Thoughts on Plumbing Design

[acroholic]

I guess this is all hard PVC plumbing?

I prefer to use hose and barbed fittings in my systems. I have never had a hard plumbed tank. I think flexible hose is more versatile, easier to work with, and easier to change.

 

[grouper therapy]

ichthyoid;543074 wrote: As for check valves, they are an added potential point of failure-IMO. I have used one (a very good expensive design) and never felt comfortable with it. I prefer simple 'self draining' overflows. That way if the pump stops, the water stops. No overflow onto the floor. Except for the already mentioned plugs from algae balls, snails, etc, vitually foolproof.

I'm not sure how they fail when properly maintained on a return line and used in conjunction with a anti syphon hole in case it becomes clogged. I have run three of them for 3 years without failure .They do have to be cleaned from time to time.

 

[ichthyoid]

grouper therapy;543374 wrote: I'm not sure how they fail when properly maintained on a return line and used in conjunction with a anti syphon hole in case it becomes clogged. I have run three of them for 3 years without failure .They do have to be cleaned from time to time.

That was always my fear Dave, that it would get some gunk in it and hang up. As I said, mine was fine, but I eventualy eliminated it.

It happened to a friend of mine. Major flood!

 

[grouper therapy]

ichthyoid;543416 wrote: That was always my fear Dave, that it would get some gunk in it and hang up. As I said, mine was fine, but I eventualy eliminated it.

It happened to a friend of mine. Major flood!

Cool I thought it was something I was overlooking. :thumbs:

 

[rbredding]

in my mind, a check valve with a couple unions in an easy to access spot would work great!

I just know me... if it's tough to get to.. I'll not clean it.. (and it's tough enough on me to change filter socks out weekly - and that takes all of 2 minutes)