Beginner's 150g CDA Tank

[Brisk]

I thought I would get the plumbing all done this week, but I was wrong. I think the plumbing must be the most difficult part so far. The plumbing itself is not what I had planned out to be because as I dry fitted the pipes, it's not as what I visualized to fit into the stand. I got the overflow plumbing dry fitted. Right now I'm trying to figure out how I am going to plumb the returns with a manifold.

 

[tbrown]

Take your time on the plumbing and make sure you do it right. Get those measurements as close to perfect as you can. Are you using unions or flexible tubing or all hard pipe?

 

[Brisk]

Take your time on the plumbing and make sure you do it right. Get those measurements as close to perfect as you can. Are you using unions or flexible tubing or all hard pipe?

Yea. Using unions and all hard piping for now. I might have to measure some of the pipes again because I didn't realize that when you put the primer/glue on, the pipes will go further into the fittings. At least for the pipes where it has unions. Every other fittings look like it is pretty in.

 

[tbrown]

The part going into the sump, remember if the pipes are submerged they'll bubble but if they're not submerged they'll make splash noises.

 

[Brisk]

The past week, I went got the chance to head down to RAP NY. It was a good first time experience being at an aquarium show. I did not get a lot of time the past week to work on the plumbing, but I got a lot done today. I decided that since I have the overflow dry fitted and thinking of what @tbrown said, I re-measured the pipes and slowly glued them once I was sure of the measurements. I also started dry fitting the returns and figured out how I'll plumb the manifold and the UV (I think). That does it for tonight and hopefully I'll be done by next weekend. Then I get to do some water testing.

 

[Brisk]

I continued to work on the plumbing and I'm about 80% completed. Everything is plumbed except for the left return and the UV, which I'm waiting for parts. The right side return and the manifold came out looking better than I thought. I did run into a couple of plumbing mistakes. The first one was gluing the unions and forgetting the nut. The next one was measuring one of the pipes a bit too short. I was going to order more parts and just re-do that section, but decided maybe I can salvage it and if that didn't work, I'll re-do it. I took a hair dryer and heated the PVC pipe on the fittings until it was soft enough to rip it out. That worked out well.

 

[tbrown]

Cutting short is the worst. You can always cut more off if it's long, but if it's short... Well I haven't been able to find a PVC stretcher at Home Depot lately.

 

[Brisk]

Worst part is gluing it and then realizing it's a couple of fractions short.

 

[tbrown]

I wo k for the water department, copper is even worse!

 

[JoJosReef]

Worst part is gluing it and then realizing it's a couple of fractions short.

Uff, this is why I was sure I'd stay with AIOs, but then got a tank with sump and had the plumbing pre-cut and pre-fit. Hats off to you!

 

[Brisk]

Uff, this is why I was sure I'd stay with AIOs, but then got a tank with sump and had the plumbing pre-cut and pre-fit. Hats off to you!

I didn't think plumbing was going to be this difficult. Even my hands are sore from all the twisting and pulling.

 

[cilyjr]

I didn't think plumbing was going to be this difficult. Even my hands are sore from all the twisting and pulling.

Try repiping a 3 bath house with PEX, then throw in a redrain of 4 inch abs replacing Orangeburg for added fun!

 

[b2smoov]

Try repiping a 3 bath house with PEX, then throw in a redrain of 4 inch abs replacing Orangeburg for added fun!

Orangeburg is the worst. Like wet cardboard.

 

[cilyjr]

Orangeburg is the worst. Like wet cardboard.

With a light sprinkle of asbestos

 

[Brisk]

I'm finally done with the main plumbing. I also plumbed the media reactor to the manifold. The UV plumbing is missing an elbow and will get that installed later this week along with with algae scrubber. With any luck, there won't be any leaks!

 

[Brisk]

Plumbing is all done and started my leak testing today. From what I've read here, I should let it run for 48 hours? So far no leaks *knock on wood*. Next is to figure out if the pipes inside the overflow is done right. I put a small pipe on the main drain. Then the secondary drain, I'm not too sure if I have it at the right height. I'll play around with it.

 

[tbrown]

Plumbing is all done and started my leak testing today. From what I've read here, I should let it run for 48 hours? So far no leaks *knock on wood*. Next is to figure out if the pipes inside the overflow is done right. I put a small pipe on the main drain. Then the secondary drain, I'm not too sure if I have it at the right height. I'll play around with it.

I forget, does your overflow have to sets of weirs or just one? (Top only or top and middle?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Plumbing is all done and started my leak testing today. From what I've read here, I should let it run for 48 hours? So far no leaks *knock on wood*. Next is to figure out if the pipes inside the overflow is done right. I put a small pipe on the main drain. Then the secondary drain, I'm not too sure if I have it at the right height. I'll play around with it.

Glad the plumbing went smoothly!

 

[Brisk]

I forget, does your overflow have to sets of weirs or just one? (Top only or top and middle?

Oh ummm... not sure... just one? I'm using the Modular Marine overflow.

 

[tbrown]

I'd say the emergency drain right to the base of the weirs, primary can potentially be no pipe.