Plumbing list......parts you cant live without?

[gnashty]

Ive been to home depot 3 times now for my plumbing list. Going to start in a few hours. What are some fittings/parts that you wouldnt consider running a reef tank without? beyond the usual ball valves, unions, etc...

 

[mapleredta]

My buddy has some sort of quick disconnect so he can take the filter socks in and out. It's a pretty tight fit in his sump.

 

[sharkbait]

mapleredta;615696 wrote: My buddy has some sort of quick disconnect so he can take the filter socks in and out. It's a pretty tight fit in his sump.

Wish I had thought of that when I did mine... :doh:

 

[gnashty]

mapleredta;615696 wrote: My buddy has some sort of quick disconnect so he can take the filter socks in and out. It's a pretty tight fit in his sump.

I wont have that problem. I did get a check valve (from a LFS, not home depot)

 

[eandrews]

Bulkheads... coughcough..

 

[gnashty]

aquaculture;615710 wrote: Gate valves, clear check valves, true union ball valves. I always buy extra of everything I am going to be using and return whatever I didn't have to use, beats running to Home Depot/Lowes/Ace Hardware 10 times during a plumbing job, and it sucks getting almost done, and finding out you need one last piece to complete the job, and the store are closed. Plan, plan, plan!!!!!

I did, I bought a ton of extras - Im up to about $250 in PVC alone so Im thinking I have what I need and enough to get $50 or so back..lol

Edit:

EANDREWS;615711 wrote: Bulkheads... coughcough..

now you know I had those! Didnt I give you 6 yesterday...lol

 

[rbredding]

if you've only purchased $250 in fittings.. you'll be back up there...

 

[grouper therapy]

aquaculture;615726 wrote: Most people don't realize how much of your "tank budget" plumbing takes up. $250 should be about right for the new tank you're doing. You may not need them, but I would make sure you have a couple 45 degree elbows for your drain lines and returns, extra pipe wouldn't hurt either, just in case you make a mistake, remember, it is all returnable, just hold on to the receipt. Oh....and use a primer and cement glue, the red hot blue glue is not the proper choice for gluing together PVC such as what we would normally use it for. I spoke with an industry professional about this a few years back, and he stated that the red hot blue glue is more for landscaping.

Did he happen to say what the difference was? Curious is all.

 

[jhutto]

Build a manifold to tap the other needs off....the main pump..One pump to clean and less heat...

 

[skriz]

Rbredding;615729 wrote: if you've only purchased $250 in fittings.. you'll be back up there...

Bah, you'd throw up if you knew how much in plumbing went into my build. I have so many unions and valves, it's disgusting. :yuk:

 

[jeffmuse]

aquaculture;615710 wrote: Gate valves, clear check valves, true union ball valves. I always buy extra of everything I am going to be using and return whatever I didn't have to use, beats running to Home Depot/Lowes/Ace Hardware 10 times during a plumbing job, and it sucks getting almost done, and finding out you need one last piece to complete the job, and the store are closed. Plan, plan, plan!!!!!

What are the fittings called that allow you to easily disconnect components from the system for cleaning (like your pump)?

 

[dawgface]

Unions

 

[crewdawg1981]

Skriz;615815 wrote: Bah, you'd throw up if you knew how much in plumbing went into my build. I have so many unions and valves, it's disgusting. :yuk:

That and you used a crazy amount of spa flex didnt you? Or am I thinkin of someone elses build? That alone could cost $250.

 

[grouper therapy]

aquaculture;615948 wrote: He stated the primer helps clean the PVC and the cement solvent actually heats the plastic together. I know I used to use the red hot blue glue when I started plumbing systems and found it to not do as well as when I used the purple primer and gray cement. There are tons of different solvents for different applications and now it makes alot more sense when he told me that.

I use true union ball valves before and after my return pump(s) in case you need to replace or take apart to clean it.

Strange there is more pressure on my sprinkler system than my aquarium.

 

[gnashty]

We finally finished. My neighbor did a majority of the work including the design since he is a professional and I am def not..

Im not foolish enough to fire it up this late so ill wait until the morning to let the water flow. Tomorrow it will be 7 days since I killed the pump when I found the leak. Hopefully I wont have another wet Saturday..

aquaculture;615726 wrote: Most people don't realize how much of your "tank budget" plumbing takes up. $250 should be about right for the new tank you're doing. You may not need them, but I would make sure you have a couple 45 degree elbows for your drain lines and returns, extra pipe wouldn't hurt either, just in case you make a mistake, remember, it is all returnable, just hold on to the receipt. .

Just finished, luckily I got so much extra stuff and all my reciepts ...but I did have to make a run for more ball valves. :doh

Rbredding;615729 wrote: if you've only purchased $250 in fittings.. you'll be back up there...

Yeah, another $25 worth in the first 25 minutes - so thats about 5 trips and probably one more before I get the skimmer online..lol

Skriz;615815 wrote: Bah, you'd throw up if you knew how much in plumbing went into my build. I have so many unions and valves, it's disgusting. :yuk:

I have about 12 unions and 9 ball valves in a 6 ft stand, its ridiculous

 

[rbredding]

gnashty;615980 wrote: Yeah, another $25 worth in the first 25 minutes - so thats about 5 trips and probably one more before I get the skimmer online..lol

toldya

 

[gnashty]

Rbredding;616000 wrote: toldya

and one last trip just now to finish the skimmer. :yuk:

luckily my Home Depot is literally 2 miles away..