Finally Ready For A sump!! Answers Please!

[jaiden]

"as you need at that poit."

Pinky icon.


coincidence?

 

[BillyZ]

"coincidence"

hardly!

 

[ellisz]

The gph of the overflow will depend on the size of the bulkhead that will fit in the drilled drain hole in your overflow. I wish I could tell you but I don't know the gph relation to the size of the drain. Should be on the net though. A mag pump can be throttled down though so a mag7 would be pretty safe. A 9.5 might work too but I think that would be about the biggest for a single overflow setup unless the tank was specifically designed for a bigger pump. That is a guess though.

If the tank is an AGA tank you could look on their site. I think they have more than one overflow design.

 

[revhtree]

Thanks for the help, I am just not sure. This is going to drive me nuts! I am ready to set the sump up, I just dont know what size pump.

 

[BillyZ]

if I'm correct, the two holes you have drilled, 1-3/4" diameter and 1-1/2" diameter will give you a 1" inner diameter line and a 3/4" inner diamter line, respectively.

The 1" will be your drain line, and I think will handle 300GPH? can someone confirm that for me? It seems low.

the 3/4" line will handle just about whatever you can force through it, the rate of return is dependent on the pump, not so much the plumbing diameter.

 

[ellisz]

The 72 gal I have has 2 1" drains and I thought the guy that bulit it had a Mag12 on it. I am pretty sure my 75 has a 1" bulk head and a 3/4" return.

 

[BillyZ]

here we go! this PDF is on all-glass' site and they rate their system with a 1" drain and a 3/4" return for maximum 600 GPH. Which sounds more like what I was expecting.

so... 600 GPH max, at a 4' head height, you'll want to buy a Mag-7.

 

[revhtree]

Awesome Billy! Thanks so much!

Also ellisz thanks to you as well!

 

[TygGer]

On my 72g RR, I have a Mag9.5 for mine and it's plumbed with a ball-valve to give me the option to drain some of the return back into the sump. It's also going to be hooked up to a scwd which adds some head.

Don't forget to add the extra head through the plumbing. I can't remember off the top of my head, but a 90deg bend in the plumbing adds quite a bit of head height. If you have room, it's better to use two 45deg bends vs one 90.

 

[revhtree]

Should I use the pump in, or out of the water?

I am going with the mag7, I will also use 45 degree angles. Thanks Alot!

 

[BillyZ]

Using the pump in the tank simplifies the plumbing greatly (you just drop the pump in the tank) but the pump will generate a constant heat. In GA, in the summer you may not want that extra heat all the time. Plumbing the pump outside the tank (you said you were going to use a rubbermaid bin right?) is as simple as drilling a hole for another bulkhead that you can plumb the pumps intake into. That line, you will want to have a shut off valve for pump maintenance.

If you go that route, you might as well plumb in a T with another shut off valve for doing easy water changes.

 

[ellisz]

Are mag pumps that great for external use? I know they can be used externally but I thought they ended up heating the water anyway.

I have heat issues with a mag5 and a 7 in my sump but it was ok until I got the MH's. I need bigger fans in my canopy and I am trying a fan on my sump.

 

[BillyZ]

with most all pumps the motor itself will get pretty warm. So if the entire pump is submerged it will warm the water. If it is plumbed externally I don't think there would be any concerns for heat.

 

[jaiden]

out transfers less heat to the water, but is more likely to leak onto your floor...

 

[TygGer]

Should I use the pump in, or out of the water?

I am going with the mag7, I will also use 45 degree angles. Thanks Alot!

I've heard that some have had leaking issues with mags plumbed externally. There are many pros/cons of plumbing internally or externally.

Internal
Pro - easier to plumb, doent matter if pump leaks, saves space in stand
Cons - adds extra heat, takes up space in sump

External would just be the opposite.

I plumbed mine internally because I dont have space to spare in the stand.

 

[BillyZ]

from what I've heard, the external mag "leak issue" was on earlier designs had a gasket flaw and that flaw has since been corrected.

I have a Mag5 that is plumbed externally on a closed loop and have never had an issue.

 

[revhtree]

Ok got my mag 7 in today with the bulkheads. I am going to lowes to get the other stuff to build the standpipe, and plumb the rest.

I am going to use flex pipe from the bulkheads to the sump, is this ok? So I can move them out of the way if I need to move the sump or clean it. Am I correct with this?

Also reg. cement is what I should use right?

How long to wait for it to dry?

Thanks!

 

[BillyZ]

I am going to use flex pipe from the bulkheads to the sump, is this ok? So I can move them out of the way if I need to move the sump or clean it. Am I correct with this?

Absolutely. I'm not positive of the flow rate for the flexpipes, but as long as you get a large enough diameter pipe, you shouldn't have any problems. Being able to move/adjust the plumbing I think will be a great thing for you for maintenance etc.

When you say regular cement, you mean PVC cement right? If so yes, I don't think it really matters. The stuff I've used I think is a purplish color. Just ask a Rep at the store to help you pick something that will be "Safe for drinking water" that will give you what you need. Just a reminder... Dry fit your whole setup together once first to be sure there are no unexpected "problems"

 

[revhtree]

Here is the genera idea for my set up, what do you think?

 

[revhtree]

Also I dont know what the peice is called that returns the water back into the tak like a PH. The peice I have is adjustable and will be positioned right at the top of the main tank water level. Will I need any kind of holes there?

Thanks.