Sump Piping

[pishposh]

Hi im new here, and sort of new in the aquarium world =]

Im in the process of building and preparing an acrylic 40gal reef tank and had a couple questions.

I did some research and lots of browsing to learn as much as i can about the basic sump setup. I noticed some people using clear flexible tubes, and some using PVC pipes. Are there pro's and con's for both? Or does it not matter which piping you use?

Also, i think i have an idea of how the overflow system works... you attach the overflow box to the back inside the tank, and drill a hole into it rite? How big of a hole should i drill? Actually, let me ask what size piping i should use?

Oo and im planning to use a 10 gal glass tank (small i know) as the sump. Just incase it matters. hehe

Thanks for the help!

 

[liquid]

Hi pishposh and

I noticed some people using clear flexible tubes, and some using PVC pipes. Are there pro's and con's for both? Or does it not matter which piping you use?

Flex pipe is generally used to help reduce the amount of 90° angles that people use when hard plumbing their tank. Plus it makes it easier if you ever have to re-arrange your plumbing somewhat as the pipes will flex and move where you need them to move.

Also, i think i have an idea of how the overflow system works... you attach the overflow box to the back inside the tank, and drill a hole into it rite? How big of a hole should i drill? Actually, let me ask what size piping i should use?

If you're going with a hang on overflow, all you do is hang the unit on the back of your tank, start the siphon in the U-tube and that's it. No drilling required. A word of caution tho: hang on overflows are notorious for failing and it typically happens while you're away from home on vacation. A better option is to go with drilling your tank and installing either a Durso Standpipe or a Stockman Standpipe. Both will do a nice job. Google "Durso Standpipe" and "Stockman Standpipe" as I don't have the URL's handy right now. If it were me, I'd probably try to go with 1" pipe for your 40 gal tank. That should be more than adequate.

im planning to use a 10 gal glass tank (small i know) as the sump. Just incase it matters. hehe

Thanks for the help!

A 10 gal tank might be a tad small for everything that needs to fit in it: skimmer, heater, return pump. I'd probably look at a 20 long instead. It'd give you a little more room.

hth

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

The pros and cons of rigid and flex tubing is mostly due to its different physical property. They serve the same function.

1, rigid and flex: one is bendable, the other one is not. See liquid's reply.
2, clear and white: one is transparent, the other is not. For the clear tubing, you may have some algea growth that may block the flow eventually. For the white one, this is a much less of a problem, but if it does get blocked by calcium deposite and tube worms and detris., you can't see it.
3, Once you pressure test a PVC (glued) setup, it probably will lasts for years. However, if you don't put hose clamp on the flex. vinyl tubing, in rare occusion, you can end up with leaks. Vibration of pump also can shake a vinyl tubing loose if barb adoptor is used.

This tubing issue can be a lot more complicated than above. For example, you can have a thread PVC setup (no glue), a clear (transparent) PVC setup. Both of these will be a compromise of the pros and cons mentioned above.