Just had to get another shot of the chrome grill...hey whats a project without chrome?
Next a view behind the tank. The Iwaki puts out a 1" PVC pipe up the right side of the back of the tank. I T this to make right and left returns. Both of the branches go to their own SCWD (Hooking them up tomorrow) and then from there to two returns on each side for a total of four returns. The 1" pipe to the left side of the tank was about 3 feet long and put alot of strain on the T portion of the upright, so I used a metal pipe bracket for a 3/4" pipe bolted to the back of the stand to make a 3/4" PVC upright to support the left side. This upright has NO flow in it, it is just support. I contemplated gluing this on to the 1" pipe, but you can see I just drilled a hole through the 3/4" and used the ever-present ZIP TIE to make a secure junction. You can see the barb fitting here that will go to 3/4" tubing to the SCWD. I have heard good things about the SCWDs, but I do NOT like that they can't be plumbed in. I got fancy with some pvc fittings to make the 45 degree elbow with a FPT threading for the barb to go into... also notice PLENTY of PTFE pipe thread tape...I use 3 to 4 LAYERS...people say to use 3 to 4 turns, but this stuff can not realistically be put on too much, and I like to make sure it is right the first time. Also, I may have mentioned previously, I found some "gator grip" strap wrenches at Walmart for $9 that make tightening PVC fittings a breeze..I highly recommend them. The lighting wires also exit on the left to head underneath the stand.
Here you can see the right side of the return with the 1" coming up from the Iwaki. It also has a barb fitting right off the right side of the T. All the Blue you see is the PVC cement I use. My tips for PVC gluing are use the "purple primer" (yes that's what it's called) to soften the outer layer of pvc, then use the Oatey brand Rain-N-Shine glue...fast setting and strong, it's also blue so you can see if you missed a spot. Just don't get it on your hands..it's H@#$ to get it off.
