Why is it uncommon to extend the sump to plumb straight down?

[KStatefan]

Your stand is so clean! Those flex tubes look solid, do you have any complaints with them? I’m still undecided overall on the plumbing, but I think it’s interesting seeing everyone’s setup and skimming forums to find their choices

No I have not touched them since start up three years ago.

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

On a drain that’s properly sized, which most out of the box tanks are, it’s okay to have a couple 90s. The siphon is so strong. With proper union locations and maintenance, it’s a breeze.

On return pump plumbing, yes the less hard turns the better for head pressure. An upsized pump doesn’t care.

Forgive my mismatch colors. I’m just not picky about plumbing. When the door is on, my tank looks great.

 

[Rjukan]

My roller mat has that kinky tube and I was thinking something like your second one for my return.. are either of them annoying in any way, maybe loud, or cleaning or idk lol

Nope, they are both fine and zero maintenance. They have been that way since I started the tank over 6 years ago. Haven't touched them once lol.

Oh, and I like the bendable one because I just pull it up and out of the way when I change media in my cup. I haven't used filter socks in a long time. So, maybe I have touched the drain many times, now that I'm thinking about it.

 

[NancyFish]

It would not be as cool. Gotta have cool plumbing, the more complex the better. My real reason is salt spray on the back wall, having access to the back side of the sump, room for cables and electrical cords.

You mentioned salt spray on the back wall. I’m debating on building a stand and if so how tight to make everything. How often do you need to clean the back or sides of the sump etc.. like your ideal setup, how tight would the sides be to the sump if controllers weren’t a worry?

 

[Cichlid Dad]

You mentioned salt spray on the back wall. I’m debating on building a stand and if so how tight to make everything. How often do you need to clean the back or sides of the sump etc.. like your ideal setup, how tight would the sides be to the sump if controllers weren’t a worry?

I have yet to have to clean the outside of my sumps. But I have room enough to get my hand around all sides. I run a 40 breeder sump on my 75 gallon but it sits outside of the stand on the side. This video is when I first put the system together a year ago

 

[SpyC]

You could soft plumb it all too. Even less to do for that.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

You could soft plumb it all too. Even less to do for that.

This. Silicone tubing is the way.

 

[SpyC]

This. Silicone tubing is the way.

I really tried hard plumbing, but it was too much effort for looks I'd never see. Silicone tubing off amazon is cheap and easy.

 

[NancyFish]

I really tried hard plumbing, but it was too much effort for looks I'd never see. Silicone tubing off amazon is cheap and easy.

I just want whatever is less likely to leak, I thought that would be hard tubing but at the same time soft would require less connections. I thought a straight plumb down would be worthwhile but not sure yet.

 

[SpyC]

I just want whatever is less likely to leak, I thought that would be hard tubing but at the same time soft would require less connections. I thought a straight plumb down would be worthwhile but not sure yet.

The best way to minimize leak risk is to keep the number of parts to a minimum. The more peices you have to connect the greater the chances you have improper glueing or clamping. That being said, I've never had hard plumbing leak and once you have it all leak tested, you should have no issues. Silicone tubing plumbing makes it suoer easy to plumb imo. Also, fewer fumes since you aren't gluing anything.

Either option will work, but do what you think is best for your skillset/experience and needs. If you can run straight up/down, then then I would makebthat work. This is easier with internal overflow, but very hard with external because most stock stands don't go far enough back to have the sump directly below the overflow and you'll have a few bends or elbows

 

[Tamberav]

If you have the bottom drilled then it’s a straight shot down. My deep blue tank was that way.

 

[Tamberav]

I just want whatever is less likely to leak, I thought that would be hard tubing but at the same time soft would require less connections. I thought a straight plumb down would be worthwhile but not sure yet.

Most plumbing is glued/fused together, I wouldn’t be worried about it leaking. Generally leaks are from the tank itself but ofc it’s possible around bulkheads or such.

While not ideal, if it were to happen, a small leak in plumbing will actually stop itself, salt creep seals it off. Tiny leaks don’t keep flowing.

Biggest advantage of a straight shot isn’t leaks but no reduced flow and reduction in noise.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Mine are not straight but but i used flex pvc to keep them as smooth as possible. I did thnik that was one advantage of the 100INT over the 100EXT

Nice

 

[RocketEngineer]

Here is the back of my previous tank.

You can just make out the three drain lines. I added a slight jog to get them into the sump section but the siphon in the center is a straight drop.

The stand was designed with this in mind. If you build your own, you cans build it as you like.

 

[NancyFish]

Mine are not straight but but i used flex pvc to keep them as smooth as possible. I did thnik that was one advantage of the 100INT over the 100EXT

I’m leaning more towards this flex pvc, I have a ton of sch 40 in my cart but this just seems easier to get perfect alignment with less joints

Do you have to do thread slip from the overflow/return bulkheads, or can the pipe just go in and use glue? I’m still waiting on my modular marine overflow to be delivered so I’m not sure what to have on hand for that part.

 

[KStatefan]

I’m leaning more towards this flex pvc, I have a ton of sch 40 in my cart but this just seems easier to get perfect alignment with less joints

Do you have to do thread slip from the overflow/return bulkheads, or can the pipe just go in and use glue? I’m still waiting on my modular marine overflow to be delivered so I’m not sure what to have on hand for that part.

I assume you will get slipxslip bulkheads with you overflow. I switched mine to the threaded so I could place a nipple in between the bulkhead and union.

I like the flex on my drains since you can make smooth transitions. I would not try to make tight bends with it.

 

[NancyFish]

I assume you will get slipxslip bulkheads with you overflow. I switched mine to the threaded so I could place a nipple in between the bulkhead and union.

I like the flex on my drains since you can make smooth transitions. I would not try to make tight bends with it.

I saw your unions are up close. What did you use to attach your sump union, it looks like a bend joint. Did you have to use a heat gun for your flex at all, I doubt I’d have more curves than what your tank showed there.

 

[KStatefan]

I saw your unions are up close. What did you use to attach your sump union, it looks like a bend joint. Did you have to use a heat gun for your flex at all, I doubt I’d have more curves than what your tank showed there.

The sump came with 1" pipe threaded fittings.
1" pipe short schedule 80 pipe nipple
I mixed parts from my six unions to get them to be slip x pipe
45 degree street elbow

then the flex pvc to the overflow box.

 

[NancyFish]

The sump came with 1" pipe threaded fittings.
1" pipe short schedule 80 pipe nipple
I mixed parts from my six unions to get them to be slip x pipe
45 degree street elbow

then the flex pvc to the overflow box.

Thank you for showing, I haven’t seen those variants.

So the 1” street elbow connects seamlessly into the 1” union while allowing the 1” flex pvc to get inserted into the elbow without any loss in size?

It’s such a smooth transition in your photo. I think I’ll definitely order to see if it makes sense in our setup.

 

[KStatefan]

Thank you for showing, I haven’t seen those variants.

So the 1” street elbow connects seamlessly into the 1” union while allowing the 1” flex pvc to get inserted into the elbow without any loss in size?

It’s such a smooth transition in your photo. I think I’ll definitely order to see if it makes sense in our setup.

Just the normal fitting size. The street allows you to just have one glue joint and no pipe required.