the right spot....dammit anyway Nikki :lol:

I like the external standpipe. Depending on the size of the box, you could also make a short standpipe for in the box, that elbows out to the back of the tank.

So do I...I thought about a mini standpipe in the box, but I think an external one will make construction, maintenance, ect. easier....

Sorry Mike been on the road for the alst few days. The second drawing is what you want, with the external standpipe (thats the way I do it) I wouldnt worry to much about the plumbing inside the overfow box (ebow and such). On the outside standpipe make sure you cap it and then drill a hole in the top as you woud with any standpipe to control the speed of the drain. I would go with 1 1/2 piping.

not a problem Mike, I know you have been busy... Same as above...will 1 3/4" into 1 1/2" work ok? Yeah, I've read about the hole, think I'll do the airline with the valve thing on the top, so I can adjust it as needed to prevent "flushing"...

Thnaks again everybody...

MikeS

 

[mojoreef]

sure, 1 3/4 is an oddball size where did you get that from??




Mike

 

[MikeS]

Well, Home Depot has PVC in that size last I saw....and 1 3/4" fittings should fit in my overflow box...I think 2" may not fit...I'll have to do some more measuring...

MikeS