Slowly starting a salty tank

[Andrew_B]

I'll be adding an elbow inside the tank and pointing it up. It will be a solid 1.5" higher than the highest point on the main drain.

The hose size actually makes sense, you obviously don't need a narrow return for max pressure and water movement with all these powerheads going, so may as well make it as smooth flowing as the drains

[myjohnson]

Did you look into a gate valve?

I have the same ball valve from HD and it's kind of hard to adjust. Get the exact amount of flow can be tricky. It take some adjusting but doable with a ball valve.

Many on the forums suggest a good gate valve over a ball valve but I haven't been able to fine one around town yet.

[Darbex]

I dont know this Herbie. But why do you have the return and the drain going into the same chamber? I would put them at opposite ends.

[Bedlamer]

Did you look into a gate valve?

Many on the forums suggest a good gate valve over a ball valve but I haven't been able to fine one around town yet.

+1 I've read the same as Thai about the gate valve being easier to finely adjust compared to the ball valves. Thai have you checked with these guys to see what they stock locally?

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/search.shtml?searchQuery=schedule+40+gate+valve&op=search&Ntt=schedule+40+gate+valve&N=0&GlobalSearch=true&sst=subset

[Bedlamer]

why do you have the return and the drain going into the same chamber? I would put them at opposite ends.

If I read the OP correctly, they are both drains, the one in the middle being the emergency drain, and it looks like he hasn't hitched up his return line yet.

[Bedlamer]

I dont know this Herbie.

Herbie is this dude...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344892

[myjohnson]

I dont know this Herbie. But why do you have the return and the drain going into the same chamber? I would put them at opposite ends.

lol, only cool kids know Herbie.

[myjohnson]

+1 I've read the same as Thai about the gate valve being easier to finely adjust compared to the ball valves. Thai have you checked with these guys to see what they stock locally?

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg...rue&sst=subset

I have not. I was really looking for something locally. Dont feel like messy with shipping for one little thing.

@Andrew, you might want to cut the drains a little higher too. Make room for a filter shock. I can't really tell how low the drains really are so you might have the right height already.

[Bedlamer]

Thai have you checked with these guys to see what they stock locally?

I have not. I was really looking for something locally. Dont feel like messy with shipping for one little thing.

They have 5 locations in the 713 area code, and keep a fair amount of items in stock. So there might not be shipping involved.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/branchSearchResults.shtml?currentAction=searchBranch&branchSearchSuccess=success.branchsearch&branchSearchError=error.branchsearch&searchType=areacode&input=&searchValue=713&x=39&y=19

Try giving them a call and let us know what you find out.

[eklikewhoa]

you could probably find it at Northern tools as well.

[myjohnson]

Thai have you checked with these guys to see what they stock locally?



They have 5 locations in the 713 area code, and keep a fair amount of items in stock. So there might not be shipping involved.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/branchSearchResults.shtml?currentAction=searchBranch&branchSearchSuccess=success.branchsearch&branchSearchError=error.branchsearch&searchType=areacode&input=&searchValue=713&x=39&y=19

Try giving them a call and let us know what you find out.

Maybe this weekend. I'll check them out. I still don't know why HD doesn't have it.

[Bedlamer]

Maybe this weekend. I'll check them out. I still don't know why HD doesn't have it.

Nor Lowe's. It must be the quick on off of the ball valve is more popular than the slower but more percise gate valve for most applications. Still its such a simple thing you would figure they would be commonly available.

[Andrew_B]

Sorry, just got home from work. Yeah Darbex, those are both drains - I haven't decided if I'm using pvc or eheim tubing for the return yet.
Thai, the drains are about 1.5" from the bottom, about what height should they be at roughly? There will be a Skimmer in the same compartment. I never really searched for different ball/gate valves, just figured I'd give this one a shot. Seems like it's easily adjustable when its all the way open, but when it gets to half closed, adjustments are hard. Should I be using Micron socks around the drains too? To keep garbage out of the skimmer?

[myjohnson]

For complete silence you want the drain opening to be under water or elbowed right on top of the water level.

I would leave it as is and cut latter depending on how much noise you get.....if any.

I would also use micron sock. Lol, I always have at least 3-4 so I can change them out every few days then wash them.

[Andrew_B]

Yeah, it should be completely submerged. Figured I should use socks so my skimmer lasts longer. I'll have some coarse filter after my refugium before the return, but that won't save the skimmer.

I'm looking at rigging up a gravity feed ATO. See if I can find some kind of container to bolt into the bracing of my stand above my sump. Or I bet this PM sump is strong enough to hold a container sitting ontop of the return section. If the float drops, water drops straight down to top it off. Found a mini float valve on ebay, its about the size of a ping pong ball. If I tossed that by the return pump and the proper height, it should keep proper water level in theory right?