Putting together a return line for my tank

[A_Lee]

I am going to get my cube tank drilled next week, and I want to start ordering pieces to assemble the return line from my sump to my tank. What pieces would I need?
I am thinking of using mainly 1" spa flex tubing, with a ball valve up to control water flow. Anything else I need to get/do when plumbing?

return pump --> spa flex tubing --> ball valve --> spa flex tubing --> 90* PVC elbow --> bulkhead

This is the first time I will be doing any of this, so it is all new to me - any advice or guidance is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[DurTBear]

Hey Ant! I'm doing this for the first time as well and I would include a slip union along your line for easy disconnect and maintenance. I am going to place a slip union close to the return pump so I can easily disconnect the pump for cleaning/maintenance/etc.

 

[alve]

I have never used spa flex tubing but have vinyl tubing going to a union before it goes into PVC pipe and then again vinyl tubing to the bulkhead. I like the vinyl tubing to prevent vibrations and with the union it is very easy to remove the pump for maintenance.

This is a picture of my sump with the return pump in the middle:

 

[A_Lee]

Thanks for the feedback!
Durwin - good thinking about the being able to disconnect the pump for servicing! The slip union is a must have. Are you going to use a ball valve?

Alve - thanks for the picture - always helps to have visuals!

return pump -> vinyl -> slip union -> vinyl -> ball valve -> vinyl -> 90* PVC elbow -> bulkhead

How does this sound?

 

[DurTBear]

Yeah, I think I'm going to include a ball valve to control the flow. Some have said it's not good for the pump to restrict the flow by using a ball valve on the return line but it seems like a lot of people do it so I'll still probably include one. The question I have is whether to include one on the overflow line. I've heard people use one (or a gate valve) to slow down the flow if the drain is loud. I guess if you slow down the drain, there is less air in the drain line which makes it more quiet.

 

[alve]

Sounds good. That's about the setup I had on my 100g. When I upgraded tank and did everything new I decided to put a T in the return line that returns into the sump. I don't know if it is true but I read a lot of times that restricting the flow with a ball valve will reduce the pump life. With a T going back to the sump you do not restrict the pump, just divert water back.

I don't think it really matters that much, it worked fine with the bal valve on my old setup as well.

 

[alve]

Looks like you beat me to that Durwin. Don't put balvalves to restrict your overflows, if your return is pumping more then what your overflow is draining you will have a problem.

 

[Elite]

draw it out.. much easier when you go buy parts.. Don't think you can make it in one trip .. It will be 2 or 3 ;D ..

 

[A_Lee]

Durwin - I have a gate valve on my overflow line - makes sense to me, just in case I want to stop, or adjust the amount of water going into the sump; seems to me it would be nice to be able to do so when you need to.
I think I may put a ball valve on my return line, and just leave it all the way open. But just like the gate valve on the overflow line, should a situation arise where I need to limit or make sure no water comes back down into the sump, it would be nice to have the ball valve there so I can do just that.

alve-I've heard the same thing regarding restricting too much flow from the pump

Phong-I am going to try and get everything in one shot

Is there anything else I need to know when putting all of the plumbing together? How do you hold the pieces of PVC together?

 

[Raddogz]

I use spaflex on my return and drain lines - they work fine.

I do not restrict my return lines either or at leas as much as I can help it. The more angles you put in the return lines will somewhat lessen the flow anyway.

 

[A_Lee]

I don't plan to have too many (if any) bends and turns and swirls in my return line anyways ... was hoping to literally just connect the return pump to the bulkhead and call it a day

 

[Elite]

you shouldn't put the gate valve on the drain. Something got stuck at the valve, you will have a flood.

remember some pumps don't like to be restricted. you damage the pump in the long run.

 

[A_Lee]

I have a backup drain to prevent flooding

 

[Elite]

that's cool then..

 

[A_Lee]

What do you all use to prevent your plumbing from leaking? I have seen some people just use Teflon tape?

 

[sfsuphysics]

PVC cement + primer... nothing else. If it's a screw in connection, then yes teflon tape, however if it's a slip connection teflon tape won't hold out in the long run.

 

[A_Lee]

I'm assuming PVC cement does exactly like I think it does
What does primer do?

 

[sfsuphysics]

it cleans and softens the pipe so the cement will grab better and make for a MUCH stronger bond. It's not absolutely necessary, however you do risk failure down the road.

 

[DurTBear]

You can use teflon tape for the threaded parts. For the rest, you just glue them. Use the primer first (it's a solvent to remove grease, dirt, etc.) and then add glue and place the pipe in the fitting. Give it a little twist to really seal it.

 

[Elite]

I've never use the primer and never had a problem. I clean the pipe really good before glueing though.