How to secure the return line from sump pump?

[Thunk]

Hi all, I'm in the process of plumbing my 50 gal. I am using a bulkhead for the overflow side of the tank but I cant for the life of me figure out how to secure the return side. I have 3/4 inch soft tubing coming up from the sump, which connects to a elbow then my lockline. I'm worried the tubing will flex under pressure and spray water everywhere. Advice on how to secure it to the top? Or is this a non issue?

I can post some pics if you need.

Thanks for the help!

[Konadog]

Pic's would help, but if your talking about how to secure your return line in the tank, make your return hook (the hard part that comes over the tank side and into the tank) tight so that it won't pull over the side. The weight of the hose will hold it in place.

[plyr58]

Use a slip fitting that fits into the exterior side of the elbos and has a female thread. then use a hose barb male screw in connector with teflon tape and a hose clamp. It should be fine to use a metal clamp as it is outside your tank and (hopefully) shouldn't get wet.

Here's a link to the connector I am talking about.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~FT7333.html

let me know if this doesn't answer your question and I will try to take a picture of mine hooked up tonight.

[Thunk]

So basically just make it so the line coming fromt he pump to the outlet is taught holding itself in place? heres pics of what I have. Also any ideas on how to make this tubing lay straighter? lol its like a pigs tail!!!


http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/25266/2946627200085399493S425x425Q85.jpg

[plyr58]

Wait until tonight and I will take some pics of mine. I basically used three elbows to hold everything firmly in place. .. Will try to post a pic at lunch, but it may be tonight.

[Konadog]

Don't connect your lock line directly to the first 90°. Add a second 90° to form a hook, then 45°, then your lock line.

[plyr58]

Ok, lets see if i can explain this and make sense out of it.

I used 3 90 degree elbows on my tank for my return line, connected with short pieces of PVC.

Here are some pics (please excuse the sloppy primer):

The first two connect to form a 180 degree turn from my return line. I used PVC to run up the back of my tank, but you could use flex tubing.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/plyr58/Aquarium/DSC_0182.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/plyr58/Aquarium/DSC_0186.jpg

The third 90 again connects with a short piece of PVC and is the receptacle for connecting the loc-line (which I will discuss in a minute)

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/plyr58/Aquarium/DSC_0181.jpg

The loc-line is then connected to the elbow with a slip to female thread coupling as seen here:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~FT4733.html (just choose the size coupling appropriate-I think mine is 1 inch PVC)

Then just teflon tape your loc-line and connect.

A few other notes:

Use black tubing instead of clear where it is exposed to bright lighting. Clear tubing= gunky, algae-fied mess and cleanup nightmare.

Just a couple of more pics of my setup is you are interested:

The other end of my connection shows the same setup to connect the flex tubing to the pvc using

This:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~FT4733.html

and this:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~FT7333.html

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/plyr58/Aquarium/DSC_0187.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/plyr58/Aquarium/DSC_0189.jpg

Finally, DO NOT forget to drill a 1/4" break siphon hole in the elbow below the water line to prevent backflow in the event of a power outage.

[plyr58]

Let me know if you need more info/ pics.

[Thunk]

Wow that helps alot!!! thanks for the pics and great run down on getting it done!!! My pump didnt come in but power head did so im mixing salt like a fool! LOL rough work getting it right. Then I'll get my live rock in there and be on my way! WOOT!!!

[plyr58]

No problem and Good Luck! Let me know if you need help with anything else. I'm always armed with a camera and advice.

[MoonInTn]

Don't know if this will help, but I hard plumbed my return line, (of course with a short piece of tubing to cut down on vibrations), but I cut strips of velcro and stuck to the trim on the tank, and/or, to the tank stand to help hold it in place.