Carl

If I understand what I think you're trying to do...yes...if yo slow down what's going OUT of your pump back into the tank...it will naturally slow down what circles back around and into your overflow or sump. Do you have both your bulkheads going to the pump? or just one? Another note on my CL. I have two, 1.5 inch bulkheads in the tank. Each of these 1.5 inch pipes join together with a wye, into a single 2 inch pipe, that goes directly into the CL pump. DO NOT restrict this water flow into your pump. If you must, restrict it on the way OUT of your pump.

Like you are saying Jason...similar to this design on Melev's web site...although this design is NOT growing anything in the return pump chamber

Welcome... And are you: a) thinking about setting up a tank b) setting one up right now c) intrigued by a tank at a friends house d) a master reefer looking to spread your knowledge e) none of the above and btw...we all love to see pictures of what you got going

Here's my 2 cents... I'm looking to use a Sequence Dart on my CL on my 75 gallon. When I looked up my pump online, it shows the various GPH at different head rates. If I put a ball valve on the return to the tank pipe, I can create an artificial head, and therefore slow down the flow...apparently without damage to the pump. My pump is rated at 3600 GPH at 0 head, and 2820 at 4 feet of head. I assume my CL...without any real head...just friction...will pump somewhere between 3000 and 3200 GPH. At 3200 GPH, that's a turnover rate of 42 times/hour. Then I add in my Mag 5 for a return from sump to tank...and I believe I'll have WAY too much flow than I need. So, I plan on putting in a ball valve in between the CL pump output, and the tank, to slow the flow down some. On another note...I would never use an overflow box where somebody put some putty...and trust that it won't leak sooner or later... -Carl

I did a mapquest search on round hill, VA...and it came back with THREE Round Hills... I'm curious how far you live from Alexandria, or how close you are to BRK...in case you have that impromptu tank tour. -Carl

OK Moderators...if you like, please move this thread to the Dedicated Tank Forum...The 75 gallon tank build is in process, and I've been taking pictures!! And you can delete the ISO best practices on the 2nd line as well. I've spent the past 2 weekends trying to figure out the plumbing for the CL, and the Mag5 return. I'm almost there. I'll start posting pictures tonight or tomorrow. -Carl

OK...my 75 build is starting to see some progress...and with a self-imposed deadline looming...I think I may actually get it done this time. I am building a sump for the 75. The sump is a 29 gallon. My question - Is a fuge 7 inches wide beneficial enough to actually include it? or do I scrap the whole fuge thing. As you can see from the picture...Dan's Shorty takes up a good portion of the sump (left side of picture). The return area with a Mag 5 takes up the right side. This leaves me with 7 inches at the most, where I can put a fuge.

Ya know...I didn't realize it was YOU on the phone either... Hope I wasn't rude...as I called you after two full days of going to HD, Lowes, and another HD...trying to find plumbing pieces...you were my last hope of getting the project ahead for the weekend. But I'll gladly wait until you get it in, and drive out to see ya. Do you know what day(s) you'll be working?

Congrats to both BRK and Chris - a great match !!! Let me know when you get some flex PVC in...and I'll drive out to see ya!! -Carl

I think I'm going to give it a try....the PEX and John Guest fittings. First application will be to run lines from my sump on the first floor to some sort of drain in the basement for the water change. And also run a line from my 55 gallon barrel of pre-mixed salt water in the basement, back up to my sump on the first floor. It does bring up a question from another thread of course...how do I now plumb my sump...via john guest fittings and pex...into the sewer line of the house? If I can't figure this out...I may have to install a utility sink in the basement, and just dump it into the sink. -Carl

Thanks...I'll give it a try tomorrow...and let you know.

This is what I'm thinking... Can I use the PEX without the crimping tools...and just use it with the plastic (what do you call those connectors we all use on our RO/DI filters???) xxxx types of connectors...where you just push it in...and it's sealed. I may have to snake the PEX through a wall...and again across part of the basement where the HVAC return is running. So it's worth it to me to pay 2x for the piping, if I don't have to open up drywall. And at Lowes, right under the PEX tubing were 100 or so of these quick connectors of all different types and sizes...so I'm hoping that will work.

Eric, Have you worked with one person in particular? Do they quote different prices if you are a friend? Chris - What size were you trying to get? and what did they quote you? -Carl

I like the Dark Navy Blue A8597-0. Do you want to help arrange this? Or should I can them directly? Should I ask for someone in particular? like a buddy of yours? Do they ship the racepeel? Or do I need to pick it up? -Carl ADDED: I just called...they said I could come by with the dimensions, and they'd cut it on the spot for me.

The link above didn't work. NEVERMIND...I found it at Marine Depot... What colors are you able to get me from your "connection"? I want a dark blue. -Carl

Steve, I assume it would work as well...and certainly easier to put in than traditional PVC. I am considering putting it in between the basement and first floor for water changes. Do you think 1/2" would be good enough to do a 20 gallon water change...I don't think I'd need the 3/4" And if I have extra piping...I assume I could use it to plumb the skimmer.

The first project is an upgrade to a 75 gallon glass tank...this NEEDS to be done by the end of June... when my sister is taking the old 65 for herself. The 500 is acryllic, and well...that project has been going on longer than anyone else's I know...In fact, I know several WAMAS folks that are on their THIRD tank...and I still don't have the 500 set up yet. Eric...will it stick to acryllic as well??

Has anyone used PEX, or similar in applications larger than the RO/DI lines? Lowe's carries 3/8", 1/2" and 3/4" PEX flexible tubing, along with a few dozen types of connectors. I'm looking to use it to run fresh and pre-mixed water from basement to first floor. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howT...mprove/PEX.html

YES! I am interested in some help. Do you know of a place near Kingstowne/Alexandria/Springfield that sells the self adhesive? -Carl

Eric, How does it stick? Glue like duct tape? or more like a post-it note? Does it form bubbles under the vinyl? -Carl

Chris, I have spent the past two weekends going from HD to Lowes to HD to another HD. I've designed the plumbing for a CL and a sump for my 65 to 75 upgrade project I'm working on. I get to the store, and they don't have 1/2 the parts, so I redesign on the spot, sitting on the floor of HD putting the pieces together, I get home...and realize I have the male slip 1/2 inch, and need the female threaded 3/4 inch...I have about 150 plumbing parts for this project all over my kitchen counter...3/4 of which are going back to the store unused. I hope this is not an indication of the problems I'm going to have plumbing the 500... My 65 with hang-on-back-skimmer and no sump...is SO simple...but NO...I wanted a sump and refugium...and decided to upgrade to the 75... And now I need to paint the back glass...another trip to HD/Lowes... Sorry...been a frustrating weekend dropping in at the stores in between the kids karate, ballet and birthday parties.... Chris, since you asked...update on the 500...i have the tank, stand, pumps, 2 water change barrels, skimmer, a whole lot of dead LR, and auxillary lighting. I may even have a refugium. I'm still in search of some lighting, a sump and the energy to put a drain in the fish room floor. I wish I had the time and $ to finish it... thanks Jason...I assume I can get it at Michaels or similar... Have you used it? Has it held up to time and salt water? -Carl

I'd like to paint the back glass of my 75 gallon glass tank. The outside back...not the inside back. Any recommendations on what paint (I assume spray paint) would work best? -Carl

Thanks...I'll look at Lowe's again...I didn't see the double union ones last time. Fantastic progress btw...I like seeing the daily / weekly progress...it's taken me 3 years what you've done in less that 3 weeks!

Where did you get the double union ball valves? I can't find any stores in the area that carry them. -Carl

I have a 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank...never used...don't think I'll use it. Let me know if you'd like to buy it...I live near Kingstowne/Alexandria. I believe new they are $75+tax. You can have this one for $65 if you want. -Carl