My New 72"x20"x20" Tank Build

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Now for a few work in progress plumbing pics. I have the overflow return to refugium and sump pretty much dry fitted and ready to cement as long as I (or anyone else for that matter) do not see issues with it. Basically the "herbie" overflow is controlled by the 2" gate valve right under the bulkhead there and then the return tees to the refugium (right) and sump (left). The refugium is reduced down to 1.5" flex PVC and flow is controlled with a 1.5" ball valve. Right now I only have the 1 2" union but I may add another. The sump drain will not be left like that, it will have PVC running down into the sump, Im just holding off on that at the moment. As you can see in the first pic, the overflow is not built yet. I want to get the plumbing worked out and then I will go buy the glass for it. I still need to build the emergency drain but will not do so until I build the overflow so I know the height that is needed. The emergency drain will just go into the sump but water will fall a bit, splashing to let me know that for whatever reason, the emergency drain has been needed.

Anyways, let me know if you catch anything I miss...

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I also kind of started to think about how the closed loop would be plumbed. Still not sure yet but I am trying my best to avoid over the back! I think I will go through the extra bottom bulkhead I have and then up to the eurobracing. I took a picture of how I think I will have the return get up to the top. It will be painted black and also have a rock column in front of it, so it will not look too noticeable I don't think.








I guess the one thing that may happen is that the flow on the left side will be much weaker because the return would be on the right side. BUT the mag 24 return from the sump will be on the left, so I think that will even it all out. What do you think?

Im also wondering if I do it this way how to have the outlets. Im thinking about 6-8 but Im not sure. Its a big 6000 GPH pump, so I think it could easily handle 8. The head loss is just under 5' and no 90's until it hits the top "t". The outlet of the pump will be directly below the bulkhead.

What would you do with the 2" outlets? Leave them just as 2" 45's or 90's? I do not want to restrict a lot of flow coming out of them. Im kind of lost right now on this...

[untamed]

I would upgrade that gate valve you have on the Herbie drain. I think what you have there is called a knife valve, and I don't think you'll get the fine adjustment that you want from it.

I could be wrong, but most gate valves have round, screw-type handles like this. I know that on my system, an adjustment of almost immeasurable rotation causes an effect.

[untamed]

I realize that you haven't built the overflow box yet, but your plumbing mock up shows the primary (Herbie) overflow intake as being quite high in the tank. You don't want that. That line should just be a bulkhead right on the bottom of the tank.

Your emergency flow drain should have a vertical riser like that. The surface will be skimmed by the overflow box, and the water level in the overflow box will be between the bottom of the tank and the level of the emergency overflow.

The closer to the top of the overflow box that you run the water level (controlled by your gate valve), the quieter the overflow box because the only noise is the water falling from the tank surface down to the water level in the overflow box.

Optimally, you will want the water in the overflow box to be almost as high as the tank surface, with the emergency drain standpipe, just higher than that.

Finally...consider using the Herbie AGAIN for the water that drains from the refugium into the sump. As is, you'll have silent flow right from the tank to the refug and sump, but the water that drains from the refug to the sump might be noisy. Use the hole you've already made as the emergency, and create another bulkhead at the bottom and run it as a Herbie. That's what I did and it works perfectly.

There are actually quite a few similarities between what you are doing there and what I have already done. You are welcome to drop by and examine and listen to plumbing, if you like. (I don't know how close you are to Coquitlam...)

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Untamed, thanks for all the advice! I just read it quickly but I will read it again slower later on. Your right about the gate valve...I was ****ed when I ordered some of my plumbing online and it arrived much different than what I expected! The main thing was those gate valves, that are not actually gate valves! Im going to have to find a proper gate valve tomorrow.

Thanks again for the advice and I will use the herbie method for the connection between the refugium and sump. Thanks for the heads up on that. That should also keep any bubbles from getting into the sump from the refugium.

I checked JL and ocean Aquatics but neither have 2" Gate Valves. I know Home Depot and Rona do not either. Anyone know where I can get one? It has to be easy to get to though because I have no car right now. Im in Vancouver.

[Canuckgod420]

hey if your still looking for large gate valves check out the plumbing supply stores...ie hillcrest plumbing on kingsway.....or B.A. Robinson.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Yeah thanks, I will call Hillcrest tomorrow. I am still looking. I need to get this gate valve by Thursday if possible.