Plumbing questions

[yeahcheetah]

I am working on my tank plumbing and I have a couple of questions.
Is it a good idea to split my return flow to run through a phosban reactor? The reactor outlet will be connected back to the return pipe so I won't significantly lose my return strength since I want to use the return flow as my powerhead. My sump chamber is a little small and I don't want to add one more pump for the phosban reactor and add its heat to water. Return pump is a mag 7, return height is 4'. I have never used a phosban reactor before so I have no idea of the flow resistance in it. Will the resistance be too big to have a good amount of flow through?
Second question may sound stupid. When you guys setting up the PVC pipes, how do you fix them? I guess there is some hooking/binding technique...
Thanks a bunch

 

[masterswimmer]

The flow through a phosban reactor needs to be regulated. Therefore a ball valve is a must. The TLF Phosban Reactor comes with a very primitive ball valve. If you're going to plumb it off your return pump, I'd strongly suggest using a more reliable, pvc ball valve.

The regulating you'll want to do is as follows. If you're running carbon in the reactor, you'll want high flow. The carbon should tumble vigorously in the chamber. However, if you're going to use Phosban in the reactor, you'll want very low flow. Just the very topmost layer of Phosban should tumble ever so slightly.

The ball valve will permit you to regulate the flow accordingly.

The pvc piping can be fixed with straps to the back of your stand.

HTH,
swimmer

 

[yeahcheetah]

Thanks. How was someone able to put carbon and phosban in at the same time? Provided that they need different flow rate.

 

[reefman]

u r right. it is best to use diff pump for each applic

i dont think t-ing off the return is a good idea. it will reduce the flow anytime ur return is t off no matter how it is configure. it is much easier n more efficient to just use a mini pump.

 

[jag10016]

I went to sea vision and got a little tunze pump for $25 that works great on my phosban reactor and even fits the 1/2 tube

I agree with reefman dont do it with the return