Help me with plumbing! (UNS 90L, Xaqua INOUT, Eshopps R-100

[kristonenicolas]

I'm a total beginner when it comes to unions, gate valves, manifolds, etc. I know I'm going to have more than one question about this so I figured I'd start a thread and hopefully help other beginner plumbers in the future. 

 

My setup includes:

 

- UNS 90L Aquarium

- 1 or 2 Xaqua INOUT Overflow Systems

- Eshopps R-100 Refugium/Sump

- Skims QuietPRO 2.0 DC Pump 528gph or Reef Octopus Varios-2 792gph

- 2x Aquamaxx  FR-SE Media Reactors

 

Here are my questions so far:

 

1. I just received my two Xaqua INOUTs overflow systems. I'm leaning towards using only one set (because of aesthetic reasons) instead of two . Do you guys think I need two sets to avoid any floods or is one good enough? Either I have one kit on each of the upper corners of the back panel, or I have just one kit with the drain on the left corner and the return on the right corner.

2. How do I plumb this overflow??

 

     2a -

     - The INOUT does not come with hoses and has barbed fittings. Do I have to use vinyl tubing? If so, what's the best way to do this?

     - My guess is... Vinyl Tubing ---> Barbed Adapter ---> Bushing ---> Union

 

 

     2b -

     - @TJ_Burton had a good idea of implanting the Herbie system and plumbing his INOUT like this:

     - If I did it this way, would I have to put the pvc inside the fitting? How much would this decrease flow?

3. Where do you guys buy your plumbing supplies?

4. Where can I find 1.5" Red Vinyl Tubing?

5. Any thoughts on the Skimz pumps?

6. If I reduced the drain from 1.5" to 1" would create any problems?

[mcarroll]

2 minutes ago, kristonenicolas said:

1. I just received my two Xaqua INOUTs overflow systems. first off, im not sure if I should have one or two sets. Either I have one kit on each of the upper corners of the back panel, or I have just one kit with the drain on the left and the return on the right.

2. How do I plumb this overflow??

 

     2a -

     - The INOUT does not come with hoses and has barbed fittings. Do I have to use vinyl tubing? If so, what's the best way to do this?

These questions make me wanna ask if you're sure about using this product since it seems like maybe you didn't research much on it beforehand?   (I don't know what it is, so can't say one way or another.)

 

As for your plumbing, in general KISS principles should apply:  Keep it simple. 

 

If you do use tubing, I'd run a straight shot from source to destination on each run you need and avoid as much complexity (valves and other fittings) as possible.  E.g. one length of tubing from the sump pump to the tank and one length of tubing from the drain to the sump, all with no interruptions, elbows, valves or other fittings in between.

 

If you're at all put off by the plumbing, then I'd suggest at least considering a Tunze Reefpack 500 to make your 90 Gallon into an AIO.

 

Quote

Reefpack 500

Comline^® DOC Skimmer 9012: Designed for mixed aquariums or soft coral aquariums with 200 to 1,200 ... mehr

0500.000

  

608.40 USD

 

It includes everything:   ATO, media filter, flow, skimmer.

 

Not cheaper more than likely, but DEFINITELY simpler.  Very slick!!  :)   Let's you skip the separate purchases of sump, sump pump, plumbing, skimmer, filter, ATO, etc.   And integrates it all in the two small boxes pictured which get magnetically mounted to the inside of your tank.

[kristonenicolas]

1 hour ago, mcarroll said:

These questions make me wanna ask if you're sure about using this product since it seems like maybe you didn't research much on it beforehand?   (I don't know what it is, so can't say one way or another.)

 

As for your plumbing, in general KISS principles should apply:  Keep it simple. 

 

If you do use tubing, I'd run a straight shot from source to destination on each run you need and avoid as much complexity (valves and other fittings) as possible.  E.g. one length of tubing from the sump pump to the tank and one length of tubing from the drain to the sump, all with no interruptions, elbows, valves or other fittings in between.

 

If you're at all put off by the plumbing, then I'd suggest at least considering a Tunze Reefpack 500 to make your 90 Gallon into an AIO.

 

It includes everything:   ATO, media filter, flow, skimmer.

 

Not cheaper more than likely, but DEFINITELY simpler.  Very slick!!  :)   Let's you skip the separate purchases of sump, sump pump, plumbing, skimmer, filter, ATO, etc.   And integrates it all in the two small boxes pictured which get magnetically mounted to the inside of your tank.

 

- Yes,  I did as much research possible on this overflow, thank you very much. Specs, flowrate, etc is one thing, but installation is another! There is hardly any info, or any instructions available online. Doesn't even come with instructions.

- its a 90L, not a 90g, meaning its 90cm in length.

- The Xaqua INOUT is an overflow that hardly takes up any room in an aquarium. I'm doing this to try and avoid any equipment in the display tank. So I'm not at all interested in turning the tank into an AIO. If I did, I'd probably have titled this thread a lot differently =P

 

 

[mcarroll]

11 hours ago, kristonenicolas said:

Doesn't even come with instructions.

Yikes!  

 

11 hours ago, kristonenicolas said:

its a 90L, not a 90g, meaning its 90cm in length.

So what are the tanks dimensions or volume?  (Length is only one clue.)

 

11 hours ago, kristonenicolas said:

The Xaqua INOUT is an overflow that hardly takes up any room in an aquarium. I'm doing this to try and avoid any equipment in the display tank. So I'm not at all interested in turning the tank into an AIO. If I did, I'd probably have titled this thread a lot differently =P

Sounds like there's just not much info on it and it's responsible for moving water in and out of your tank, so there might be better options for someone not already inclined toward plumbing.   Leaks are annoying at the very least and can be significant enough to cause significantg property damage. 

 

BUT you don't need to like the options just because they are "better" though.....better is relative.  And learning something new is always a good thing! 

 

Good luck!  :)

[kristonenicolas]

6 hours ago, mcarroll said:

Yikes!  

 

So what are the tanks dimensions or volume?  (Length is only one clue.)

 

Sounds like there's just not much info on it and it's responsible for moving water in and out of your tank, so there might be better options for someone not already inclined toward plumbing.   Leaks are annoying at the very least and can be significant enough to cause significantg property damage. 

 

BUT you don't need to like the options just because they are "better" though.....better is relative.  And learning something new is always a good thing! 

 

Good luck!  :)

Well for a low profile overflow there aren't any options

[mcarroll]

There are always options if you're flexible.  🙂

 

[kristonenicolas]

So a 1" pipe fits perfectly inside the drain of the Xaqua INOUT. Is there any way to make this connection without making it permanent? 

[4x5]

Why don't you use flex hose over those connections? Looks like it's made for that.

[kristonenicolas]

3 hours ago, 4x5 said:

Why don't you use flex hose over those connections? Looks like it's made for that.

I could but my sump calls for 1" PVC so I'll have to reduce it from 1.5" to 1" anyway.