My new sump (with pic)

[RWD]

After 4 months of trying to eliminate the bubbles from the skimmer and overflows from going back into the tank, I ditched the Sterlite container and replaced it with a 40 gal breeder.What a difference! I was able to install 4 acrylic baffles in the new sump to eliminate 90% of the bubbles. I updated my plumbing page with more pictures Click Here



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Visit my reef site at www.bobsreef.com
Same site, different name.

[Ltspd]

Looks good, glad you got rid of most of the bubbles.

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Paul C
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Einstein

[ReefHog]

Hey Bob,

I must say, as a relativly new reefer, your site is a real inspiration. I prefer aquariums as sumps over the plastic tubs also as it seems to be easier to customize them.

I was checking out the updated link to your plumbing and noticed it is hard plumbed to the bulk heads on the glass sump. You might want to check for vibrations at the connection as I found out the hard way several years ago. I woke up one morning to the sound of the pumps running dry. The side of the sump cracked at the bulk head. The glass on the 40 is probably thicker than it was on my 20 but still I would feel more comfortable with flex hose instead of PVC to the bulk head. It looks like you have a short piece of flex tubing (for vibrations I assume) at one of the pumps so you may be fine. Just the same though, you may want to double check it.

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Art
Art's Aquariums

[RWD]

Reefhog,
Thanks for the kind words about my site. I started it almost a year ago and keep adding things as I go. I agree with you about using a fish tank instead of a plastic tub for a sump. Until recently I have always used RubberMaid containers for sumps.They are cheap and easy to drill. The problem is it's hard to control bubbles because baffles are almost impossible to install is a tub that flexes. Besides, a glass tank is not THAT expensive. The nice thing anout a glkass or acrylic sump is that you can see exactly what your skimmer is doing. Before I could never see the bottom of the skimmer making adjustments harder.
I do have a short piece of clear hose like you said but I think I know what you mean. Most of the pipe is pvc and I guess it could cause a crack if there was some preasure on the glass. I'll have to reconsider the pump intake. In the past I have use longer pieces of hose but they seem to get flattened out because of the suction from the pump. Any ideas?
Thanks,
bob


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Visit my reef site at www.bobsreef.com
Same site, different name.

[Canadian]

RWD,

You could use braided vinyl tubing or flexible PVC. Neither of those should collapse as a result of pump suction.

[Ninong]

RWD ~

Canadian has a point about the flexible PVC. The only size flexible PVC that will actually fit tight enough over a barb fitting is the 1" ID size. It works over a 1" barb with just a clamp. The other sizes are too loose. Of course, you can always use flexible PVC in lieu of regular PVC and just glue it into regular PVC slip fittings.

Glad to see you solved your bubble machine problem.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!

[RWD]

Hey Guys,
I have seen this flexable pvc at Home Depot but I'm not sure it will work. The radius of the turn it would have to make is pretty tight. How flexable is this stuff? How much room is needed for a 90 degree bend? Can you use regular primer and pvc glue? Bob

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Visit my reef site at www.bobsreef.com
Same site, different name.

[Ninong]

RWD ~

To answer your last question first,yes, it uses regular PVC primer and glue. It won't work for sharp 90-deg turns but it does work in the same situations that vinyl tubing would be used without the kinking or collapsing that vinyl tubing is subject to. I am hoping to use some regular PVC and some flexible PVC, and will try to avoid vinyl tubing, if possible.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!

[dsb1829]

RWD here is another option on tubing. In the picture that is linked to you can see a short length of black tubing. This is braided pressure rated tubing from a sprinkler shop. Not only is it flexible for absorption purposes, but threaded end peices allow for easy disassembly.
http://home.earthlink.net/~dbrummett.../Plumbing3.jpg

Check it out.

Doug



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"Wait a minute. There's no Shamus McCloud in North Kilt Town" Homer

Visit Our Tanks

Homepage

[RWD]

Thanks dsb! I guess I'll have to hit Home Depot this weekend and check out the sprinkler section and also have a look at the flexable pvc. Bob

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Visit my reef site at www.bobsreef.com
Same site, different name.

[Canadian]

That's the braided stuff I was talking about. It's what I use for all of my aquarium plumbing. Here's the only pic I have of the stuff:



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Check out my reef at: http://www.canadianreef.cjb.net/

[RWD]

Canadian,
OK... Now I se what you are talking about. I did see some braided clear hose in a hardware store but it didn't look very strong. Your's looks like it has more braids than the wimpy stuff I saw. Thanks. Bob

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Visit my reef site at www.bobsreef.com
Same site, different name.