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Plumbing external pump

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Tickyty, Mar 28, 2013.

  1. Mar 28, 2013 #1
    Tickyty

    Tickyty Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I am plumbing an external pump and wanted to run my plans through the group and get some tips to see if I can avoid some pitfalls that others have made. I have a 90 gallon RR setup sitting on a standard height stand, roughly 30". The tank is approximately 20 feet away from the sump. I built a custom stand for the sump that has two levels. The lower level will house the sump and the top will house a QT/HT.





    The sump is a 40 gallon long and will consist of 3 sections left to right, Drain with filter sock, Skimmer, then return. The drain line will have about a 2' head height due to the fact that the line is run along the floor and has to be pushed up to dump into the filter sock. I am a little concerned that this will be difficult to overcome. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/unsure.gif


    As for the return line the plan is to install a check valve close to the intake from the sump. The reason for this would be to minimize the back flow and the need to prime the pump after a loss of power or feeding cycle etc. On the exit side of the pump I will have a T in place with a gate valve on the other two legs. One will be going to the DT and the other will be for WC's. The little giant pump I have is rated for 2150 gph at the 5' head it will be dealing with and that is another reason to have the valve on this side of the pump.


    I will be using a combination of 1" schedule 40 and spa-flex and have both ball and gate valves available. If anyone sees any glaring inadequacies please let me know. I welcome the input.


    Thanks in advance.



     
  2. Mar 28, 2013 #2
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    What size drain line are you running? A typical 90 gallon has one 1" drain which will only safely handle about 600gph of flow
    I would not have any vertical head on the drain line they should gravity drain freely or you will get air trapped which will cause gurgling and flushing, I'm not saying it wouldn't work but it will give you issues. Also the proper place for the check valve should be on the pressure side of a pump not on the suction side.
     
  3. Mar 28, 2013 #3
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    If your pumps intake is below the water line in the sump you should have no issues with it not priming, so the check valve shouldn't be needed.
     
  4. Mar 28, 2013 #4
    Tickyty

    Tickyty Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Thanks for the feedback. The drains are 1". Duely noted on the check valve. I may have to run the drain to a holding tank then pump from that tank to the sump.
     
  5. Mar 28, 2013 #5
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    The holding tank won't work safely either as you will never be able to match the 2 pumps flow exactly, either one will eventually suck air or one tank will overflow. Everything needs to drain freely to the lowest tank ie your sump. You could theoretically use float switches to turn the holding tank pump on and off as needed but I wouldn't recommend doing that.
     
  6. Mar 28, 2013 #6
    ruggerkc North Liberty , IA

    ruggerkc Experienced Reefkeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    Why do you have to run the drain line on the floor? Can you attach it to a wall with fall the whole way?
     
  7. Mar 28, 2013 #7
    Tickyty

    Tickyty Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I could drill an additional hole in the wall for the drain line. Was just trying to avoid cutting another hole.
     
  8. Mar 29, 2013 #8
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    That would be the best way to do it. Since you are draining over 20ft I would also step up the size of the drain line to 1.5" or 2" the 1" bulkhead drain is fine on the tank but the long run the larger pipe will give you more leeway to prevent a siphon affect from trapped air especially with the GPH you want to push. How many drains does this tank have?
     
  9. Mar 29, 2013 #9
    Tickyty

    Tickyty Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    There is only 1 drain. So you are saying to increase the size of the pvc somewhere along the run? Would the larger size need to be carried all the way to the sump then? The reason I ask is I have a filter sock holder that is 1".
     
  10. Mar 29, 2013 #10
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    From the 1" drain bulkhead use an adapter to step up to 2" PVC to your sump, if most of this is horizontal a 1" drain line will siphon and gurgle for sure on a 20 foot run you won't even get close to 600gph before you have issues with it. Is there some way you can increase the holder to accommodate a 2" pipe? Can you drill it out bigger?
     
  11. Mar 29, 2013 #11
    Tickyty

    Tickyty Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Would it be a problem if I ran the 1" through the wall which is about 4' then step it up to a larger size?
     
  12. Mar 29, 2013 #12
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    If the 4' is right off of the drain bulkhead and vertical it should work fine.
     

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