Reef plumbing disaster!!

NakiFantaki · Jun 15, 2017

A few weeks ago I bought my first real deal saltwater tank. I always has the all in one type tanks in the past so I never really understood much about the plumbing. When I bought the tank I talked to the store owner for awhile and explained to him my lack of knowledge in the reef plumbing department. He talked me into paying an extra $150 to have the tank delivered and dry plumbed. Now- I was ready to take the tank home the first day I bought it, however since he said they would take care and explains the plumbing for me when they came to deliver it I decided to go that route.

Fast forward to today. The tank was delivered.. but the plumbing really wasn't done. The guy glued in in what I think is the durso stand pipe. Next to that at the bottom of the overflow there is a hole that maybe has a bulk head in it. Then he handed me a check valve and told me I needed to get 6 feet of "spa flex" tubing and a female slip coupler and some glue and went on his way.

Basically... I have NO idea what any of that means or how to plumb this tank. I have looked online but I still find myself so confused. Other then feeling jipped by the LFS by paying the extra $150, I also feel stupid.

Can anyone guide me step by step on how to get this tank put together? Or maybe point me in the right directions of some helpful online information? I would GREATLY appreciate it!

Broadfield · Jun 15, 2017

Some detailed images, of what you have so far, would help greatly.

Robink · Jun 15, 2017

I would contact the LFS owner or manager and let them know that the guy didn't finish the install. If you paid $150 for them to do the plumbing they should have hooked everything up and made sure it was all working. Just my opinion.

dankreef · Jun 15, 2017

It's pretty simple man just get dirty

NakiFantaki · Jun 15, 2017

Robink said:
I would contact the LFS owner or manager and let them know that the guy didn't finish the install. If you paid $150 for them to do the plumbing they should have hooked everything up and made sure it was all working. Just my opinion.

I messaged the owner on facebook. Haven't heard back. I also sent a text to the guy that came out and asked him what he would charge to finish the job and he said he would do it for free whenever he was in the area next... but I have to have all the supplies ready for him..

A part of me feels like maybe I was under the wrong impression and my thinking of them doing ALL the plumbing was wrong. The other part of me feels like... ummmm what did I spend $150 on!?!??

Sigh.

NakiFantaki · Jun 15, 2017

Broadfield said:
Some detailed images, of what you have so far, would help greatly.

Here are some pics...

NakiFantaki · Jun 15, 2017

And this is the pump I bought for it

Hazmat312 · Jun 15, 2017

Yea you got ripped off. All he did was set up the standpipe and return line in your tank, you still need the pluming to your sump. For 150 he should have done everything and supplied the parts. The amount he did maybe is 10 dollars worth of PVC and labor

Hazmat312 · Jun 15, 2017

what does your sump look like

dankreef · Jun 15, 2017

First go look at some of the systems on this website and see how they are plumbed. You have to use this site as a means to learn. Measure the bulk heads, put pump in sump connect the two. Then follow from pump back up to the return to make a complete loop

NakiFantaki · Jun 15, 2017

Hazmat312 said:
Yea you got ripped off. All he did was set up the standpipe and return line in your tank, you still need the pluming to your sump. For 150 he should have done everything and supplied the parts. The amount he did maybe is 10 dollars worth of PVC and labor

Yea I agree. I mean they did deliver it.. but I have a truck and I could of taken it home the day I bought it!!

Gustavo Martinez · Jun 15, 2017

Wow... That sucks... Sorry bro.... I'd reach out to the owner and discuss the situation with him and see where it goes.... If nothing happens can't say you didn't try and then give them a bad Yelp review...

Keep searching R2R, Google images of reef tank plumbing helps me all the time.... Or even GMac.com... Good luck bro....

NakiFantaki · Jun 15, 2017

Hazmat312 said:
what does your sump look like

Sump is just a 29 gallon with some glass baffles. 3 compartments. Sock/skimmer - fuge - return pump. I haven't gotten it yet.

NakiFantaki · Jun 15, 2017

Forgot to mention that I paid and extra $60 on top of the $150 for the loc line and the check valve.

NakiFantaki · Jun 15, 2017

dankreef said:
First go look at some of the systems on this website and see how they are plumbed. You have to use this site as a means to learn. Measure the bulk heads, put pump in sump connect the two. Then follow from pump back up to the return to make a complete loop

I have been doing a lot of reading online at a lot of different sites. Lots of YouTube videos. I strongly feel like I understand the loop. Water falls into the overflow and down into the sump.. through the sock and into the skimmer.. through the bubble trap and into the fuge and then back into the display after going through the return pump. My problem is the parts.. I'm
Not sure how to measure size.. or what pieces I need.. or what/where to glue and what even glue to use.

Texas Reefer · Jun 15, 2017

Call the LFS. They need to finish the job.

needbiggertanks · Jun 15, 2017

I dont think its about "getting your hands dirty" and that you need to figure it out... you paid for them to do it. Even if it was to just dry fit it, you should have the parts. If it comes down to it and they will not help, you can PM me. I will give you my cell and try to talk with you. I am currently plumbing my new build so i can send you pics or a video or something to help.

Gustavo Martinez · Jun 15, 2017

Gauge your pvc size off the pump for starters...

NakiFantaki · Jun 15, 2017

needbiggertanks said:
I dont think its about "getting your hands dirty" and that you need to figure it out... you paid for them to do it. Even if it was to just dry fit it, you should have the parts. If it comes down to it and they will not help, you can PM me. I will give you my cell and try to talk with you. I am currently plumbing my new build so i can send you pics or a video or something to help.

Awesome. Thanks. It just sucks because this LFS was one that I really liked and is highly regarded in my area. Just kind bummed. I appreciate your help!