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| Thanks to everyone for their input for me on the unions. It was very helpful. However, I've learned that I still "don't get it"! I get everything that was said but I still can't figure out how to put it all together. When I sat down to sketch out the plumbing connections I would need to use to hook up my pump, equipment, etc and make a list of needed fittings, etc....I totally got lost and started having a mild panic attack (ever get the feeling you are in over your head and quickly drowning? Yep, I got that feeling!)
Could someone help talk me through the plumbing I need to hook up the following configuration?: Oase Aquaskim in pond skimmer (with a 3/4" - 1 1/2" barb outlet) -----> Pondmaster 2400 gph pump (with 1" MPT inlet & 1" FPT outlet) ------> 2 separate waterfall boxes (each has a 1-1/2" bulkhead with 3/4" to 1-1/2" barb adapters. I'm guessing some sort of wye fitting will come into play here but that is about all I've figured out on my own so far). I currently have 1 1/2" flex pvc available to use for the plumbing. But am willing and able to buy smaller stuff if it is more appropriate. I would like to use unions wherever possible so I can easily disconnect and remove the in pond skimmer and pump in the fall. Any help would be appreciated. But, as I said, I'm plumbing impaired, so please...treat me like I'm a 5 year old and cannot understand words that are longer than two syllables. I have another pump that will be connected to a different small waterfall box and gravity fed filter. Maybe if someone can help me with the first configuration, I can figure out the next one on my own (wouldn't that be something!!) Thanks in advance for your patience and input! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Since I can't see how you are wanting to set this up I'm just guessing. Sooooo, Looks like you are going to put your skimmer in the water and attach tubing to the bottom. Next part depends on how you plan to set up those filter boxes and the pump. Are you wanting to use the pump as a submerged or out of water? What brand is your waterfall boxes? (I have to see what I'm putting together.) ;) Will the two waterfall boxes be set up side by side? Different levels? |
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- Posted by jennyb5149 3b (My Page) on Thu, Apr 22, 10 at 13:28
| Hi Karen, Thank you for replying to my message. I have no idea why I'm able to master every other aspect of pond building but plumbing eludes me. You are correct. I intend to connect the outlet of an Oase Aquaskim in-pond skimmer ( http://oase-parts.com/aquaskim.htm ) via 1-1/2" flex pvc to the inlet of a submersible Pondmaster PM24 Mag Drive pump ( http://www.dannermfg.com/instructionsheets/zg105.pdf ). The pump outlet will then be connected via more 1-1/2" flex PVC to two cheapie Pondmaster waterfall boxes (see link below). I tried making a homemade waterfall and decided that it would probably work better to use the boxes. The two boxes will be on the same level spaced about 2 feet apart from each other. As I mentioned in my first post, I would like to use unions for easier and quicker disconnection and removal of the in-pond skimmer and pump in the fall. I found out the hard way last fall that trying to remove flexible vinyl tubing from pump outlets and inlets in 40 degree weather is not easy at all! Thank you again for your reply. For some reason, I just do not have the capacity to visualize plumbing configurations, fittings, etc. I am more of a concrete thinker and need to SEE it to understand. I've tried going to the hardware store so I can actually look at different fittings and try different fittings to see how it will go together but that has just made things worse. Last time I tried that, I ended up standing in the middle of the aisle paralyzed with indecision until an employee finally came up to me and asked me if I was okay! LOL |
Here is a link that might be useful: Pondmaster Pro 1000 waterfall box
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| Jenny, Couple thoughts / suggetions that hopefully help. For a start, I doubt the local store will have the fittings you need. I would recommend going online and ordering the parts you can't find at the store. One source that WILL have every part you need is Indelco plastics Corp www.indelco.com. I buy wholesale through the company but they also have everything online. Pump connection-Intake: This should have a strainer supplied with the pump that screws into the intake. Shouldn't need additional plumbing. Pump connection output: Union 1" sch 80 PVC soc x FPT. 859-010 This will screw directly onto the output of the pump. Thread sealent is not mandetory as the connection is under water anyway. Hose to union connection: If you can get more flex PVC in 1" this will make several plumbing issues MUCH easier. 1-1/2" tubing is more difficult to work with as it is less flexible, harder to hide in the pond, etc. No real advantages when your pump is 1" in and out. Trade name Tigerflex or Spaflex. 1" can be cemented directly into the socket (slip) connection of the union. If using 1-1/2 you will need a reducing coupler 1-1/2" - 1" Soc x Soc PVC Sch 40. You will also need a 2-1/2" long piece of 1" PVC Sch 40 to connect the reducer to the union. Hose will cement into the end of the reducer. This will get you connected to the pump and then it's tubing to your skimmers. Looks like this is where the 1-1/2" stuff should be used. I have to leave so I'll try and fill in later. |
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| Jenny, Do you have a Menards any where close to you? The skimmer has a barb fitting that can take any hose size from 3/4 to 1.5". You will want to use 1.5" hose. To do this you will have to cut the barb fitting so that the last barb coming out of the skimmer is the one that fits the PVC that you have. You will need a 1" plastic pipe nipple that will screw into the intake on the pump you have. Then you will need a 1" to 1.5" bushing with 1" being female threaded. Screw the other end of the nipple into this. Then you need a 1.5" union with slip x slip connections. Glue one end of the union on the 1.5" bushing. Then glue the 1.5" PVC in the other end. Cut the PVC to the length you need to get to the barb on the skimmer. Put the 1.5" PVC on the barb fitting. On the output of the pump you will want to go to 1.5" pipe as soon as possible as this will make a big difference. If you stay at 1" pipe you will get about 1000 gph from this pump but by going to 1.5" you will get close to the 2400 gph the pump can deliver. To do this use another 1" TO 1.5" bushing with the 1" being threaded and the 1.5" being slip. Screw the 1" threads onto the output of the pump. You will need another 1.5" union which will glue on the bushing. The 1.5" PVC pipe will glue into the other end of the union. This PVC pipe will run up to between the two waterfall boxes. Here you will need a schedule 40 1.5" tee. Glue the 1.5" PVC pipe into the branch on the tee. On each of the open ends of the tee glue 1.5" PVC pipe to run to each waterfall box. In each of the PVC pipes going to the waterfall boxes you will glue a 1.5" ball valve that has slip ends. Then continue the PVC pipe to the barb on the waterfall boxes. Again cut the barb fitting so the the correct barb is at where the pipe goes on. The ball valves are so you can adjust the flow to each box. They can be put anywhere between the tee and the box. If at all possible get the ball valves at either Home Depot or Lowes as they have better valves then Menards. Menards will have everything else except the 1" pipe plastic nipple. Some have them others do not. If they don't have plastic you can you black steel pipe. Mike |
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| Lots of good info. Where are the inlets on the boxes? Looks like Mike has it down for you if you are going to be using pvc. To me it's easier to use a clamp rather than doing all of that glueing for the install of unions. Each clamp is going to take a couple of minutes to install where as the glue is going to take a lot longer and much more messy. Now if this was permanent and not going to be removed for winter then I might glue them. If I'm not mistaken Jenny said she was using flexible pvc which is a tubing of sorts. Also any of the parts needed are found at Home Depot, Lowes, or Ace Hardware. |
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- Posted by jennyb5149 3b (My Page) on Wed, Apr 28, 10 at 17:15
| THANK YOU ALL SO, SO MUCH!! This info is exactly what I need! I am all set to go out and buy what I can and order what I cannot. I do have a Menards nearby but the nearest Home Depot is in Duluth, MN which is about an hour and 20 minutes from my house....might make a good rainy day trip. Again thanks everyone for taking pity on a plumbing impaired ponder!! |
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