Plumbing Sump/Skimmer - How To?

Finally ready to plumb my sump/fuge/skimmer/return pump.

Any do's or don'ts? Hints/Recommendations?

I'm comfortable with what needs to go where, just not sure about the specifics.

Like do I want to use flexible tubing or hard PVC?
What angles are best?
Do I need to glue everything together?

Thanks

 

Hard pvc will give you the more professional look, but flexible tubing might be cheaper and eaiser.

 

Like do I want to use flexible tubing or hard PVC?

More a preference. The only advantage of flexible hose is reducing the hard turns.

What angles are best?

The less angles, the higher potential flow from the return.

Do I need to glue everything together?

If you're using PVC, yes.

 

Well said. I was going to use PVC for the professional look but just said screw it. I am the only one looking under the tank and flex tubing was easier and cheaper to set up.

 

I used a mixture of the two. I find it easier to use pvc if you need ball valves etc. but I also used flex tubing where it made sense. Hope it all works out well for ya!

 

Thanks everyone

 

Use flexible on your return pump, then ball valve, then PVC. If you do PVC on the return, it's plastic on plastic and might vibrate a bit. I made this mistake. It's not that loud but it could be totally silent.

Other than that PVC is like a dollar for a huge stick of it, go PVC!

 

+1 I went PVC and flex tube where I could. I would definitely recommend PVC for the overflow because you can use a ball valve to adjust the flow rate. If you don't you will get a loud "flowing" sound from the water rushing into the sump.

 

I wouldn't have the overflow adjusted because the ball valve can clog way more easy from there! Adjust the return pump flow valve since that controls the flow through the overflow anyways. A wise man once told me this and I suppose it makes sense