Pastey's 200DD--SPS v. 3.0

Starting cementing PVC last night. Got one full drain line done and got started on one of the returns. My goal was to get the 2 lines with the most distance between them done as they connect to the sump. The other drain is a simple line/90 combo. I have to be honest....I don't like plumbing at all. Especially when there is SO little room and ever 1/16th of an inch matters as to whether or not something will even fit properly. I see why some people choose Spa-flex over hard lining but, in the end, I'll be happier with it plumbed this way.

Got the pump in place and the outlet was making my life a living hell. I think I got it figured out but, until it's in, nothing in certain.

The drain line was in the process of being cemented:


This is the return pluming I started on but did not finish last night. In this picture, nothing is cemented:

 

Have you ever plumbed a sump/tank before?

I did it once and did not like it. I decided right than and there I am not mechanically inclined.

You seem like and sound like you have it under control, guess no one know for sure until the pumps are actually pumping water.

 

I understand that sometimes space limitations sometimes make the plumbing only work a certain way, but every 90 degree bend in the return, is about equal to one foot of head height (read that somewhere). It looks as if you have a 90 right away for the return pump? Perhaps your system is fine with that.

Or, you could see if the 'spaflex' hose would work.

Good luck on the job, and if somethings not quite right after glueing, cut it off an correct it, usually not very exspensive at all to get it just right.

 

Cheryl, this is my first but I am mechanically inclined. While cars and aquariums don't have much in common, there is a certain mindset that transfers. It's a systematic thing. It's the reason I'm very hands on and I have to see things in front of me (hence my MS Paint diagram). You're quite right...we'll find out precisely how good/bad I am at this once I turn the pump on

Todd, the 90s are unavoidable without resorting to flex pipe. I just don't want to use any. As for headloss, that's not really a big deal. I will already be dialing that pump way back. A 2600gph pump should be able to handle the 90s. I haven't made any mistake that has made me cut and try again *knock on wood*.

I'd finish tonight but I think I ticked the fiancée off last night working on it so late so ill hold off and cook her some dinner. Stay tuned for a massive flood and subsequent 200DD for sale or grand success and champagne falling from the heavens.

 

2600 GPH may be overkill. If those 90's are in the drains, I don't think your overflow will be able to keep up. I have 90's in mine as well and I can barely get by with a 1000 GPH pump with about 5 ft of pressure.

 

I won't be running it wide open.

Here is my math:
2600gph @ 0 ft.
I have approximately ~7 ft. of headloss
This brings me to ~1500gph.
Ill be bleeding off the return another 200gph for refugium flow.
Now we are at ~1200.
My skimmer pump is rated for 660 and that's what I want to match to maximize skimmer efficiency so ill be throttling the pump back quite a ways. If my math is off and my pump can't keep up, I can put the Dart impeller back on and gain another 500gph at the same overhead. I don't think I'll need to but the option is nice to have.

 

Using the reducer on the outlet will greatly reduce the flow. If you want maximum efficiency,use 1-1/2" pipe, out of the pump, then reduce it at the end of the run. There is a chart on the Reeflo website that shows the friction loss on various size pipes.

 

Are you referring to friction loss?

 

Yes, its a bigger factor than the bends in the pipes, and more often overlooked.

 

I've already calculated it using Reeflo's chart. Friction loss is ~1ft. My saving grace is that there isn't much total length to my piping.