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Tying into the Basement - Pic Intensive

M

mcg180

JohnS,

Quick question for you. I have been studying your manifold and plan on doing something similar. I have a manifold set up behind the tank for delivery into the tank, but was going to put one in the basement and use excess flow for a new 30 gallon fuge and perhaps (excess flow permitting) running the chiller and eliminating a pump. Your manifold appears to have "soft t's" which are typically used for drain (non pressurized) systems only. Is that correct? I figure we do not have anywhere near the pressure that would be able to seperate glued PVC even if it is a drain system.

Thanks

Michael
 
JohnS_323

JohnS_323

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Hi Michael and welcome to NJRC!

Ya know, I never thought about the fact that those T's would be used for drain lines. I'm pretty sure they're good for pressure applications, though. When you buy them, they are in the same section as all of the other pressure fittings and seem to be similar in design and structure.

I hope you didn't just curse me, but I'll say it's been running like that for 3 years without a drip. <<<Anti-Jinx!!!!!!>>>

Maybe someone more familiar with their usage could give a more definite answer.

Welcome again and good luck with your system. Please feel free too ask any questions you may have along the way. Also, try to post some progress pics. I'd be interested in following along!
 
M

mcg180

Thanks - obviously I am new here - joined a week or so ago.

No Jinx - they will be fine. I only knew that because I read the sign after I had all of my fittings in the basket and ready to go. The folks at HD said they didn't see a problem and I surveyed three in the plumbing department.

Your system is amazing by the way - truly amazing. I am sure you get much pleasure out of looking back through the design and seeing your accomplishments. I have had my system up and running for about 18 months although I had a skimmer malfunction which caused 80 gallons of water to come out the collection cup overflow and onto a brand new carpet. I haven't really started stocking the tank with corals as I am really new at this and am always confused - LOL.

My system is similar to yours in that I have the display upstairs and everything else in the basement. Was running an Iwaki 100 as the return until three weeks ago. I was not happy with the flow so I upgraded to the 1.5" manifold with 4 - 3/4" t's for returns - powered by a reeflo hammerhead. New found problems in that the sand is blowing around slightly and the increased flow through the sump seems to be carrying the skimmer micro bubbles through the baffles. The tinkering never ends. Need to get this dialed in so I can begin the next phase - more education and corals. I am sure you all will be hearing from me very often - so much so that you may deactivate me:)

I will try to post some pics of the equipment room and a FTS. Here?
 
Phyl

Phyl

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We haven't had to deactivate anyone yet, lol! I'm sure it won't be all that bad!

THIS is a great place to give us a rundown on your system, post FTS and document your progress. I look forward to following along as well.
 
JohnS_323

JohnS_323

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
LOL on the tinkering never ending! It may never end but fortunately it does slow down a bit. I'm sure 80g of skimmate on the brand new carpet went over well too!

Good luck with micro bubbles and keep us posted. We're here to help.
 
JohnS_323

JohnS_323

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
.
bconn said:
any new pics?
Click to expand...

No, nothing has really changed much down there. It's all still running right along. I do have the frag rack in the 125 these days and it's loaded with club frags, so maybe I'll try to get a pic of that sometime soon.

Thanks for checking in though :D
 
Phyl

Phyl

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Each feed of the system drains back into the sump (with the exception of the phosban reactor which drains into the fuge).
 
JohnS_323

JohnS_323

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You can see the drain line coming the from the main display is this older pic. It's the 2" PVC pipe coming in to the left of the sump, with the 45* fittings and the union.

14.jpg
 
P

paintballe48

OHHH!!! ok i got it now ;D That setup is really great. Im planning something just like that for my basement a little more low tech that that at least for now until i can get some more equipment as i get the money for it. Truely great setup though gives me some awsome ideas. Do you get any bubbles into the display at all? because im basically moving my system downstairs becasue i cant stand the bubbles that are coming out of my sump which has limited space and im blaming the skimmer. and the drains for splashing.
 
JohnS_323

JohnS_323

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No, we don't get any bubbles in the display. I'm not sure why because there are no sophisticated bubble traps. Just lucky I guess!

I got the check valves at Lowes. I wouldn't rely on them for anything, though. In fact, had I known better, I probably would have saved the money and not installed them.
 
ricwilli

ricwilli

Phyl/John just want to let you know that everyone I talk too and try to explain to them what I would like to do with my setup and having my sump in the basement, I always come here and show them your setup. I just don't have the slightest idea why they look at me like if I'm crazy after showing them your basement.
 
P

paintballe48

lol well i guess if i didnt know anything about reefing i would see that as a bit scary ;) lol that setup is really really awsome im gonna base my whole design of my basement on it, im gonna try and plan this whole thing out as best i can before i even do anything, where did you get the 100 gallon and 125 gallon tubs?
 
Phyl

Phyl

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He didn't say ONLY the non-reef friends. ;)

The tubs are 100 and 150. They are from a place near here (WaterWorld) but you can get them at feed stores, Agway, etc.
 
JohnS_323

JohnS_323

Officer Emeritus
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blange3 said:
JohnS_323 said:
LOL! Yeah, our family and non-reef friends think we're a little off!
Click to expand...

Only your non-reef friends?? ;D
Click to expand...

Good point Bill! OK, pretty much EVERYONE that know's me!

paintballe48 said:
... where did you get the 100 gallon and 125 gallon tubs?
Click to expand...

We got the 100g from pond store in Farmingdale and the 150g from a fellow reefer who didn't need it anymore. Good luck with your design work. I highly recommend drawing it out first. It'll save you on trips to Lowes when you finally get down to cutting and gluing.


{EDIT} Rat's. Yet again, she beat me to it!
 
P

paintballe48

Do you think a 90 gallon glass tank would be a good idea for a sump because i was really looking into that or do you think a tub would be better?
 
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