How to plumb a sump

Diagram I found online that might work?

 

I tried not to glue any of mine and after weeks worth of chasing leaks around basically all my plumbing is glued now.

 

The sump is mark identical to the way mine is. The difference in plumpening is that I split the drain and sent one to fuge and the other to skimmer. I have a valve on the drain as it comes from bulkhead, and one on each before drains into fuge and skimmer. That way I can control the amount of water that goes to each.

 

I would only place a valve on the branch circuit feeding the fuge, never ever on the overflow itself or you are asking for a flood unless you have dual overflows with the second unrestricted. I use all threaded fittings and bulkheads so things can be taken apart and cleaned if needed or changed if I decide to move or add something in the future. I hate to see good fittings cut out and thrown away if you discover a drip somewhere.

I have a Bulkhead Installation Tips sticky post on most of the reef forums that goes into detail on how to install and plumb bulkheads and fittings. You might also check out www.melevsreef.com for lots of good ideas.

 

Food for thought after reading AZ post. If you do end up having to cut PVC in the future; it is a PAIN IN THE ARSE to keep the pvc debris out of your sump. I've had to do it a few times and had to saran wrap and tape off everything. Last thing you want is one of your little guys ingesting PVC shavings.

 

I was "gifted" a frag setup a year ago. Well, because of gluing and no pre-planning at all, I couldn't even get the tank off of the stand. And let me tell you, this was just a slap-together stand. I had to balance the tank and then cut the PVC drain off at the same time. Then I had to re-plumb it. NOT without getting a threaded union.

No tank is ever free; sigh.