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Closed Loop plumbing advice needed

yellojello

yellojello

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I have a Waveline 2500 coming in for my closed loop, but wanted to get some advice.

Currently, at the bottom of my running tank is a 3/4 bulkhead with barb fitting, and 1" bulkhead with barb fitting. The 1" will input into pump and 3/4" output. I'm not sure if I should mix and match hard pvc pipes with hoses, or just keep all hoses. Also, if I need true union ball valves, or just regular valves with unions on the pump only, etc. Thanks!

The pump has 3/4" male threads on both sides.

Quick estimate:
1" barb bulkhead > 1" hose > 1" barb male threaded > 1" true union ball valve > 1" male threaded to 3/4" barb adapter > 3/4" hose > 3/4" barb male threaded > 3/4" union > 3/4" PUMP > 3/4" union > 3/4" barb male threaded > 3/4" hose > 3/4" barb male threaded > 3/4" true union ball valve > 3/4" barb male threaded > 3/4" barb bulkhead
 
Personally, if it were me, I'd probably use hard plumbing. I'd also get true union ball valves to make maintenance a lot easier. The extra money you spend on it will be worth it.
 
But why hard plumbing, and why is a true union better than a separate ball valve and separate union? If he's asking questions you can't assume he understands why you'd do it that way.
My one pice if advice is this, use quality ball valves that cost like $10 from a store like Ewing irrigation instead of the crappy $5 hardware store ones. They will turn easier and last longer
 
Thoughts:

Hoses tend to leak, and the barb fittings really restrict the flow.
(Compare the inside of a 3/4 barb with a 3/4 pvc pipe)

Hoses reduce vibration, and are a lot easier to install than hard plumbing.
Especially around tricky corners in hard to get to spots.

Is that pump meant to be external?
Be warned that those threads are NOT standard tapered pipe threads.
If you connect to standard PVC, use a lot of teflon tape and silicone, or they will leak.

No matter what, you probably need a mixture of pvc/hose.
Since you have to use hose, make the best of it. So PVC fittings, but no pipes.

Suggestions:
Stick with 1" as much as possible, since 3/4 barbs reduce flow.
Each side : Long 1" hose -> 1" barb-pvc -> 1" valve+union -> adapter 1" to 3/4" pvc -> 3/4 Pump
But note warning above about making sure pump does not leak.
 
Coral reefer said:
It is designed of external use. I wouldn't use any barbs except the ones that come with pump personally
Click to expand...

Internal/external design use in that case is more of a thermal issue.

The problem is the threads. They are straight, not tapered, so do not seal up correctly when
used with standard PVC pipe threads. It also stresses them, so prone to cracking.
 
Coral reefer said:
I'm
Not sure what you talking about? The barbs that come with the pump seal up good, and can easily attach to flexible hose.
Click to expand...
Those are fine.

The pump itself has what look like normal male pipe fittings. (Take the barb fittings off)
But those fittings are not tapered.
Basically: Pump is meant to be used with provided barb fittings, so if you hard-plumb it
to a standard pipe fitting, it may leak.
 
For sealing threaded connections Teflon paste works even better. Not as worrisome about cracking a fitting and it lubricates things so you can tighten it easily.

Whatever you do make sure your bulkheads are properly installed and everything is water tight. I had improperly installed closed loop bulkheads on a 140g tank that started to leak. Yeeeah that was not fun.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 
tygunn said:
For sealing threaded connections Teflon paste works even better. Not as worrisome about cracking a fitting and it lubricates things so you can tighten it easily.
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree with that statement. PVC fittings are cracked by OVER tightening!

NPT fittings are tapered. The more you tighten, the more force to split the female fitting. Lubrication via paste or tape just makes it easier to split the fitting.

The correct way, from the manufacture:
 
aqua-nut said:
I respectfully disagree with that statement. PVC fittings are cracked by OVER tightening!

NPT fittings are tapered. The more you tighten, the more force to split the female fitting. Lubrication via paste or tape just makes it easier to split the fitting.

The correct way, from the manufacture:
Click to expand...
Yes, very true, but I've cracked a cheap pump fitting by using too much Teflon tape (apparently more is not better. Ha-ha). I've also cracked a cheap plastic garden hose fitting when trying to seal with Teflon tape.

I do agree, however that tightening the correct amount is imperative. I'm glad you clarified as I've always done fittings with paste as in the video. Hand tight and then a couple turns with wrench.



I was

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 
After yet another cracked pipe a few weeks ago, I barely hand tighten at all now.
I just use a little teflon and silicone, and let it dry first.
As a bonus, they are easy to take apart later.
 
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