New Tank

[MaC03]

Hello everyone. I'm in the process of setting up my first tank. I'm really excited to have found this place and have enjoyed reading previous posts and planning this thing out.

The tank is a 75g, it has two 1" bulkheads in the back, one with an overflow box, the other will be used for a return (3/4"). Right now I'm working on plumbing out the sump/returns/overflow and have a few questions.

The return will be powerd by a mag 9.5 through 3/4" PVC. Which is my first question - Does it matter what kind of PVC I use? Is sch 40 good enough? I've heard others talk about sch 80. I haven't seen anything specific on it here, but have heard that you're not supposed to use the sch 40 stuff for a pressurized run, only a drain. Does that matter on such a short run?

The next issue is that I would like to use a check valve but have read how they can hurt water flow. Are the "Y" valves the best to use for that? I found one at a local ACE that's interesting, it has a little trap door that flips up so there isn't anything to block the flow when it's moving forward. The problem is that it's copper (I think). It's threaded so I can screw in a 3/4" pvc adapter on each end, but can you use copper for something like this? Will it corrode or let off something into the water that could be harmful to the tank?

I'm sure I'll have plenty other questions, but getting this thing plumbed is my first step so I figure I should start there.

Thanks for your help!

[coldwaterreefer]

where in brooklyn park do you live? no copper at all!

[MaC03]

where in brooklyn park do you live? no copper at all!


I was afraid of that, seemed like the perfect check valve!

I'm just south of 694 at 81, you?

[coldwaterreefer]

65th and hampshire

[hypertech]

You don't need a check valve if you set it up right. Either don't submerge the return very far or drill an anti-siphon hole on the bottom of it to stop it from draining any further.

Sched 40 is fine for the whole thing. I think people use the 80 because it is grey and looks more heavy duty. You aren't going to come close to the pressure rating of sched 40 pipe in an aquarium application.

[RogersCG]

Welcome!!

A couple of things to consider. As opposed to using the second hole in the overflow for a return, use it as an emergency drain and make your return go over the back. If anything at all clogs your single drain then you would end up with a big mess on your hands.

As far as the Mag return, they rate pump flow on 1 1/2" or larger return pipe. With 3/4" return you will be restricting the flow. It may not matter to you at all but just something to consider.

Here is the datasheet link for the Mag pumps.

http://www.pondmaster.com/infoS.asp#

Under the chart it states "1 1/2" inside diameter is the minimum hose size that should be used for maximum flow"


Good luck and post pics as you go!!

[MaC03]

You don't need a check valve if you set it up right. Either don't submerge the return very far or drill an anti-siphon hole on the bottom of it to stop it from draining any further.

Sched 40 is fine for the whole thing. I think people use the 80 because it is grey and looks more heavy duty. You aren't going to come close to the pressure rating of sched 40 pipe in an aquarium application.

Interesting, so where would I drill the hole?

[MaC03]

65th and hampshire

Crazy, that makes us neighbors... I'm just a block away!

[MaC03]

Welcome!!

A couple of things to consider. As opposed to using the second hole in the overflow for a return, use it as an emergency drain and make your return go over the back. If anything at all clogs your single drain then you would end up with a big mess on your hands.




I was thinking about that, as I had read that recently in the "redundancy article". The holes are in opposite corners though, so only one is in the overflow box. I suppose I could run a pipe out of it pointing upward with a stainer on the top and just make sure it's at a higher level then the overflow. That way if the main drain clogged, it would use this one.

[coldwaterreefer]

i'm going to be home this weekend if you need help or iddeas.

[MaC03]

Welcome!!

A couple of things to consider. As opposed to using the second hole in the overflow for a return, use it as an emergency drain and make your return go over the back. If anything at all clogs your single drain then you would end up with a big mess on your hands.

As far as the Mag return, they rate pump flow on 1 1/2" or larger return pipe. With 3/4" return you will be restricting the flow. It may not matter to you at all but just something to consider.

Here is the datasheet link for the Mag pumps.

http://www.pondmaster.com/infoS.asp#

Under the chart it states "1 1/2" inside diameter is the minimum hose size that should be used for maximum flow"


Good luck and post pics as you go!!

So, am I better off with a larger return? I feel like everything I've see has suggested a smaller return, like 3/4".