Will this work? Plumbing a tank . . OYE!

[Mini Coop]

Ok - so I got everything before knowing exactly how everything would work . . . but it is going ok. I got the filter sock holders with the pipe that goes down into them to lessen the salt splash. Well, now plumbing it presents its challenges.

SOOOOOO - - - -PVC into a union into 1" Flex pipe, into another union, into a tiny piece of pvc attached to the pipe that goes into the filter sock. So the idea is when I need to change the filter sock, I can turn the drain off (ball valves at the top), undo the union, move the flex pipe to the side, change the sock and be on my merry way. I know this is not the simplest option, but will it work ok?

 

[Idoc]

Not sure I understand... did you mean you have to take the union apart to change the filter sock?

 

[Mini Coop]

Not sure I understand... did you mean you have to take the union apart to change the filter sock?

Yep. The bottom one.

 

[Doclight]

Think it will work. But having to do that every 2 days is gonna be a pain. Can you not pull the tube up enough to pull sock without having to disassemble?

 

[Idoc]

Ok... another option, if possible, is to not glue the last pipe going into the filter sock. Then, you can just pull it free and be able to remove the filter sock. I don't like the idea of closing the siphon valve to stop water coming down the pipe to change the sock. This requires you to have to shut off the return pump just to change the sock... otherwise you will have an overflow (unless you are using an emergency line to handle the return flow). Plus, you will have to reset the valve perfectly after every sock change...big pain in the butt.

 

[Mini Coop]

Think it will work. But having to do that every 2 days is gonna be a pain

Well, I usually only have to change my filter socks about once a week. I agree it would be a pain, but really trying to cut down on salt splash and have it going further into the filter sock by using these holders. Just not sure with the set up of these holders if there is an easier way.

 

[Mini Coop]

Ok... another option, if possible, is to not glue the last pipe going into the filter sock. Then, you can just pull it free and be able to remove the filter sock. I don't like the idea of closing the siphon valve to stop water coming down the pipe to change the sock. This requires you to have to shut off the return pump just to change the sock... otherwise you will have an overflow (unless you are using an emergency line to handle the return flow). Plus, you will have to reset the valve perfectly after every sock change...big pain in the butt.

Ok - that might work. I may have to put the PVC at the top by the union up the wall a little longer so I have more room to keep the flex pipe in the tank when changing. That would make it a lot easier. You are right about shutting the system down. No way!
Also - hello fellow buckeye

 

[Idoc]

Ok - that might work. I may have to put the PVC at the top by the union up the wall a little longer so I have more room to keep the flex pipe in the tank when changing. That would make it a lot easier. You are right about shutting the system down. No way!
Also - hello fellow buckeye

Go Bucks!!!

I don't think you need to make any changes to the pipes above the sump. Only the black pipe in the sump going into the sock. Does a PVC white pipe fit into this black pipe (that looks like what is happening above the sump after the last union)? If so, you can just cut the black pipe in the sump area and slide a white pvc pipe into it without gluing.

Now if the black pipe (say 1") is the same exactly outside diameter as a white pvc pipe, then you can cut the black pipe about 1" under the sump lid, add a 1" pvc coupler, then slide a 1" white pvc pipe (that will go down into your sock) into the coupler. Then just remove the last bit of white pipe when you change you sock!

 

[WWIII]

You shouldn't get much salt spray as long as the pipe is an inch or so in the water. There are actually some sumps designed the way you have it with the union, so it will work, just a matter of convenience at that point. If you can get a happy medium where you can swing the sock down under, out, and away from the pipe and keep salt spray down, that would probably be the best of both worlds.

You could change it out how you have it while the pump is still running by removing at union, but that may make a bit of a mess. Not like it's a crazy amount of water pressure, but pretty good volume depending on return pump size and gph.

 

[Mini Coop]

Go Bucks!!!

I don't think you need to make any changes to the pipes above the sump. Only the black pipe in the sump going into the sock. Does a PVC white pipe fit into this black pipe (that looks like what is happening above the sump after the last union)? If so, you can just cut the black pipe in the sump area and slide a white pvc pipe into it without gluing.

Now if the black pipe (say 1") is the same exactly outside diameter as a white pvc pipe, then you can cut the black pipe about 1" under the sump lid, add a 1" pvc coupler, then slide a 1" white pvc pipe (that will go down into your sock) into the coupler. Then just remove the last bit of white pipe when you change you sock!

Are you in Ohio?

Ok - that completely makes sense! I will check that out - I wish the holder was designed that way in the first place, but I might be able to work with that. The idea of taking the union apart every time is what is making me crazy! And the potential mess. Thanks for the idea! I will let you know how it turns out!

 

[Mini Coop]

You shouldn't get much salt spray as long as the pipe is an inch or so in the water. There are actually some sumps designed the way you have it with the union, so it will work, just a matter of convenience at that point. If you can get a happy medium where you can swing the sock down under, out, and away from the pipe and keep salt spray down, that would probably be the best of both worlds.

You could change it out how you have it while the pump is still running by removing at union, but that may make a bit of a mess. Not like it's a crazy amount of water pressure, but pretty good volume depending on return pump size and gph.

Thank you for making me feel like I may not have done it all wrong This is quite the challenge. I have tried to put unions in wherever I can to MAKE SURE I can get things apart without taking the entire system apart. I didn't want to use flex pipe at all, but it just made sense.

 

[Idoc]

Are you in Ohio?

Ok - that completely makes sense! I will check that out - I wish the holder was designed that way in the first place, but I might be able to work with that. The idea of taking the union apart every time is what is making me crazy! And the potential mess. Thanks for the idea! I will let you know how it turns out!

Of course it makes sense...I'm an Ohio State guy! You could never get this kind of common sense advise from a Xichigan guy! Lol

Sadly, I am no longer in Ohio! I have now settled in Tennessee after retiring from the Army. I don't miss those Ohio winters, lol.

 

[WWIII]

Thank you for making me feel like I may not have done it all wrong This is quite the challenge. I have tried to put unions in wherever I can to MAKE SURE I can get things apart without taking the entire system apart. I didn't want to use flex pipe at all, but it just made sense.

You have done a fine job! Unions are very handy and smart to add in to start with, that way if you have to change something you can do it in a little section! Good thinking there! You're on the right track and will figure out what is most convenient. Usually people only do the major plumbing on a tank once, so it's a great idea to put the thought and planning in ahead of time! You're already ahead of the game by doing that!

 

[lbacha]

I put a lot of thought into my filter sock holder as well, I ended up making the tube long enough to keep splashing down but short enough I could get the sock out without removing the overflow pipe from the tank.

After about 2 weeks of this I stopped using the sock as I addded copepods to the tank and didn't want to filter them out so lots of thought for nothing.

 

[lbacha]

Oh and I'm from Ohio as well, buckeyes got the shaft this year

 

[Flippers4pups]

I'm not sure if you can glue vinyl flex tubing to PVC. I've never attempted it. Now you could glue in a PVC barbed fitting at each end and attach the vinyl tubing that way. I've always used spa flex tubing in situations like this.

 

[Caseyoidae]

While it's still dry you could just make a baffle in the sump like on the eshoppes brand sumps. Sheet of 1/4" acrylic and a couple hours would do it. Quiet and no splashing also no hassle sock changes

 

[Mini Coop]

I'm not sure if you can glue vinyl flex tubing to PVC. I've never attempted it. Now you could glue in a PVC barbed fitting at each end and attach the vinyl tubing that way. I've always used spa flex tubing in situations like this.

Ah - interesting thought. I may try to work with what I have . . . I think I have already made about 30 trips to the hardware store. The local hardware now calls me the saltwater lady

 

[Mini Coop]

Oh and I'm from Ohio as well, buckeyes got the shaft this year

Yeah - they did! What part are you in? My husband and I are both huge Bama fans too - so we were really torn! His entire family is from Tuscaloosa! But we did feel bad.
Yeah - I have a feeling I will be re-doing things. Luckily I have a 100 gallon horse trough that will be a refugium to grow copepods, so I won't have to worry about the filter socks.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Looks nice!