Michigan Cichlid Association
General Category => DIY => Topic started by: beach on October 17, 2012, 11:47:37 PM
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I'm setting up my central air tomorrow! Any advice? I'm guessing my way thru this. I wonder if I can get the valves I need at a big box store when I pick up the pvc...
I'll be running the pvc on 3 walls in my fishroom with a bleed-off at the end. I've been told to put too many vs. not enough valves, and use sch 40 3/4".
I also plan to paint the pvc on one wall to match, will regular latex wall paint stick to the pvc?
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I've always used a closed loop system as opposed to having an end point.
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That's the right size PVC IMO.
I'm not sure you'll find the valves at the big box store. If you do they are probably plastic and IMO shouldn't be used. Get some quality ones from www.jehmco.com. You'll need a tap too if you don't already have one.
Too many valves is a good suggestion. Also be sure to run a loop - AKA don't have dead ends or you may have issues with equal pressure being provided everywhere.
I have no idea on painting the pipe. I just left mine white since the walls are white and made it a point to keep the labeling pointed towards the walls when possible. Otherwise you can use sandpaper to take the labeling off.
What size pump/blower are you going with? What size room, how many tanks, and how many outlet?
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I use 1 1/2" PVC in a loop around the fish room.
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If you're using a blower, I would recommend using something larger that 3/4" so you don't have a lot of back pressure. If you're using a linear pump, I don't know that a smaller diameter would be a factor. I remember going to a guys house years ago that had a linear pump, and he used a garden hose that was tapped. He had a small house, but he had tanks spread out all over the place.
I agree with everyone else about having a loop, especially with a blower.
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I have a 2" pvc loop around the room with about 100 valves and a 1/2 or 1/4 hsp blower. woorks good..oh yeah all for sale. blower is $75 all valves $50
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I have a 2" pvc loop around the room with about 100 valves and a 1/2 or 1/4 hsp blower. woorks good..oh yeah all for sale. blower is $75 all valves $50
That blower you have for sale did I read somewhere that it is {gas} powered?
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That blower you have for sale did I read somewhere that it is {gas} powered?
Are you hoping to hide extra tanks from the wife by keeping them out in the woods somewhere?! LOL
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No they are electric. The brand name is Gast.
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I'm using an Alita-60 and I cant do a loop, so I have to bleed it at the end. I plan to remove most HOB's and sponge filter all 18 tanks. Sized 10gal - 70gal. I know the Alita is a little too much power, but circumstances prevent me from replacing it. Got the pvc today, went to have it cut (no saw here) and still need a tap T(or whatever you call it) and forgot to get something to hang the pvc with ::) Hard to think with the kids along! So back to the hardware store tomorrow.
Do most people glue all the pvc together and then try and get it up on the wall? I'm not sure how to do this with just one person since its going to run the full length of each wall... (3 walls in a 14x14-ish room)
and what do most people use to hang it on the wall? I'll probably hang it close to the ceiling, even tho the hanging airline will look kinda messy, hmmm...
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Got the pvc today, went to have it cut (no saw here)
FWIW, they make cutters for PVC and IIRC the cheaper ones can be had for $12-$16.
Do most people glue all the pvc together and then try and get it up on the wall? I'm not sure how to do this with just one person since its going to run the full length of each wall... (3 walls in a 14x14-ish room)
I have a similar size room and made my run around the entire perimeter of the room, putting it up piece by piece. I didn't use glue because I was worried I might have to reposition it. I was trying to fit it as close to the wall and corners as possible and suspected it might take a few attempts to get the lengths just right. Instead I used teflon tape to help provide a seal where the pipe entered the elbow. It worked, but sometimes I think about taking it all down to glue now that it's 100% laid out. The hardest piece to place was the last one that completed the loop.
and what do most people use to hang it on the wall? I'll probably hang it close to the ceiling, even tho the hanging airline will look kinda messy, hmmm...
Hanging it high may look a little messy with all the drops, but it also makes getting to the valves easy when you need to adjust flow. I didn't want to permanently attach mine to the ceiling, so I used small eye-hooks and thin, white zip-ties to suspend the piping. If I ever need to take it down or change out a pipe it will be really easy.
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That blower you have for sale did I read somewhere that it is {gas} powered?
Are you hoping to hide extra tanks from the wife by keeping them out in the woods somewhere?! LOL
You know, when I read that the first time and it was listed as "gast" I thought it was a type-o or something, and I could clearly see the electric cord right there in the pic. I had to ask, no tanks in woods up here Ron, she lets me bring them right in the basement :P :P
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I use these to hang my system
(http://www.bgmsupply.com/productimages/Galvanized%202%20Hole%20Pipe%20Hanger.jpg)
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you guys are GREAT!!! Thanks so much for the help! I dont know why I'm so stressed out about doing this wrong!! lol
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almost done!! will be running the airline and removing the HOB's tomorrow :)
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I'm guessing that you've got established sponges ready to go if you're removing the HOBs so soon?
When I switched from a HOB army to central air, I left the HOBs going for about 4-5 weeks before pulling them so the bacteria colonies would build up on the sponges.
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yeah, I thought about that. I havent removed any hob's yet. I have quite a few seeded sponges but am adding some new ones so I'll be careful about that ;) Thanks!