Plumbing Help (1 Viewer)

[goldfish423]

Hey guys,
I bought a 75 gallon used it is set up.
The tank is drilled in the back. Single bulkhead no emergency drain.
I’m very new to the plumbing aspect of this hobby but I want to upgrade the pvc to schedule 80 and secure the plumbing so I can sleep at night, some of the fittings are put together in a way that scare me.
I had/wanted to get the tank up and running so that the livestock that came with it had a home.
I was wondering if there was someone that could reach out to me and help me some afternoon put in a new drain pipe?
Help me pick out fittings teach me how to secure it all, help me cut them.
I’m looking for a tutor.
And I’ll post pictures as soon as I can.
Probably tomorrow.
The tank is full but my overflow is a corner cut DIY that could be siphoned out. Meaning the work would need to be done relatively quickly and correctly.
that’s why I don’t wanna make the attempt and fail by myself.
Oh
I live in St.Louis Park close to Minneapolis .

 

[Ben Nicholls]

Wish I was available this weekend, but I would not be able to help until like the 9th.

Since the drain is no pressure, schedule 40 is sufficient and easier to cut, but some like the look of 80. About the only drain part I usually get 80 is the gate valve as they are built a bit better.

With one drain you would have to run it full open for safety which will be noisier. You will probably want a durso style stand pipe. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/md-2017-08-durso-herbie-bean-animal-overflow

I always put a union at both ends of a pipe to make it easier to change out when you decide to redo your plumbing (because you always eventually will).

 

[goldfish423]

Durso standpipe would be a good addition.
My current return pump needs to be upgraded it doesn’t keep up when the valve is completely open.
what are my concerns having it halfway closed?
I’m off this weekend and this upcoming week.
Then I work for a week. I’m flexible.
My biggest concern is that glue job that was done on the bulkhead fitting….
I also have a TINY leak where the bulkhead meets the glass but it isn’t constant it’s only when I’m Messi by with the valve or piping.

The glass aquarium will be replaced down the line due to a 3 big scratches on the front panel. Not sure when though. Might save up for low iron or something nice.

thanks for looking

 

[miltonkl]

A bead of silicone should clear up your leak until you get the plumbing sorted out.

I did my plumbing off of youtube how-to videos and it took far too long but it wasn't too hard. It's definitely very very ugly though, lol. I found a couple of good bulkheads at home depot that were reverse threaded for my returns but I had to buy all my drain bulkheads online, as the assortment available locally is very limited in sizes and generally pretty low quality. I just stuck with sch 40 for the pipes, bends, and unions, but did sch 80 for valves, like Ben mentioned.

 

[Ben Nicholls]

If the bulkhead is leaking it is probably best to just replace it when you redo the plumbing. As far as keeping the valve open, when you only have one drain you have no backup for possible clogs which will happen. If you use a valve to control the water height in the overflow all it takes is a piece of crud or a snail to go down the drain and you have a partial clog which will result in an overflow in the tank and water on the floor. Full open allows anything entering the drain to go all the way through to the sump without getting hung up.

So instead you use the durso standpipe to set the overflow water height and to quiet the drain. You will not get as quiet as a herbie but it will reduce the drain noise.

The existing plumbing looks fairly straight forward. I would use a threaded elbow on the bulkhead. It makes it easier to change out the bulkhead if needed. I would have also put the union above the valve. Union as close to the start and end as you can get. As mentioned before I would use schedule 80 for the valve and I prefer gate valves to ball valves as the ball ones always seem to bind up after a while.

 

[goldfish423]

I will get a shopping list together and apply all of this too it.
Thanks for the info and if anyone has extra free time feel free to contact me to help and set up a time.
I don’t want to start this and fail and have to catch my fish and squish them into the Biocube.
Can always text or call.
May attempt this weekend/week.
Would I order the durso standpipe or diy that as well?

 

[goldfish423]

 

[Ben Nicholls]

I would DIY the durso. Easy to do and you'll be able to make it to the height you need. I end up getting most my plumbing at Menards. Is that bulkhead slip or threaded on the inside? You should get threaded so it is easier to take apart if needed. Otherwise you'll be cutting plumbing if you ever need to remove it for cleaning or replacement.

You are also going to need PVC primer and glue, thread sealant, and a PVC cutter. The cutter is much easier that sawing the PVC.

I can probably help on the 9th, or the following weekend.

 

[goldfish423]

The drain on the inside of the tank is slip and stuck in there (but not glued)

 

[goldfish423]

I’m available until 5pm on the 9th or else the following weekend as well!

 

[Ben Nicholls]

The inside of the tank should be slip and I prefer not glued. Outside I prefer threaded.

 

[goldfish423]

Yes like I have now. Except the execution by the past owner had him glue the return to the threaded outside which makes me nervous