Plumbing new aquarium - looking to have my plan reviewed.

[780blaster]

Hello!

I'm planning to plumb my first aquarium. It will be a 73ish Gal display with weir overflow. I've took the time to draw up my plan for plumbing down to sump and back up. Looking for feedback before I order supplies.

I can update the drawing with any changes that are suggested so other new people can use it as a reference.

Thank you!

 

[danreef55]

Hey Blaster,
Nicely done. Here is some input:

• You don't need a ball valve (14) on the second return line
• no need for 15 the water will not siphon up.
• #16 will create a situation where you can no longer empty the return line without disconnecting at the union.
• #14 a valve on the return line should be located near the pump so that you don't have water spills when doing service

Other than that it looks good

 

[780blaster]

Hey Blaster,
Nicely done. Here is some input:

• You don't need a ball valve (14) on the second return line
• no need for 15 the water will not siphon up.
• #16 will create a situation where you can no longer empty the return line without disconnecting at the union.
• #14 a valve on the return line should be located near the pump so that you don't have water spills when doing service

Other than that it looks good

ah awesome, thanks for the feedback!

to respond to your points:

1. totally makes sense. i'll remove this
2. 15 is the gate valve which (from what I am reading) will allow higher precision tuning on the full siphon drain. the ball valve above it to allow quick shut off if ever needed without messing with the setting on the gate valve
3. Hmm makes sense. never considered this (hence why i ask for feedback!). I do like the idea of having a check valve on the return line as an extra point of redundancy in the case of pump failure. Maybe i put this closer to the pump with the ball valve above it. Having unions on both sides of the check valve, if the line ever needed to be drained, just close the ball valve, take off the check valve at the union, woila.
4. Totally makes sense again. Combined with point 3, I'll move this valve train down close the the pump.

Thank you!

 

[danreef55]

ah awesome, thanks for the feedback!

to respond to your points:

1. totally makes sense. i'll remove this
2. 15 is the gate valve which (from what I am reading) will allow higher precision tuning on the full siphon drain. the ball valve above it to allow quick shut off if ever needed without messing with the setting on the gate valve
3. Hmm makes sense. never considered this (hence why i ask for feedback!). I do like the idea of having a check valve on the return line as an extra point of redundancy in the case of pump failure. Maybe i put this closer to the pump with the ball valve above it. Having unions on both sides of the check valve, if the line ever needed to be drained, just close the ball valve, take off the check valve at the union, woila.
4. Totally makes sense again. Combined with point 3, I'll move this valve train down close the the pump.

Thank you!

I like the detail it shows your desire to do it right the first time. I have done many builds over the years and once I detailed my upcoming build I have changed things up numerous time. Got some great advice here on equipment selection. My thread needs to be updated because so much has changed. best of luck

 

[780blaster]

I like the detail it shows your desire to do it right the first time. I have done many builds over the years and once I detailed my upcoming build I have changed things up numerous time. Got some great advice here on equipment selection. My thread needs to be updated because so much has changed. best of luck

Yeah I've been wanting to do this kind of thing for a while now. Definitely want to make sure it's done right! I'm gonna have a look at your build.

Thanks again!