Plumbing 101 help!

[Iconz]

Alright, as the time draws closer and closer til I start buying my drygoods, I'm going to need some answers to some of the beginner's questions.

First of all, can someone give me a "Plumbing 101", or a "how to" overall view?

Here's what I have in my list of equipment to buy that I think regards to plumbing, overall:

Display tank (All-Glass 75g w/ MegaFlow (http://www.all-glass.com/products/aquariums/index.html) overflow - 48"x18"x21")
Sump/Refuge tank (20g - 24x17x12)
Return Pump - Mag Drive #7 (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idProduct=DN1125)

I plan on getting a skimmer, but am still debating which one to get.

EDIT: As far as the type of tank, I'd have to learn what type of corals each one falls under or how to indentify which category each one falls under (lps, sps, softies, etc...), but from what I've seen, I like some of the leathers, zoos, plates, mushrooms, and a few others. I'm also wanting to keep some fish as well, tang(s), a pair of clowns, and some others.

Other questions I have...

What else do I need?

In what situation do I use powerheads?

What function does a close loop give?

Where does my return line enter my tank? ; Does it come over the top, or does it need to be drilled?

What risks for natural syphoning are there, and how do I avoid them?

Valves, which ones do I use, and where all do I put them?

I know this is alot, but its all stuff that I would like to know.

Thanks to all of you ahead of time!

-JD

[Fatman]

Gratz Iconz, I would recommend a larger pump.
Even though Im not exactly sure that type of tank your planning to run.
Check out this thead on manifolds btw.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=965083

I did a simialir "newbie" mistake and went with pumps + powerheads, but even this causes dead spots that quickly get loaded with algea. I plan to build these manifolds for both of my tanks now and throw away the power heads.

[Fatman]

In what situation do I use powerheads?
I posted but I dont recommend them now knowing their drawbacks (eat power, and are not very efficient)

What function does a close loop give?

Where does my return line enter my tank? ; Does it come over the top, or does it need to be drilled?
Depends on the tank, my tank had a pre-drilled overflow with exit and return line in the same corner. Over the top is not unheard of.

What risks for natural syphoning are there, and how do I avoid them?
The usually put little holes on the highest point of your return but the problem with this (at least that I had) was that it would shoot micro bubbles into the tank, so I instead just placed the return right at the water line in the tank, so it would siphon a gallon of water MAX and soon hit air. (remember siphoning only happens when the power goes out)

Valves, which ones do I use, and where all do I put them?
I did not use any valves, I know alot of people use them for simplicity in having to move things or if they want to easily disconnect reconnect items. Maybe some people can post pics of their plumbing.


Remember that you want alot of flow but not so much pressure.

[Iconz]

Alright, I've upgraded my return pump selection to a Mag 9.5 (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=DN1127)

I have read a TON on the manifolds. I love the idea of a manifold over powerheads. The Dart (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=MM1136) doesn't seem like a bad selection for my CLM, but i'm concerned about noise... So, this brings me to my next question...

Noise controll!?!?

How do you keep the noise from all of your pumps, water moving, air moving, etc... down?

- I have thought about using 'sound insulation' on the inside of my stand.

What else could i do?

Thanks,

JD

[Fatman]

Besides keeping it inside the stand not much else. Someone else can chime in if submursible are quiter than external. So far Ive been dealing with submersible. What you will notice is the pump isnt so loud , its the water overflowing in the overflow thats loud.

[Iconz]

Yeah, i plan on keeping as much as possible in my stand. I'm just curious if there is something that you can line the inside of your stand with that will also help reduce noise?

[jojo22]

styrafoam. but if water got behind it that could be bad!

[Iconz]

Okay! So, I've read on manifolds and how to plumb them. Only a couple outstanding questions, but I'll ask those later.

Now, as far as from the overflow drain... Stand pipe through the bulkhead, then where does the water go?! I have no idea!

Thx,
JD

[jojo22]

Down to your sump/refuge. And back to the tank through the manifold.

[Iconz]

ya, but more detail please! where in the sump/refuge, or better yet, how do i design my 20g sump/refuge as far as splitting it up and stuff?

[jojo22]

OK generally the sump/fuge is under your tank. Water comes down a pipe from your overflow and enters the first chamber, this is where you put your skimmer and a crash chamber if you would like one, next is a set of baffels, next is the fuge section, followed by more baffels, and finally a section for your return pump which attaches to the plumbing for your CLM. As for sizes there is no rule of this many inches for this or that section. My advise (take it for what it's worth to you) is to make pressure locking baffels (look in the diy section) and keep the skimmer/intake and return pump area as samll as you can so that your fuge can be bigger. test to make sure the areas are not to small before you put sand in the fuge. Get everthing where you want it fill the fuge with sand and rock and you have a sump/refuge.

Hope this is what you wanted.

[Iconz]

yes, that's much better! thanks joe!

[dkode]

Sorry to hijack the thread, I am making a sump/refuge now and am curious about lighting for the refuge. is it necessary? if so how many watts suffice for th refuge. I almost have all the equipment, just waiting for the skimmer to come in. 20 gallon refuge and 10 gallon sump is what i'm planning. I like the idea of a closed loop, although I would not be able to drill the tank for a closed loop. I like the idea of using the return manifold though, and may purchase an extra pump to install at a later date by just placing it in the return chamber and then plumbing the manifold up top. I imagine alot of pressure is lost traveling that high, but drilling for a CLM is not an option.

thoughts?

[Iconz]

You don't have to drill to have a CLM, actually. It definitly helps, but its not 100% nessicary.

I've seen tons of pix where people just put the clamped shop lights and put a "swirly Q" bulb in them for fuge lighting, easy, and inexpensive. It also should be enough to grow cheato, and some other macros.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o101/iconz_reef/light.jpg

and

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o101/iconz_reef/bulb.jpg

[dkode]

how many watts per gallon is necessary for cheatos? 5?

[dakar]

how many watts per gallon is necessary for cheatos? 5?

5w per gallon should be okay... if you are going the twisty type power compact go as high as you want.. on my 10g fuge I think I'm now running a 120w rated lamp, which only consumes like 23w of power.... macro growth is fantastic....

My personal theory is that faster the growth, the more nutrients and other things are being removed from the water column.

[Iconz]

I've been told several times that the watts / gal method is kinda dated, so I really couldn't tell ya there.

And, I really am not the one to be answering light questions. :)

[dkode]

excellent dakar!

Im setting up my sump and fuge now. just have to get the plumbing and drill one of the tanks.

thanks for the info. does anyone on CR sell chaetos? or ebay or something?

[Iconz]

eric ( perpetual98 ) i think does quite often.