Small all-in-one reef setup

[bt]

For the bulkhead, there are a few ways to set it up, but for this I'd go interior threads on both sides, and use something like this - http://www.homedepot.ca/product/1-2-in-mnpt-x-1-2-in-barb-elbow/972792 - on the pump side.  The barbs will let you take it off if you need to, but should be less likely to come off on it's own.

Most bulkheads will be threaded on the outside by default, to allow for tightening.

I'd look for something like this: http://www.plastictanks.ca/product.php?prod_id=00359

Going 1/2" the entire way is the way to go, IMO.

Slip just means no threading.

Being all internal, I don't know that I'd worry about a water-tight seal.  Just has to be tight enough that it won't come loose on you.  So no need for teflon tape, etc.

Are you going to split the flow on the display side (1 bulkhead) or the fuge side (2 bulkheads), or have you decided yet?

[bt]

I'll try posting the picture zoom111 linked to directly here, since it's almost exactly what you need for a 1-bulkhead, 2-nozzle setup.  Just need the hose from the pump to the elbow, and a loc-line Y adapter.

[bizfromqc]

Sweet, I can see the picture! That's exactly the find of info I was looking for, thanks to you both.

I think i'd go with the two nozzles on the display size to allow for tweaking water movement. I don't think they would jump out at you too much since they're black and I'm probably going to go with a black background.

Thanks for the link to the HD adapter, that looks like something I'll definitely get. One of the cool thing about the original design (the one from nano-reef) was that the pump's output was wedged in the output hole making for easy removal and less vibrations since it wasn't sitting at the bottom of the tank.  I'm going to have to play around with the placement and mounting of the MJ to reduce noise/vibration.

Thanks

[bt]

The HD adapter appears to be (roughly) the same as the one in the top-left of zoom111's pic for what it's worth.

I wasn't a fan of how the pump was mounted on the nano-reef one.  No bubble trap, and not evaporation-friendly.  Though I'm not entirely sure you need a bubble trap on an internal chamber like that.

Edit: That probably was due to it being a 5.5 gal tank in the nano-reef thread, not a 10 gal tank like the RC thread.  Makes sense now.

[bizfromqc]

Ordered some parts online for the 10G AIO tank.
Decided to go with 1/2" loc-line and split the return in 2 on the display side

1/2" bulkhead (thread on display side and slip on pump side)



Slip/Barb elbow adapter for easy removal of pump for cleaning/swapping.

1/2" NPT connector for 1/2" loc-line

Y fitting for 1/2" loc-line

12" loc-line segment (will be divided in 2 segments of 6")

2 x 1 1/4" flare nozzle for 1/2" loc-line

Next up is planning the number of chambers, size, shape, location, etc...

This is going to be fun 

[bt]

How much did that plumbing cost in total?

I think it's almost time for you to start a build thread for this project!

[bizfromqc]

How much did that plumbing cost in total?

I think it's almost time for you to start a build thread for this project!

Parts were ordered from two places, 45$ total.

Loc-line parts from WorldTools.com, 31$ shipped and tx
Bulkhead and elbow from EBay, 14$ shipped

I would have bought the loc-line locally but the prices were a bit more and not in stock at the moment (Ray's). Shipping at WT was almost the same as the parts but even then, it pretty much came out to what I would have paid locally.

Good idea about the build thread, I'll start one soon.

[ray]

Hi not sure you contacted me but I have most 1/2" Locline in stock

Ray

[bizfromqc]

Hi not sure you contacted me but I have most 1/2" Locline in stock

Ray

That's too bad, I was going to get them from you but when I checked here:
http://raysaquarium.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=10_32

They all said Qty. 0.

[ben_jamin]

hey i have a tank setup kinda similar to what you want   

this is my first saltwater tank and ive gotta say for a small tank AIO is the way to go!
its like having that fancy sump setup except on a tiny tank and theres no possibility
of water on the floor (due to plumbing)

ive just got mine running filter floss and a heater in the rear chambers 
there is lots of room back there i could fit a skimmer in there if need be
or a refugium but the system moves too much water through for that
you could make a separate area and tee off the return line for a low flow fuge
those things over complicate it though for me anyway
small weekly water changes have kept it going strong for the last 4 months
all of my beginner corals are showing growth and decent colour even under
my ghetto lighting setup  (2 23w spiral cfls)

also im running a maxijet 1200 in power head mode, ive modded it slightly for
more flow by drilling holes in the impeller housing
youll want the 1/2 loc line not the 3/8 it holds the pump back too much and
its makes alot of unhappy noises
and to be honest even in my 5 gallon display portion i have dead spots
hence the other powerhead  i do have a good bit of rock through 8 lbs roughly

i setup my whole tank for like $60 so its not perfect but for right now im having
a blast with it learning and experimenting


anyway heres some pictures  theyre all pretty old from a month and a bit ago
i need fresh ones

[bizfromqc]

Neat, thanks for sharing your pictures.  It's looking a lot like what I had in mind for my setup.

I'm still struggling on how to figure out the chamber and baffles height, did you experiment a lot before finding out the correct setup or did you go from someone else's design?

[bt]

Unless you've got something that needs a specific water level (ie: skimmer), the exact baffle heights don't matter too much.  Baffle 1 should be below the level of the overflow - enough for a noticeable difference in water level between the first chamber and the main tank. Baffle 2 should be higher (might as well go right to the top) and up off the bottom.  Make the first chamber large enough for any submerged equipment (heater, a skimmer if you want one), and otherwise make the 2nd chamber as large as possible.

Knowing what you want to put "in the back" first can help with the specific design.

[ben_jamin]

I didn't really experiment with the baffle heights.
Instead I just set a couple goals and made a plan .
Those goals being 1 to minimize air space. In a
Small setup like this you want to have as much
Volume as possible for stability through dilution...
And 2 to have the water fall over fall over an edge
More than once, for surface skimming at the overflow
And airation before being returned bubble free.

So in my setup I have the water on the first two chambers
Set by te first baffle that touches the floor. The other flow
Under baffle is just to allow me to force water through whatever
Media I choose. I set the height to be about an inch before my
Overflow level allowing for surface skimming yet still hold lots
Of water. Water then flows into the bubble trap and return area
This is where you'll see all of your evaporation. I run the water
Level here about an inch lower than the level in the first sections.
I use a gravity fed auto top off contraption to hold this level

That's probably clear as mud I'm gonna add a picture later to help explain

[bizfromqc]

I totally miss your reply, sorry about that.

Thanks a lot for the diagram, that's exactly what I was looking for.

Eric