How to Plumb an Aquarium Tank and Sump - Reef tank plumbing!
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- Опубликовано: 11 ноя 2018
- Its time to plumb that Aquarium! My Custom Reef aquarium has arrived and I'm taking you along for the ride as i explain how i Plumb my tank. Support the channel buy picking up gear through our sponsor links:
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Its actually very easy to plumb a tank! Its very easy to hook up that sump to your aquarium so give it a go and get that saltwater aquarium filled and running!
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Животные
That's the best description on how to plumb a tank I've ever seen, thanks again keep up the good work.
Thank you so much Sal! Happy to hear it helped!
Sal Pal you just made my tank plumbing so much easier! Fr best video I’ve found and I’ve been looking. Thanks!
You did an awesome job on this. Kept is short but showed all the basics. The first helpful video on plumbing a tank I have found. Thanks
I’ll be doing my first plumbing job on my upcoming build. Thanks for making it look easy! I’ve been intimidated by it recently since I want to plumb in a manifold.
Nick Kohrn you got this! Let me know if you have any questions on it :)
Finally after 8hrs looking for a video on how to plumb a sump..Thank you !!! Going from a 16 gallon biocube to a Nuvo INT 100 gallon..
After watching so many videos and articles I was about to just give up and sell the reef ready tank I got. Then I watched your video and you made it a piece of cake. Thanks a lot!!!
Your most welcome! Happy to help
I will read the comments but I actually came to see how you attached the silicone to the PVC and that's pretty much where you stopped recording 😁
With a barb fitting :)
Good man, Thanks for this! Saltwater is so simple without the snobbery!
Happy to help! It’s all about Having fun and sharing this wonderful hobby
Nice work Dev. Plumbing is a pretty easy thing that most are intimidated by. I love the laser level.
Blue Carbon Reefing a little excessive but worth it! ;)
Great video, I respect your meticulous attention to detail.. your end products always look top notch because of it!
Thanks Jeff, much appreciated!
Thanks for explaining the bean animal style overflow! I will be using it on my new build!
Excellent choice!!!!!!! welcome :)
Best Plumbing lesson video for tank and sump!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Well done as always Dev !!
Great Video Deven! Very clean plumbing.. I can appreciate the use of a laser because I am OCD 😉 Your new system is BEAUTIFUL! Thank you for sharing 🤗
SanDi's Reef Savvy thanks! Good thing I’m not alone with my ocd of trying to make it perfect! ❤️
I know this has already been said but seriously...this is the best how to plumb reef video on RUclips lol ty!
Thank you so much! 🙏
Very informative and well explained thanks for this.
I like the peninsula tanks just look so good I think
They really are an awesome style of tank!
Nice and Easy...good job Dev..
WOW!! This video is super helpful. Thank Your posting
your welcome :)
That shirt 😍 . The plumbing is perfection! Canada 🇨🇦 strong 💪🏼🇨🇦 so well done dev! Also very well explained makes someone like me think I could accomplish this 😆
Lisa’s Aquatics you could totally plumb it Lisa! Thanks! ❤️
Wow, you know your stuff dude. Great Video!
You planned out the new tank PERFECT!!! Can't beat those straight down plumbing runs. Easiest plumbing job ever. Very nice! Lasers to line up pumps. WOW I thought I was OCD. LOL Still would like to see the lines running down to returns in RED. Those silicone lines will get cruddy over time. I have them in my smaller tank and they get cruddy over time.
Reefkpr haha all that planning paid off! If they do get cruddy it easy enough to replace them. I used a threded barb for that reason. :)
Yyaaayyy. I was just thinking of ideas on adding a manifold. Thank you pops. 🙏🙏🙏
iReef perfect timing!
Clean plumbing Deven. I plumbed my frag tank very similar to your tank & used the same colors as well. 🇨🇦 lol.
Great taste in colored pipes!
Laser everywhere ....haha perfection 👍👍👍 good job
haha thanks mate!
finally what I've been looking for!!!!
Very well done looks ace :)
enjoy how thorough your videos are. Note to everyone and youself. DON"T use teflon tape on PVC joints. If you use anything it should be a non setting/pliable sealant. Using Teflon tape can actually over stress and crack the threads/pipe. Especially if you use a heavy wrapping of it. I learned it recently myself. Always used it before.
Good call. A very light wrap if you do. There is actually a liquid version but I have never used it
As a plumber, Teflon is fine for pvc, only cracks if overtightened. Hand tight and half turn with channel locks
Nice job
My RSM 650 has a system like that and also brings a manifold that feeds my skimmer and cooler.
THE REEFIN RICAN very cool! I have always used a separate pump for reactors to keep the drains silent. But it’s a more efficient way to use those pumps!
Nice job
The one thing i would ask to add if possible, is the size of the piping you're using and the amount of flow you'd expect to see, as well as what plumbing you did in the overflow box and how you determine what height to make everything in there. Otherwise, this was fantastic and very helpful for someone like me looking to get into the saltwater hobby.
Ill go over it more in a future update or ill do one just on the overflow for you :)
Cool video. Plumbing is definitely easy to do. Tedious, but easy
Tina's Reef exactly!
Very helpful!! Thank you so much!
Happy to hear it helped!
sometimes with tape you get salt creep I use pipe dope for threaded pipe.
I used PVC cutters for my project ,I didn't think about using the miter saw ..I put two gate valves one on the drain as well just incase i want to work on the sump I can close it off that way the tank can still hold water while I work down below .
interesting way to do it! and you wouldn't even have to re-tune the drain after!
I only use the miter saw above 1.5" because thats the max on my cutter. I prefer the edge I get with the cutter and the smell from the saw is awful, plus the dust and chips go everywhere.
Didn't know you shouldn't use primer on the bulkheads, good to know!
you can also just use transition cement on them made to go from pvc to abs :)
Left out a few key tips.... HOLD the fitting on the pipe for 20 seconds while it fuses, or it may be pushed back out. By the time you figure this out, your length will have increased and you won't be able to fix it without a re-do. Also, use STREET 90 elbow fittings to your return bulkheads on the back of the tank. Yeah, you can do what he did with pipe, 90 elbow, and glue, but it's a cleaner, closer connection with less points of failure. And don't sniff too much glue!
love the vid.
Nicolas Melia thanks!!! :)
Awesome video! I wish i had the extra bucks to do a large peninsula tank
All in good time! took me ages to finally get mine :)
Good video
Gabriel Montero thanks!
For he return line do you just run a pipe from the return section back up to the side where the overflow box is?
ProTip: Use "Goop" or E6000 glue instead of hot glue. You can still take it off later if you need, but it won't crack loose or degrade over time like hot glue.
Also important to note that when you over-tighten bulkheads you also run the risk of kinking or squeezing the rubber gasket too much, which will create LEAKS. And no one has time for leaks! Haha. Awesome video anyways!
Great points! The moral of the story... Don't over tighten!
I have a 45g and was debating on an external animal filter by silicone-ing some glass myself to the outside but... external plumbing brinks whole take off the wall and will look ugly. I can aquascape around internal pipes, what drain types will work best? If I use an internal animal drain system it will remove too much volume from the 45G tank.
Devin what did you use for the abs fittings
I think this video is probably the best I have seen thus far and has explained how to easily plumb a tank and add a sump. The only question I have for you is, if I were to use the Triton method do I still need a slimmer?? Or will a Refugium with heavy load of micro algae help with the method as I plan to make my tank as a mixed reef but will definitely start with fish only and take one step at a time. I have followed you on IG and love all the work you do by helping all of us the new hobbiest and getting our right foot in the door to be nothing less then successful.
A big enough refugium can replace a skimmer! The only big thing you will be missing is that extra gas exchange so make sure your powerheads cause lots of surface agitation if you remove the skimmer :) Thanks for your kind words!
Ok i got two holes in my overflows with ones do i plumb toghter am not putting a skimmer in sump just a basic sump sump tank is 40 gal thx you
ABS to PVC transition cement would be best for bulkheads. Also thread sealant is better than teflon tape. Better to use a miter saw than ratchet pvc cutters because they cause pvc to flare. This makes them harder to fit together. The edges of pvc pipe should be beveled.
That was my logic with sanding them after. Thee is actually tools to bevel it.. one day ill have to find one! I did use transition cement so safe there.. Thread sealant is new to me! ill have to keep an eye out for some! thx!
@@ReefDudes Sanding works. I use a grinder but some use a bench router or even a belt sander. I used to use teflon tape too but was told it was wrong and to use. www.amazon.com/Plasto-Joint-Plastic-Thread-Sealant-Temperature/dp/B004MYFP8C?pd_rd_wg=Qo7dQ&pd_rd_r=6e818579-555f-40fe-8087-47868688c24b&pd_rd_w=cZX1r&ref_=pd_gw_cartx&pf_rd_r=XMM806MWFR2B7HFSKDM6&pf_rd_p=c76a0c82-37bc-509a-a475-f183166f4a51
The Plumbers Slip Nut Wrench I never thought of and I am going to pick one up.
Heya I've just brought a pre opened tank that was used for marine that ill be using as tropical and I've been advised to keep the sump for better filtration the guy says I have all the piping and the return pump I need to set it up and there's holes in tank I was gonna seal, but I haven't got a clue what I'm doing regarding setting up the piping have you any more videos or know anywhere I can look about how to set it up cause I'm lost, thanks
Hey I just wanted to let you know a few things you should try differently next time. For unions & fittings check out Savko, they're based in Ohio and have great prices and their unions are the smallest I've ever found, not big and bulky like the box store ones. For your bulkheads dont ever glue em unless you really want to cut things apart to take it apart. I always use threaded fittings directly connected to my bulkheads and also for threaded joints, with PVC don't ever use teflon tape, it's meant for metal connections. PVC threads are stupid and always end up leaking unless you cheat like I do - Aquarium safe silicone rubbed onto the male threaded end, then screw it together and wait an hour. I get threaded male slip connectors and glue the pipe into those to thread into the bulkheads. You could also do a male thread spigot connector and glue it into the union. Try to minimize threaded connections if possible. Threaded connections will need cleaned and re-siliconed after a teardown but it leaves everything re-usable. Everything else looked great tho. I went with red piping on my tank but used SCH80 fittings from Savko for the red n gray look. I use Reef Octopus pumps and skimmer so all of my gear is red white black and gray - even went as far as using somatic reactors for the color theme. Don't listen to the people calling you OCD, there's nothing wrong with making your sump look great! I'm pretty happy with how it looks and I like where yours is going. I hope this comment helps you and others in the future!
8:22 use double sided bullshark tape. Holds forever and sticks like a bullshark.
I’ll have to look into thst
Very good video. It actually made me brave enough to try it. It was a success!!! Wow. How long do you have to wait after curing before turning the pumps back on?
Awesome!! Nice work taking it on! Usually overnight is fine. Could likely do it sooner but longer is safer :)
How did you make the overflow?
What about the seals? And only hand-tighten??
Is there a reason that a 1" pvp pipe is way to big to fit in my bulk head to my sump but a 1" vinyl tubing fits perfect for my return pump to my return bulkhead???
So to disaasemble do you need to cut the pipe below the bulkhead?
Glad to see it’s not only me that uses lasers to line my wavemakers up 😂
Love it! Makes me happy! Haha
Question dev how do I plumb my soft tubing from my return pump to my PVC I'm just using soft to silence the water.first time plumbing job.
curious reefer you just need a base barb adapter to connect your soft tubing
what tank is this? i cant find any "custom" DIY tanks with the overflow installed without the rest of the system
My favorite part of this video is when his voice got more and more high pitched as he went on.
Building excitement :P
You don't bevel the pipe with a reamer?
Great video Deven, one question, how long should you wait for the PVC glue to dry before adding water to your tank.
5 mins
every time i see 1 of these videos i see the drain straight down and the return pushing water farther and loss head pressure but then put the valve to slow the drain instead of the other way around
Andrew Bradshaw a rap around sump design yo push water strength up would be more efficient. It really comes down to accessibility and the fact that I plan on flipping the tank later. So I wanted it to be easily assessable from both side
You’re the man Dev! Are you running a refugium with the clarisea?
Kings Coral yes I am! Clarissa / skimmer in first. Chaeto in second then return pumps in the third :)
Nice. Can I ask, does the return have to be longer or shorter distance than the overflow ? Thanks
Shouldn’t make any difference. Can go either way
Wish you would have showed more on how the two returns were plumbed in
Each one had its own return nozel
@@ReefDudes thanks
I'm quite late to the video, but If im custom building a tank from scratch, how many drains to you recommend for 1" PVC pipe drains on a 54 gallon display tank. I want to know how many holes I need to drill into my rear glass sheet, 1, 2, or 3? I plan on having 1 return pump, so do I match the amount of drains to the number of return pumps and adjust drain flow? Thanks for the informative video.
Minimum 2 ideally 3 :) (the third is an always dry emergency)
Are you planning to leave your stand and overflow drains in the open or will you skin it somehow? Looking for solutions to hide the plumbing for an external overflow on a peninsula tank and also so the plumbing end of the tank can be more flush up against the wall.
Im going to skin it.. still need to work on that! (mine will be in that configuration eventually)
Hey Deven.... timely video as I will be doing my first plumbing job on my new 100G custom build. I don't see a manifold for reactors.... do you create that separate and T off? Or do you use specific dedicated plumbing for reactors? I have heard different opinions on T-ing off return plumbing. thx
I like to use a separate pump for reactors.. that way if the flow in them changes it wont mess with my drain tuning and make it noisy :)
@@ReefDudes I agree with separate pumps. I run a Varios 8 for my main return and I have a Varios 2 for my manifold. If the 8 ever fails I can swap in the 2 and it's plug n play. It'd be a good idea to have compatible plumbing for your two pumps so one can be used as a return backup. Another thing I saw recently that I want to try was a buddy had both pumps tied into either side of a ball valve and each pump was valved as well. If a pump ever fails all he has to do is open the middle ball and close the dead pump ball and the system will still work altho not efficiently. Gives him enough time to ship in a new one.
What can you use to cut the pvc I don't have a saw like that.. hack saw be too rough and uneven?
Hack saw will work Just run sandpaper over the edge to smooth it out after you cut it
Hi, I have a predrilled tank that was using a sump and I want to use a canister. Can you advise please. It’s a corner aqua vim tank.
If you have a sump I would skip the canister as they require a bunch of maintenance over a sump
If I was to use a canister it would be acting as a media reactor
So you ha e 3 bulkheads inside that overflow box, is there pipes attached to those inside the box? And if so what determines their heights?.thanks in advance, love all the vids
The Water Den Ken I’ll show that in a future video. One is full siphoned (just a strainer) that goes to the ClariSea. The next is the trickle. The height of that second pipe determines the level in the overflow box and the last one is a bit higher and is just there as an emergency in case one ever got plugged
It's known as a Bean Animal drain and it's basically a Herbie with an extra stand pipe that's always dry for emergencies. It's fairly popular for single overflows. I personally have dual overflows and am home more than once a month so I just run two herbies. If one of my trickles clogs I'll know.
I have a HOB overflow box and i hate it! Next time im drilling my tank lol
Ah yes! drilling is much sexier (and safer!)
What are you using that has the 3 drains? Is that an espoops overflow? I am seeing some over flows and bulk heads and a drill bit on ebay way cheaper than eshopps but it just looks like an overflow bow for inside your tank. It looks as though you turned it backward and its on the outside of your tank. I want o plumb tank but not sure what to buy, you left all that part out.
It is a custom tank with overflow box all made of glass. Eshops one works too I used that one on a buddys tank recently
He said it’s pretty easy but I still can’t keep my water level the same in my tank either the salt is filling up or the aquarium is filling up I can’t get it perfect and they don’t want it to overflow
Out of curiosity, what blade did you used on the Miter Saw?
I will check later for you buy any higher tooth finishing blade should do the job
Did you use 2 return pumps?
Or tee off and run 2 lines to 1 pump
I used 2 Return pumps for redundancy
my biggest weakness, my Achilles heal is plumbing, my question is will the bulk heads not leak with out some form of sealant? or is the join of the plastic such a tight fit it wont allow? (at the minute i am having an acrylic tank built and having a similar rear overflow box fitting like you have. i am always nervous of plumbing and the last time i plumed was back in 2015.
The rubber gasket is the "seal" form the flanged end to the tank
How do you stop water from pumping back into your tank from the sump after a power outage?
You could use a check valve but I prefer to make sure the sump can handle the water volume
Awesome video. Just about to plumb my new aquarium. The red pvc link is out of stock. Any other leads for 1 and 3/4 red schedule 40 pvc for vancouver. Thx man keep up the great videos
Where are you located
@@ReefDudes coquitlam
Try reefpvc.ca tell them ReefDudes sent you :P
@@ReefDudes thx bro! love their site!
👌👌👌
No check valve or siphon break?
Nope. Check valves do fail. Safer to jsit make your sump big enough to handle the volume
Question, about the pipe sizes. You mention two sizes piping also two sizes for the unions and gate value. What goes where ? you attach everything but you don’t talk about which pipes goes where? . My guess is your using the 3/4”pipe went into the 1” union and same for the gate valve? I have this same tank in the video but a 40g EXT with just one main drain and an E drain which are both 1” so trying to figure out if my pipes should be 3/4” when using 1” slip/slip unions & gate valve?
Stevied 71 1”’ for all drains and 3/4 for the returns. I’ll be plumbing my office tank soon maybe I’ll do an updated one and explain it further as I go
Thnx I figured it out. The small 1” e Drain pipe that came with the tank fits in all the 1” drains. Thnx
@@stevied71 Excellent!
Is that a 3/4 inch bulkhead for your return pump? curious so i can order the drill bit . i've got the overflow drilled and installed but i'm confused as to what the return holes should be
azk2106 yep 3/4 return. I always like to have the drains larger than the returns so I know they can handle the throughput
@@ReefDudes ok thank you, I've put in the eshopps eclipse L overflow in and was needing that input so again thank you very much.
one more question.... is there a specific bulkhead that you would recommend in the 3/4 size?
Question: Why did you put the 2 MP40s and 2 the supply pipes on the same side of the return ? You're going to have crazy flow on one side, but not the other. Also wont most of your detritus get stuck on the other side ?
Because I dont want any pumps on the peninsula end. I may add a mp40 or gyre to the back wall though for now to even it out a bit
ReefDudes ok cool . Would love a video on your flow setup and philosophy for the new tank
@@twinturbo111 Sounds good! I may still add another pump but i shall add that to my video list!
@@ReefDudes I have a 180 (also 6' long) and my 2x gyre 250s are all the flow I need. If I could do it all over I'd slap a piece of glass across the top at both end to mound them from above instead of to side glass. LFS near me has their frag tanks set up like that and it looks awesome.
Very nicely done. Are you going to change out some of that return line for a manifold. I may have over done it with unions on my tank. I have something like 4 or 5 on each return line. LOL
Nope, if i do a manifold Ill give it its own feed pump.. that way if flow through it changes it wont mess with my overflow tuning and thus keep the tank silent! :) Its far more efficient to use one pump but i really really appreciate a silent tank :D
I plumbed my two return lines with manifolds, but like you said the change in in flow caused by the manifold does affect the overflow and noise. Currently I am running a pair of Sicce (non-DC) pumps that were running at about 50% each. I plumbed a cheato reactor into one of the return lines and dialed the pump up just a hair to compensate. Waiting for Black Friday sales to pick up a pair of DC pumps for the controllability of flow.I like your idea of using a pump just for things like reactors and UV. If/when I tear down the 210g, the first thing I'm going to build a metal stand and get a larger sump. My sump is borderline too small for what I want it to do. I'm running out of places to put extra pumps for reactors and such.Thank you for your video. Its planted a few ideas in my mind for future projects.By the way, I've seen a few of your posts in the saltwater tanks of San Antonio on FaceBook. Are you a local or just enjoy the conversations?Ted
@@strat1960s Thanks Ted! There is never enough space in a sump! hehe You just need a tiny pump for a manifold so it could work :) I'm in BC but have a reefer friend down in huston (used to be san Antonio ) that invited me there a while ago :)
So would you daisy chain the reactors off one pump or one pump per reactor??
@@strat1960s Normally you go into a manifold with multiple valves/outputs. You could also just put 2 medias in a single reactor. This was my old one ruclips.net/video/EQJ4rjhkLAA/видео.html
Where do you get the red tubing?
Where are you located?
Hey there! I'm about to install a dual pump return in my reeder 750xxl sump. One as a backup and was going to hard plumb them all the way. You used a barb fitting with silicone tube though, so I was wondering if I should do that instead? Thanks!
It depends on the pump you use. Silicone reduce vibration and keep it quieter. I prob didn’t need it with the vectra though as the pump is basically silent
@@ReefDudes it's a cor20 as the backup and the primary is a varios8.
@@rrrreefer9721 not quite as automated redundant but if you have a second identical pump you can always just swap it in if required
@@ReefDudes yeah I'm wanting to use it with checks obviously, tied to a level sensor in my sump. When it sense too high my apex will kick it on.
What glue and primer did you use? And don’t put primer on ABS Bulkhead you said ??
I used a transition glue from the plumbing store
ReefDudes Lol. Great answer. What brand I should have said 🤦🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤣😂
@@NeoStorm_401 Fairly certin it was christys looks familiar! www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=reefdudes-20&keywords=christys pvc&index=aps&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=xm2&linkId=bce30eacd3c6e67da275b1d4c50ccc03
What kind of tank is that size and make ?
Custom one. 160g ish
Did u plumb 2 pipe into 1 calrisea filter ?
I just plumbed in the main drain and let the trickle one bypass it.
@@ReefDudes my new build planing plumb 2 pipe into 1 Clarisea, do you think it can handle it?
No manifold?
nope, if i do ill run it off its own pump to keep the overflow silent. Im half eyeing up one of the new nyos reactors which has an internal pump and no need for extra plumbing.. very clean design!
Pls someone help why’s there 3 drainage pipes
redundancy in case the lowest pipe gets plugged up it goes to the second one , then the 3rd over flow.
How much PVC did you use?
No idea. Will be different for every tank depending on how you do it and how far ect
Are u using 1" drains and 3/4" for return? I just bought a Eshopps prodigy for my 250l. Im afraid its gonna be too little with 1" drains and 1 inch return... Plz help me :D
Yes I am. You will be fine. Jsit make sure your drains can handle your max flow :)
@@ReefDudes Sweet, how much can a 1" handle? The overflowbox can handle up to 900gph, and i was aiming for 10X turnover for the tank 250l. If i go less, that will also work. But i wanna try the Triton method.
@@ReefDudes Hey again, is there a problem to plumb a reeftank with same size pvc for the drain and return? Like 1 " all the way..?
@@kennethstby6525 nope. You will be good! At the end of the day as long as your drains can handle the water your putting into the tank you are golden
@@ReefDudes You sir are a legend :D
Should invest in a good pair of pvc or conduit cutters
Not a bad idea :)
@@ReefDudes great job though
You shouldn't use Teflon tape on plastic pipe fittings it will cause them to crack. Use Teflon pipe dope, pipe thread compound and you don't need a whole lot just enough to go around the fitting one time.
This looks very very difficult.
Teflon tape not good for PVC threading it can wear the threads out prematurely
Just wanted to say you technically shouldn't use teflon tape on pvc to pvc fittings, but instead a non-hardening sealant like "pipe dope".
Teflon tape should only be used on old and worn threads, or brass fittings that can withstand the extra pressure caused by the increased thickness within the thread.
ruclips.net/video/prsgzY7aypE/видео.html
I have never had an issue wiht it.. but have head that before! i have never tried pipe dope.. maybe on the next build :)
Hello Mr.OCD
Hello :)
Nothing wrong with making it look good. He's the one stuck looking at it every day lol.