[reddhaus]

I just wanted to show off my cool little creation.

This i what i will be using to return water to my tank from the sump.

It is all 1" PVC. I glued all of the joints except for the ones inside the tank where the downward pointed elbows meet the short length of PVC (down-tube). This is so i can adjust the direction of the return flow. Since taking this picture i have drilled 1 small hole on each of the down-tubes just below the water line as a siphon break.

 

[hjmtv]

Looks very cool. I did something similar on my returns. You might want to change the outlets to 45s though. With 90s, you will get a lot of surface movement but not a lot at the bottom of your tank. I am able to point my outlets with adownward angle to make sure I don't have any dead spots. 45s would help do the same for you.

 

[Mocerich]

I just made a return for my sump (except only single and 3/4) yesterday and was wondering if the glue is really necessary - it seems extremely tight as it is, and I don't see how there could be a leak. If it is necessary, what glue do you use?

 

[Will C]

i dont glue mine it is unecessary and it allows you to change the design later. i like the idea of the holes for a siphon break. have you tried it to make sure they work yet? keep the 90 in there as you want good surface aggitation for better oxygen exchange. also it will make nice ripples for the metal halides to make shadow waves in the tank with.

 

[mopar man]

Very nice. This is my next project except I'm going to use a scwd(squid)in place of the tee.

 

[Tropical Buff]

Hey mopar man let me know how that works I was thinking of replacing my tee with a scwd as well

 

[mopar man]

No problem, it will be a couple of weeks before I can get to it.

 

[hjmtv]

I glued all the joints that I didn't want to come apart without my help. Since pvc is cheap, if you throw the whole thing away you might be out $5. Are you willing to risk a joint working loose and flooding your floor just to save time not glueing. I drilled the holes too, they work well, just make sure they don't clog with algae. Personal choice on water direction but remember, you don't want dead spots.

 

[Will C]

how do those scwid's work any way? do they rotate by a electric ball valve or water pressure? and if so do they rob the pump of flow like most of the others?

 

[Mocerich]

What kind of glue do you use for the PVC that is safe?

 

[Hellspawn2]

I use normal pvc glue from any hardware store and i also use the pvc primer and havent had trouble with any of my projects. for my return i use 3/4 pvc and make 2 long piece and connected in the middle to make a spray bar style return.

 

[Mocerich]

Thanks - I was contemplating a spray bar too, but my tank is only 45g, sump 29g and my mag 7 return doesn't give alot of power out of the 3/4" pvc, so I'm not sure if it would work out as well for me. Maybe if I'm bored and I have an extra $3 and a drill I'll give it a try sometime.

 

[reddhaus]

quote

Originally posted by Will C

i like the idea of the holes for a siphon break. have you tried it to make sure they work yet?

</blockquote id="quote">

Yes i have tested them. They work but i don't think that they break the siphon fast enough so i will try drilling another hole in each one.

 

[Guest]

looking good

 

[Will C]

the spray bar will work. i have one i made for my return for my 125. it runs off a mag 7 also and work great just use smaller holes.

 

[mopar man]

Will scwd's work off of water pressure the bigger the pump the faster they cycle. They recomend a pump size minimum 50 gph to max.1400 gph and max.5 psi.They say that you lose some flow but since I don't have mine hooked up yet I can't say how much as soon as I do I'll let you know.

 

[reddhaus]

Yes I believe the more gph you have flowing through the scwid the faster it cycles left to right.

 

[reddhaus]

I drilled one more hole in each down tube and it seems to break the siphon alittle faster. The holes are just below the water line so it keeps the surface water moveing without creating bubbles. It creates the ripple effect as Will mentioned above so when i get my MH bulbs installed there will be a nice looking shimmer effect. I like it!

 

[hjmtv]

Will, reefcentral has a ton of threads on scwds. Go take a look. Flow is reduced but not by much. Unfortunately no one has long term durability of the things since they are fairly new. (The latest gadget, you know)