Cross-plumbing insanity!

[Whiterat]

Heya folks. I'm just getting past my first year with my first reef, which relied upon several powerheads at the top of the tank for circulation in a clunky, clumsy, embarrassing-looking mess.

Over that year I've helped several others start up reefs and have become a devotee of running pipes under the sand with steerable turrets to adjust the flow projecting above the sand bed. This is a lot less eye-gouging but requires planning in advance and screening of pipe entrances. Turrets can be removed to run a scrub-brush through the insanity to a certain depth, but parts of it aren't 'maintainable' and one must just cross fingers and hope.

So, I'm setting up a 54 corner, a real bear of a tank to light well and plumb well. My initial plan was to have three outlet turrets jutting off a single hub which directed flow diagonally up from each of the tank's three corners to create an overall clockwise swirl, then at the top to have two PowerSweeps (I have experienced no difficulty with these if they are cleaned regularly.) in the opposing far corners of the curved front to create some randomization and surge-i-ness. An overflow takes water down to a 30g sump in the stand, then it is returned by a Dolphin DP1200 which gives about a 4fps flow from each of the three corner turrets.

So far so good. I've got the in-tank side all plumbed. Then I sat down and thought about it and realized I could make another manifold with another three turrets paralleling the first three but pointing in the opposite (counterclockwise) direction. Have the return run a SCWD switcher up near the top of the tank so that the clockwise-swirl is slowly pulsed to counterclockwise and back again.

Am I making things way too complicated and insane? I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.

[Whiterat]

Okay. Realized I droned on a bit without really doing a good job of explaining what I was doing. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so...

http://www.bastet.org/albums/album05/ajp.jpg

This is my current undersandbed manifold. I'd like to place one with pipes running right next to the existing pipes, but with the heads pointed to flow in the opposite direction, then set a SCWD up at the top to rotate flow between the two undersand manifolds.

Too much?

Here's another shot:

http://www.bastet.org/albums/album05/ajq.jpg

I'd appreciate any opinions at all up to and including 'You ___head, are you nuts? Get rid of all that nonsense.' so long as it is accompanied by an explanation.

Thanks in advance,

Ratty
Ratty's Reef (http://www.bastet.org/gallery/whiterat)

[Rendos]

That looks like a great idea. I have a 54 bowfront and am thinking of setting up a 92 corner. If I do the 92 corner...I may try something like that. You would definitely need good check valves to prevent back siphoning the tank completely dry.

[Whiterat]

Yep. Multiple check valves are on my list. Do you think i should add the second (counter-clockwise) manifold and the SCWD? Or just stick with this one manifold sweeping in one direction?

Oh, hey, how did you set up your lights? Im building a tall fan-ventilated hood to try to cram in (It SHOULD fit!) 6x55w PC (3 Actinic 03 and 3 Actinic White) and 3 250w MH 10K Coralife's.

Ratty
Ratty's Reef (http://www.bastet.org/gallery/whiterat)

[headhawg7]

You don't have to use check valves. What I did was drill a small hole maybe 1/8" or a little smaller at the top of the pipe, maybe 1/2" below water level, where it enters the water. That gives you a good syphon break and will not cause you to loose alot of your water pressure. This is what I have done on my tank and blows away having to use check valves. My check valves used to clog all the time. Try that and see how you like it :D. HTH, Danny

[headhawg7]

PS, thats a good looking plumbing design. Wish I had done that myself.

[Whiterat]

Checked your gallery, Headhawg, that's a nice looking setup! What's in the 'fuge to the right? Got any closer pics of your rockwork?

This thread has sort of shifted course into 'how to stop siphoning from an undergravel manifold' and I really appreciate that advice, BUT...

I still want to know, do you guys think putting a second manifold down with the outports facing the opposite direction and swapping between the two with a SCWD would be a good idea, or would be too much???

Thanks,

Ratty
Ratty's Reef (http://www.bastet.org/gallery/whiterat)

[connecticut cichlids]

hey whiterat.. thats a great idea with the plumbing...it gives me some ideas...!

[Uncle-Edgar]

Whiterat, I really like the ability to "steer" the water by turning the elbows. I'll keep this post in mind if I ever tear down my corner tank

Hey, headhawg7

Great idea on the siphon breaks. I assume that you check the holes pretty regular to make sure that it isn't being blocked.

[Whiterat]

The steerable tips are a real plus for me since as I shift stuff around I can adjust flow however I like. In a significantly larger aquarium I might even place some hidden ball-valves embedded into large PVC-walled depressions with easily movable rocks atop them.

I put a lot of thought into this. My first reef tank was far, far too narrow front-to-back, and all my current was coming from powerheads 20" off the sand, and it just generally became an eyesore of equipment above the 3/4 mark in the tank.

http://www.bastet.org/albums/album05/aft.sized.jpg

That's out of date but it's the last full-tank shot I've got. Once I'm moved into the new tank I'll worry about more photography.

Ratty
Ratty's Reef (http://www.bastet.org/gallery/whiterat)

[Uncle-Edgar]

Isn't it amazing that even with all of the research and planning we still manage to pull some bone head stuff. This place is so great, I learn something everyday. I guess I figure that if I can save a few people a few $$ by not pulling the same stunt(s) that I did that the world may just be a little bit better place ;)

[jwm2k3]

Whiterat, I would add the extra manifold with the SCWD. No doubt. That would be totally killer...Im sure the livestock would benefit from it.

GO FOR IT!!!!

[Uncle-Edgar]

Ok, I went back and re-read the initial post and totally agree with jwm2k3 for putting the second manifold with the SCWD.

Keep us informed

[headhawg7]

Originally posted by Whiterat
Checked your gallery, Headhawg, that's a nice looking setup! What's in the 'fuge to the right? Got any closer pics of your rockwork?

This thread has sort of shifted course into 'how to stop siphoning from an undergravel manifold' and I really appreciate that advice, BUT...

I still want to know, do you guys think putting a second manifold down with the outports facing the opposite direction and swapping between the two with a SCWD would be a good idea, or would be too much???

Thanks,

Ratty
Ratty's Reef (http://www.bastet.org/gallery/whiterat)
The only thing in the fuge right now is some live rock and live sand. I am going to order my Chaetomorpho(spaghetti) really soon.

I will take some closer picks of the rockwork in a week or so. I will post them in my gallery. Thanks for compliments!

[headhawg7]

Originally posted by Uncle-Edgar
Whiterat, I really like the ability to "steer" the water by turning the elbows. I'll keep this post in mind if I ever tear down my corner tank

Hey, headhawg7

Great idea on the siphon breaks. I assume that you check the holes pretty regular to make sure that it isn't being blocked.
I check the syphon breaks by looking at the top of the water and I can see little streams from the holes but one of my output holes is so close to the top anyways it just takes the water to fall an inch or so before the syphon looses its break anyways. This blows away the check valves. Just my opinion. LOL, what ever thats worth.

[Whiterat]

I think I'll go ahead and start working on that second manifold and order the SCWD then. I really appreciate all the input, guys. I will definitely keep posting here as the tank comes together.

Ratty
Ratty's Reef (http://www.bastet.org/gallery/whiterat)