Sump plumbing

[bink177]

Hey all, I’m looking to get a sump for my 60 gallon breeder. I’ve looked at many videos regarding the plumbing and I still have some questions.

My tank can’t be drilled and so I’m going to use the eshopps pf-1000 to get water into the sump. What type of tubing should I use? Should I run a trickle line or emergency line? For reference, I plan on getting the trigger systems sapphire cr44 sump or something else similar in volume.

I’m also confused on the return line. How do I connect the tubing I’ll use to one of those return flare nozzles? Most videos online show a setup with a drilled tank. On the brs site I found this return line called “return jet” and it simply just connects to the 1 inch tubing, should I just use this?

 

[Formulator]

Use PVC pipe. Use trial and error to piece it together and dry fit it like building legos. Then when you are satisfied, cement it all together. Just be careful and continue to check fit as you glue because the PVC will go a little further into any joints with glue than they do dry. You can cheat a little with flexible PVC if there are any awkward turns. It is sold as “spa tubing” at the hardware store and can be cemented into normal PVC joints just like rigid PVC with the same cement (blue lava is my go-to). For a 60 gallon tank you can probably use 3/4 inch pipe. I often bring pumps and other fittings with me into home depot to figure out the right adapters to connect with my pipe.

Regarding design, I use the herbie style overflow which needs 2 drain pipes. The bean animal requires 3 drain pipes. Both are good safe options and it will be mostly a question of preference for you. The bean animal might be more than you need for a 60g tank. There are lots of good articles and threads on the different overflow designs if you search here and google.

Regarding the connection of your return flare nozzles (those are optional by the way), just match the size to the size PVC you will be using (I suggest 3/4 inch), or get an adapter at home depot. You can bring the PVC portion of the return up and over the back edge with a couple of 90 degree PVC joints and a small length of pipe. Then connect your flare adapter to the end in the tank. This is mine for example.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Undrilled

The return just goes up and over

Drill a tiny hole in the return pipe, just under the water level. And check it regularly to make sure it's not plugged

To break siphon in case of power outage

We used to use Aqualifter air/water pumps, and a check valve, to suck out the accumulated air in the siphon tubes. So that they keep siphon. Don't know what is used these days