The start of my Plumbing Project

[Scooterman]

A 90 will restrict flow, some op for using 45's but I think some who want maximum performance would use the heavy duty flex Jacuzzi hose. Personally I like hard plumbing everything solid, taking consideration for the restrictions when sizing pumps now as far as locations lets see what Mike has in mind.

 

[Maxx]

Becky,
I've played with both Spa-flex and Rigid PVC.....I hate playing with Spa-flex...to be honest with the you, IMO, the slight increase in head pressure is minimal compared to the ease of plumbing. If you go with a pressure rated pump, its almost not worth the Spa-flex to prevent a few 90 degree turns....if you're not using a pressure pump....then its something to really consider...

Nick

 

[Beckmola24]

Well, I've decided to go with the Iwaki RLT 70 so I will have a pressure rated pump and I'm going to "T" off my outlets from my return so not to creat back pressure. Now I'm safe from either side of the spectrum. All I need now is to figure out where to drill, and I need to buy plumbing parts. Is there a rule of thumb to follow when placing outlets? I want to be really sure of my placement because I can't reverse it after I drill the tank. Thanks!

 

[mojoreef]

I've played with both Spa-flex and Rigid PVC.....I hate playing with Spa-flex...

Whimp!

Ok Becky is the iwalkie for the return or the closed loop, if its for the return what pump have you chosen for the losed loop?

MIke

 

[Beckmola24]

The Iwaki is for the return. For the Closed loop I am going with the Sequence Hammerhead to run the Oceansmotions 4 way.

 

[Scooterman]

When you install that pump on the 4 way I'd sure like to know how it works because I want to do the same but was thinking the smaller sequence Dart, depending on your out come I may do the very same (when I get cash that is).

 

[mojoreef]

Ok so the hammerhead is 5500 gph I believe. and you are going to put that through the 4 way OM unit. So the 4 way will have 1 1/2 outputs??. that would mean that at any given time you are going to be blowing about 5000 gph through one out put. Now are you going to split each of the 4 way outputs into 2 or more or just leave it at one.


Mike

 

[Beckmola24]

I had a really long day and my brain isn't functioning too well at the moment, but what do you mean by it having 1 1/2 outputs??? I'm having the 4 way made to have 5 outputs so at any given time water will flow out of 3 outlets at one time with one outlet working all the time. Should I go with a smaller pump??? Would it be better to just split my outlets??? Would I benefit from Revolutions??? They are described in detail on the oceansmotins site. I really never had plans for my plumbing. I was supposed to get help from someone in Houston, but he evidently backed out. My backup was my husband, but he doesn't have the time to really sit down and help me with this.... or the plumbing expertise for that matter.... I do know for sure that I would like strong, random flow. My new plan was to rely on info from people here who knew what they were doing. Sorry.. I thought I knew a little of what I was doing but aparently not....

 

[mojoreef]

Becky or someone shoot me a link to this unit so I can see what modifications they have made.


thanks


mike

 

[Beckmola24]

http://www.oceansmotions.com/ There is no specific link to the 4 way. It just comes up as the homepage. HTH Thanks!

 

[Maxx]

Becky,
Mike was asking about the diameter of the plumbing coming from the OM unit. I know it get confusing sometimes, but it helps if you speak Mojo....I finds that If I speak slowly and use hand signs he understands more easily.



JK Mike!

Mike, she's going with a Mod'ed 4 way, (It actually has 5 outlets)a nd will be runing on a version with 1 outlet runing at all times and able to push water through 3 while its switching...so thats going to adjust your flow rates through outlets abit.

Okay Becky,
You realize that with a 5500 gph pump, you're going to be turning over your tank volume somewhere in the neighborhood of 50+ times an hour, (accounting for some head loss due to plumbing) right? You're not going to be able to have a sandbed at all with this type of flow.

I would suggest three things...
1....Find a smaller pump.
2....Split your outlets, (more flow in more directions, in more areas, means happier corals)
3....relax. This hobby is sposed to be fun, (it gets tough to remember that some times...but you'll get it.)
The plumbing thing can be confusing, but if I can figure it out on my tank, you can figure it out on yours.

Nick

 

[Beckmola24]

Wow, I must've really been out of it when I posted before. I am going with the Barracuda. The one model above the dart. I looked back over my thread and realized I had typed the hammerhead instead. So I am going with the BARRACUDA for the Closed loop and I'm going with the Iwaki RLT70 for the return.... After a day at the university, my brain is a mess hehe

 

[mojoreef]

Ok Becky I got the picture now. The OM's have changed alot since I talked with the owner a couple of years ago. I got a couple of quick questions. How much room do you have behind the tank for plumbing?? What is the reasoning behind wanting a 5th constantly open output??

Answers those and I will draw you up a plan. Oh yea and what the gph of the barracuda?



Nick stop sniffing the pepper spray, you will loose your motor skills...and you remember what that did to your love life last time that happened??


Mike

 

[Beckmola24]

OK, I have very little room for plumbing behind the tank. My husband suggested placing the pump and oceansmotions on shelf in the stand so that has to be taken into consideration. Once the plumbing is completed I am getting a chiller. I think the Barracuda is rated for something like 3800 gph. About that 5th hole.... Here are my thoughts.... I was thinking of having 3 outlets from the return PVC at the top of the tank, and then 2 holes in the top middle and then 3 towards the bottom. That was just my brainstorm.... I was thinking that the stagered holes would just help the flow and having that 5th hole would give better flow....Nothing special. I could go with 4 or I could go with 6 or 5 holes, it really doesn't matter. I don't think I'm making sense....I will go with whatever a plumbest maximus thinks would be the best I'm not scared

 

[mojoreef]

Ok Becky here is another idea for ya. I would sugest going with a 4 way version 2 with only 4 outputs. Make the input of the Om 2 inches, you can use a reducer to scale down to the pump you choose. Then have 4 x 1 1/2 inch outputs. I further seperated each output into 2. The way it would work is that you come out with a 1 1/2 pipe from the OM. bring it to the location as drawn, from thie you put on a tee and go either way to the BH's, at the bulk heads use elbows to attach to the BH's. Each Bulk head will be a 3/4 inch Thread by slip (slip on the outside), so you will need to reduce from the 1 1/2 elbow down to the 3/4 output. Repeat this process for all four out puts.
The concept should give you random and alturnating flow from side to side and top to bottom. I have left the lower outputs about 6 inches up, that should give you decent middle flow with out screwing up your sand bed. As for the inputs to the pump just find an easy place to put them close to where I have drawn them, make sure you can access them for cleaning.

mike

 

[Beckmola24]

AWESOME! I can't wait to get this thing up and running! You are awesome Mike! Thank you!

I'm sure you figured I'd have at least a few questions.
So the holes in the tank will be 3/4"?? with 3/4" bulkheads??? My curiosity is telling me to ask why aren't the outlet's the same Diam as the Piping??? I'm also assuming I'll be drilling 8 holes??? Thank You all SO much for all of the help. Nick, You've been so helpful. Along with everyone else. I'm sure the questions aren't finished coming though and I will definitely post pics of the progress.

 

[Scooterman]

This is from lifereef, I think actually I've seen schedules where the holes are actually smaller, I'll post them if I find it.

Plumbing, Tubing, Clamps, Bulkheads and More

Bulkhead Fittings, schedule 80


2", 3 1/2 diameter hole required: $25.00

1 1/2", 2 3/8 diameter hole required: $17.00

1 1/4", 2 3/8 diameter hole required: $16.00

1", 1 7/8 diameter hole required: $13.00

3/4", 1 5/8 diameter hole required: $12.00

1/2", 1 3/8 diameter hole required: $10.00


​

 

[Beckmola24]

Thanks Scooterman! That helps a lot. Another question: What should I do about my return plumbing??? Should I run PVC across the top with 2 or 3 outlets??? Thanks again for helping me out!

 

[Scooterman]

Lets think about this for a sec.

First of all, using the OM, you will need to take in consideration of room needed, depending on the size diameter PVC you use, remember, your going in with a 2" PVC pipe, & 1.5" out x's 4, or you can order it to have 2" in & 2" out on all of the ports of the OM, so if you decide to use 2" In & out that will also need to be considered. For now lets look at Mikes design, he is bringing two 1.5" line close to the upper region of your aquarium, then adding a TEE, so you can split off & then using elbows (90's) to make the sharp turn into the bulkheads, so this means the 1.5" 90 will also have a 1.5" to 3/4" reducer because that is where he is reducing the plumbing, I'm not sure why he is doing it there rather than reducing at the Tee first but regardless. Ok, then the other two outlets are a little less than midways, more towards the lower end, I'm thinking he is spreading your flow enough to cover behind your rocks & lower bottom section. I guess I may sound like I'm repeating Mike here, hopefully it answers your question. I know this may be confusing some, so take your time and continue to post your questions, we want you to get it right. I still can't find the other BH hole cut-out charts, I think they were about a 1/16" smaller hole thane the one I posted but not sure. I almost forgot to mention the other option may be the hot tub hose, it does seem to have advantages once it is installed and leak proof.

 

[mojoreef]

Ok Becky glad it helps. You will be drilling 10 holes in total if you include the CL input holes.
Ok on the piping, I actually had some thought behind this. On the 2 inches into the OM, this will allow for you use a 2 inch pump, also its not creating a restriction point.
On the 1 1/2 out, going with the version I mentioned you are going to run two outputs open at a time, going larger then 1 1/2 I believe will suck the life out of the pump and you will end up with more flow down below (# 1 output and #4 ) . I have taken each output and split them into two, the reasoning here is that having just one output for each OM output would mean you are trying to blow 3800GPH out of 2 x 3/4 inch holes, which means you will loose alot of head and the flow will be to concentrated. If we make it the way I have it drawn up you end up with 4 x 3/4 and it should not have any head pressure fighting it and the flow will be a not as cocncentrated. Also it gives you more outputs in the tank for better coverage. The reason I went with 1 1/2 piping right up to the BH's was to create a manifold effect, this would mean that any back pressure would be absorbed by the manifold.
On the BH;s you are going to look for schedule 80 BH's they have the thickest gasket and last the longest. DO NOT have any holes drilled until you have the BH's in the hands of the folks that are drilling the tank, that way thier can be no screw ups. For the lower manifolds I would hard pipe them, and for the upper manifolds do as Scott mentioned and use spa flex (flexable PVC).

The holes and measurements I have given you here Becky should be used only as reference, I did not know how big your overflow was so I ball parked. The concept would be to make them uniform and look good. On the inputs for the cl they should be 2 holes to fit 1 1/2 bh's and put them where they look and plumb the best, mae sure thier accessable so you can clean them from time to time


Mike