Question about sump plumbing

shibbyplustax · Jan 15, 2014

I have a 60g 24" reef ready cube that i am trying to set up right now. Have a custom made acrylic sump with a built in filter sock holder. I hard plumbed up from the sump an have a ball valve right at the bottom of the drain bulk head.

I was wondering if anyone sees a problem with using a flexible coupling like the one seen here

to attach the sump to the drain?

robbrouse · Jan 15, 2014

It could work, I just don't want any metal in my tank. The clamps could rest. Anything in your sump area can and will get wet.

Reefing Madness · Jan 16, 2014

Sure, as long as they sealed up for you.

ReeferBob · Jan 16, 2014

My advice is use the filter sock until the tank is clear and then throw it out. I would plumb from the drain down - it doesn't need to be attached to the sump at all. Mine is just resting on the edge of the tank and exits underwater in the sump.

Jimbo662 · Jan 16, 2014

I used the metal hose clamps like that on my last drain...I didn't realize there was a tiny leak that rusted one of them until one day I was in the next room and heard a pop and a ping. Lukily I was home and it landed on the floor. If it had dropped into the sump.

gtbarsi · Jan 16, 2014

I like flexible PVC, since it glues in to standard PVC fittings.

As to hose clamps, if you use stainless you should be safe.

shibbyplustax · Jan 20, 2014

So the only risk is using metal around my tank? The sump is enclosed so there isnt any way anything could really fall in there unless i wanted it to.

gtbarsi · Jan 21, 2014

I do not use metal hose clamps below, at or near the active water line. When I do use hose clamps I use stainless steel. BRS and other sell plastic ones that have teeth that you squeeze together, that would be better suited for wet use. I prefer to use flexible PVC, it glues in to standard PVC fittings, and does not require any fasteners, or hose-barb fittings, so each connection costs less and I do not like hose-barb fittings on my return or drain lines, I consider them a necessary evil on reactor manifolds, the only way you can get away from them there is to use push connect fittings and line on all of your reactors.

Intricateart · Jan 21, 2014

I bought a stainless steel hose clamp at Home Depot and it rusted in days. Even the atmosphere in your sump and stand will corrode any metal in short order. Where there are micro bubbles from a skimmer there will be mist. If you use that plumbing piece I would just coat the bands in a good layer of silcone.

bigfoot86 · Jan 21, 2014

Yea I have to agree with the member above, it is nice using the flexible pvc. You can weld-on glue that to other hard pvc piping and bulkheads. Pretty convenient if you're with tight spaces.

shibbyplustax · Jan 21, 2014

Ok, maybe i will use that instead. They have that at home depot, correct?

shibbyplustax · Jan 21, 2014

Also i can use this for my drain and return lines?

DaveMorris · Jan 21, 2014

shibbyplustax said:
Ok, maybe i will use that instead. They have that at home depot, correct?

No. The flexible tubing at Home Depot is Spaflex and it may or may not fit properly in PVC fittings. I would order what you need from FlexPVC.com. They have true flexible PVC pipe in white, gray, and black. I use it every time I do a set up and love it.