The start of my Plumbing Project

[Beckmola24]

My husband and I are settled into our Houston house and I'm ready to take some tank action. I need to start my plumbing so I can get the tank up and running. I am seriously thinking about buying and using the Oceansmotions 4 way HD with a Sequence dart on a CLS. My question is, How do I go about making plans for that?? I have a 90 gallon acrylic tank and there is a store close by that will drill holes, so that isn't an issue. With the oceansmotions 4 way I would be drilling 4 holes, but I don't know the best config for them or anything like that. I haven't don't plumbing before so I don't know what to consider with my plans. My husband is going to help me put everything in place but I need to figure out what I"m doing first. I would maybe like a design like Niki's butl I only have a lefthand corner overflow. I was thinking about getting another Sequence pump for my return pump and making a sort of spray bar (good idea/bad idea??). I need all the ideas I can get here, and if anyone has recently plumbed a 90 and really likes their design, let me know! I haven't been on the board here in a few months so I'm kind of in the dark on threads right now Thanks in Advance!!

 

[bigdave]

Look at My new "cube" by Disturbedreefer. He is using the oceanmotions with the Dart pump. When I spoke with him he talked highly of it. It has great plumbing ideas and look at Big T setup and Nikki's.
most of these are in Members showcase. Good Luck Dave

 

[NaH2O]

Hey Becky - glad to hear you are getting the project underway. Can't the OM device have more outputs than what it says (i.e. can have more than 4 outputs on a 4 way, more than 8 on an 8 way)? Here is a link to jlehigh's thread....he has 14 outputs on his 8 way. 280 In Wall Project - scroll down to post 33 for a movie. I was thinking you could go ahead and drill the back of the tank like mine is, if you like it, and just plumb the OM device to have 8 outputs. The holes would be moved over to compensate for the difference in our overflow configurations. Then have your sump return over the top, or where it is currently located. Were you going to have a bare bottom tank? If not, then the bottom outputs would need to be thought about....you don't want a substrate storm.

 

[Maxx]

Hi Becky,
I'm running an OM HD 4 way unit on my 58 gallon right now, I love it.
Some of the things to consider is what are you wanting to keep in this tank, and how are you wanting to direct the water flow?
I have an Iwaki 55 RLT (pressure rated pump) running my closed loop, (Project 58!, Pics of the closed loop begin on page 3), and the Sequence Dart isnt really a pressure rated pump. The reason this is important to keep in mind is related to how you intend to direct water movement in your tank. I used Loc-Line in my tank....and the largest Loc-Line comes in is 3/4 of an inch in diameter. My pump has 1 inch outlets and inlets, so it is being constricted by the Loc-Line. Now I went ahead and Y'd off (Split) my Loc-Line returns so there is two outlets per return which should reduce some of the back presure, but I'm still getting some, so I felt it best to a pressure rated pump. Pressure pumps will not bog down as badly under higher loads caused by head pressure or back pressure.

What exactly are you trying to keep in the tank?

Nick

 

[Beckmola24]

The tank will have a shallow sand bed and I will be keeping SPS. How high should the bottom outlets be to avoid the sandstorms??? Also how do you seal the PVC where it meets the tank??? Also, can you get the fittings at like Home Depot or Lowes??? This may sound funny, but I've never done plumbing before I am considering using the Revolutins that oceansmotions sells which would reduce the risk of back pressure. It seems like the revs will give really altered flow and make it go in even more different directions. Which pumps are pressure rated??? How can you tell?? Thanks for any help!!! I appreciate it!!!

 

[Maxx]

Beck,
You want Bulkhead fittings like these. There are cheaper ones, but do you really want to save a couple of bucks and risk the chance of accidentally breaking it and having a major leak?
I would order the bulkheads from some place like Aquatic Eco-systems (Where I gave you the link to) or some other place. I've never seen blukhead fittings available for sale at HD or Lowe's.
The revolutions are neat, but can cause issues (IMO) with how they operate...its channels all the flow through one concentrated area...I prefer to broaden that out some and disperse the flow. The pump should state whether or not its pressure rated. It will also have higher head pressure rating than others.
As far as the sandbed goes....I knew I wanted sps and would need lots of flow to keep them happy. So I designed my tank for them specifically, and went with a BB tank since the flow I was wanting would cause a constant sandstorm. I really dont have any idea how high up the lower returns should be to prevent a sandstorm. I suspect it will have alot to do with how much flow you try and run through there...which will depend on what pump you decided to buy....

Nick

 

[DisturbedReefer]

Great advice from Maxx, though I am not using the dart it's the barracuda, that is rated at 3800gph @ 6ft head. I'm not sure of all the restrictions I have with all my plumbing but I have mad flow in the tank, I am BB though, don't think I could possibly put any substrate in there I thought I would have some major reduction in flow since the pump is not pressure rated but I have no issues and most people run amp masters or sequences on their closed loops without problems. The sequence is pretty quite for a 3800gph pump and runs nice and cool. I have had people over that run Amp Masters and they are considering a change HTH
Here is my thread http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5191

 

[Beckmola24]

Thank you maxx for the great link. It cleared up things in my mind Anyways, which Diameter should I get in the oceansmotions??? there are so many diams to choose from... 1", 2" etc etc... y'all know what I'm talking about Those of y'all who have them, what sequences for the 4 Way do you have??, and do you like it???.... Another question... Does the pump come with a connection to the PVC or do you have to get something to connect it to the pump and also the oceansmotions device.... What is the most common PVC diam you can get at the store and what is the best for what I'm talking about doing with the tank??? I am thinking about putting 2 inlets like on Nikki's tank. Which Diam bulkhead should I use for inlets??? Should it be different from the outlets??? Y'all have been GREAT in helping me out here. Luckily I have a GREAT LFS 2 miles from the house and they cut acrylic there so I don't have to worry about doing that myself. Anyways.... LOTS of questions here. Thanks again!!! Oh and

P.S. which type of gasket should I use in the bulkhead??? Thanks

 

[DisturbedReefer]

Diam of the Oceans Motions in depends on your pump. In my setup I used the barracuda it has a 1.5 in/out so I had Paul at Oceans Motions put a reducer in the inlet part (he did this without charge sch80). The Dart if I remember right has a 2" out and a 1.5" in, you can do a split inlet (two 1.5" that T into your return portion of the pump) use the 2" out going right up into the O.M. going out of the O.M. 1" is the standard (you can do other sizes) I used the 1" going into 3/4" bulkheads, reduced right at the bulkhead. As for the gasket, the bulkheads come with their own gaskets, just make sure to have the gasket on the inside of the tank The ones Maxx directed you to are great, don't want to skimp on the plumbing

 

[Beckmola24]

DisturbedReefer, Which sequence did you get for the OM??? I am thinking about using the barracuda. Also, why did you have a reducer put on the inlet??? Not sure what that's about Again thanks for your info!! I might actually be able to plumb this monster by myself.... Well, with my husband's help too hehe.... Oh and by the way, I really miss Seattle... gettin' kind of homesick to go back... Deffinately a place I wouldn't voluntarily choose to leave.

 

[big t]

Hey Becky, Welcome Back

How did you move go, and did you end up taking any of your livestock with you?

I had to giggle a little bit because Todd told you 2 or 3 times already in his posts that he is using the barracuda sequence pump on his closed loop. As far as drilling into your acrylic tank, I am sure that you or your husband could easily handle it yourselves. There really is no trick to it, just buy a good hole saw ($15 bi-metal type) from Home depot, and poke the holes where you want them. It really is that easy.

As far as a link to save you some money, I would normally recommend a sponser such as Marine Depot, or something like that. They do not have the good bulkheads that I recommend, so for plumbing the very best place I know of is www.savko.com The bulkheads that you want are the same ones that Maxx posted and are called SCH 80 bulkheads. Savko has them for almost half of aquaticeco.

Maxx, why did you go w/ a pressure rated pump? I would think that a flow rated pump would be best in a closed loop. Are the oceanmotions so restrictive that a pressure pump becomes necessary?

 

[Beckmola24]

Not to get totally off subject, But the move went relatively well. I took my 5 gallon tank from WA all the way to Ohio, stayed there over Christmas for a month and then took it to Houston. Along with the tank, stuffed into the car, were my 3 cats, husband and black lab We have a Tahoe, but it was TIGHT In the tank I had/have my beloved blenny and clarkii, and gecko goby(in a 1 gal tank) about 20 snails, my brittle star, My ricordia, Musrooms (2 have become 4) My GreenStarP's. My emrald crab got eaten by the brittle star... Serves him right, he's been terrorizing the nassarius hehe. I am happy. I sent some of my beloved corals to a lady (SueT on Marsh) in Houston and they are doing well. She's been so helpful. It's just until my tank gets back up and running. I am sort of settled here in Houston. Just homesick for Seattle.

 

[Maxx]

Maxx, why did you go w/ a pressure rated pump? I would think that a flow rated pump would be best in a closed loop. Are the oceanmotions so restrictive that a pressure pump becomes necessary?

no actually they are basically just a single 90 degree turn/elbow that rotates at 1 rpm. I bought a pressure pump because I reduced down to 3/4 of an inch from 1 inch at the pump. I was seriously concerned about the back pressure from the reduction. I reduced becuase I wanted to be able to adjust my flow as time goes on, (coral growth) and to be able to change my flow if it didnt work as well as I'd hoped when I'd originally configured it.
Beck,
I apologize about not sending you to Savko....I wasnt thinking too clearly this morning when I posted that....it was pre coffee.


Nick

 

[DisturbedReefer]

DisturbedReefer, Which sequence did you get for the OM??? I am thinking about using the barracuda. Also, why did you have a reducer put on the inlet??? Not sure what that's about Again thanks for your info!! I might actually be able to plumb this monster by myself.... Well, with my husband's help too hehe.... Oh and by the way, I really miss Seattle... gettin' kind of homesick to go back... Deffinately a place I wouldn't voluntarily choose to leave.

:lol: Do I have to say it again...Barracuda :lol: The Oceans Motions has a 2" opening for the inlet, that's why the reducer

 

[Beckmola24]

OH I see why you thought it was funny I ment sequence (I guess they're called versions) as in 1,2 3,4 or 1,4 3,2..... lol... :badgrin: I meant the way the oceansmotions works. It has different sequences or versions you can order and I wasn't sure which one I should get. I didn't mean the pump LOL Sorry for the confusion... :badgrin: Also, Nikki mentioned that it is possible to buy the oceansmotions 4 way with more than 4 outlets. I was thinking about 5 outlets so I can stagger. Have 2 outs on the upper half of the tank and 3 closer the the bottom. With 2 inputs on the opposite side of the overflow. Also I can't remember and dont' have too much time to browse right now, but does Nikki have BB or sand?? I would like some sand, but if it will cause storms then i wouldn't care to have it. It seems like a lot of folks using the oceansmotions have BB.. am I correct??? Thanks again for the help!

 

[DisturbedReefer]

:lol: :lol: :lol: I went with the version 3 of the 8-way if you look at my thread you can see my little octopus/medusa Oceans Motions there. The version 3 worked best for me to give ma a double side, middle, side, bottom motion. If you look on the waterpix section of the Oceans Motions site you can see several 4way setups.

 

[Beckmola24]

Another quick Q.... for about 25 bucks more I could go with the hammerhead instead of the barracuda. What are y'alls opinions??? Grant it, I have a 90 gallon tank, but want a LOT of flow. I was thinking about using the dart or maybe the barracuda for my return from the overflow. Ideas comments??? Also, where can you find the Diameters of each of the pumps??? I can't seem to find them. Thanks!

 

[NaH2O]

Becky - I didn't mean that the OM 4-way can be purchased with more than 4 outputs, I meant it can be plumbed that way. I'm not a plumbing guru, but I think you can T off and have more than one output. Check out the first thread I linked up.

On my tank it is BB. If you are looking for a lot of flow, I would seriously reconsider having a substrate. I'm not sure with really high flow if you would be able to stop a sandstorm. You could do sand, but you would probably need a slower flow, and outputs more towards the middle and top of the tank. What types of corals are you going to keep in this set-up?

 

[Beckmola24]

Actually I just asked Paul and they actually can do a custom drum with a 5 way output Cool! Anyways, This will start another topic here, but could someone give me the pros and cons of a bare bottom??? I don't really care about the looks part, I'd just like to know if there are any risks associated with BB. Also, Would the hammerhead be too much for my tank??

 

[DisturbedReefer]

Becky,
With the barracuda in my 135 cube I have more than enough flow. I'm thinking that the hammerhead would be overkill...you would need to strap down your rock :lol: IMHO