How to mount a reservoir directly on top of a pump

[dannyboy2233]

Hey guys,
So I've been researching WC setups for quite some time now, and I've seen a few that involve placing the reservoir directly on top of the pump. This is very aesthetically pleasing to me, as well as seems functional.
How does one go about this? What special fittings are needed?

 

[manofchalk]

There are some reservoirs where you can just simple screw the pump in.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11220/ex-res-233/XSPC_Tank_Reservoir_-_Laing_D5_MCP655_w_Blue_LED_Light_-_Acrylic.html?tl=g30c97s152
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7272/ex-pmp-63/XSPC_Laing_DDC_Reservoir_Pump_Attachment_w_MCP-350355_No_Fittings.html?tl=g30c97s152
And then there are more elaborate mounting kits that are a bit more complex but look better. For instance if you use a D5 pump in conjunction with an aftermarket Bitspower head, you can then mount a Bitspower reservoir on top using this kit.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14208/ex-pmp-167/Bitspower_D5_MCP655_Pump_Mod_Top_V2_-_Acetal_G14_VersionBP-D5TOPP2-BK.html?tl=g30c107s1805#blank
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16076/ex-res-369/Bitspower_Dual_Single_D5_Top_Upgrade_Kit_250_-_Black_BP-D5TOPUK250P-BKBKCL_.html?tl=g30c97s152

However if those canned solutions aren't to your liking (or budget), then you can always jury rig the reservoir on top of a pump.
This is where clever use of adapters comes in. Get a double sided male G1/4" fitting, screw it onto the bottom of the res, and you should just be able to screw the reservoir into any G1/4" fitting on the pump.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11882/ex-tub-732/Bitspower_G_14_Matte_Black_Male_to_Male_Rotary_Extender_BP-MBRG.html?tl=g30c497s1362
Obliviously you want to make sure both are adequately supported. As I don't think a single G1/4" fitting will hold up a tube reservoir full of water.

 

[dannyboy2233]

There are some reservoirs where you can just simple screw the pump in.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11220/ex-res-233/XSPC_Tank_Reservoir_-_Laing_D5_MCP655_w_Blue_LED_Light_-_Acrylic.html?tl=g30c97s152
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7272/ex-pmp-63/XSPC_Laing_DDC_Reservoir_Pump_Attachment_w_MCP-350355_No_Fittings.html?tl=g30c97s152
And then there are more elaborate mounting kits that are a bit more complex but look better. For instance if you use a D5 pump in conjunction with an aftermarket Bitspower head, you can then mount a Bitspower reservoir on top using this kit.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14208/ex-pmp-167/Bitspower_D5_MCP655_Pump_Mod_Top_V2_-_Acetal_G14_VersionBP-D5TOPP2-BK.html?tl=g30c107s1805#blank
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16076/ex-res-369/Bitspower_Dual_Single_D5_Top_Upgrade_Kit_250_-_Black_BP-D5TOPUK250P-BKBKCL_.html?tl=g30c97s152

However if those canned solutions aren't to your liking (or budget), then you can always jury rig the reservoir on top of a pump.
This is where clever use of adapters comes in. Get a double sided male G1/4" fitting, screw it onto the bottom of the res, and you should just be able to screw the reservoir into any G1/4" fitting on the pump.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11882/ex-tub-732/Bitspower_G_14_Matte_Black_Male_to_Male_Rotary_Extender_BP-MBRG.html?tl=g30c497s1362
Obliviously you want to make sure both are adequately supported. As I don't think a single G1/4" fitting will hold up a tube reservoir full of water.

Awesome. Just what I was looking for. Thanks so much for your help!
However, do you think you could please explain the third and fourth options in a bit more depth? Thanks, as I don't understand it perfectly; so the third one is simply an adapter? And the fourth one is a reservoir that screws directly on the pump? Sorry for my misunderstanding.

 

[manofchalk]

In a bit of a hurry, so answer will be quick
You buy the Bitspower top for a D5 pump, you typically buy aftermarket tops for aesthetic and tubing routing reasons. It basically give you more options in regards to how tubes connect than the stock top. It is required for the reservoir I linked to be mounted to the pump.

 

[dannyboy2233]

In a bit of a hurry, so answer will be quick
You buy the Bitspower top for a D5 pump, you typically buy aftermarket tops for aesthetic and tubing routing reasons. It basically give you more options in regards to how tubes connect than the stock top. It is required for the reservoir I linked to be mounted to the pump.

And then what? Are there certain reservoirs which are compatible, or are any of them okay?
Just answer whenever is easiest for you; I'm in no hurry.
Thanks so much for the help already!

 

[manofchalk]

When it comes to it, each reservoir will be different. The first two I linked, they are fine to accept pumps off the bat (provided they are the right model).
Other solutions like what Bitspower offer require a bit more than that, like needing another Bitspower product before the reservoir can be mounted.

 

[dannyboy2233]

When it comes to it, each reservoir will be different. The first two I linked, they are fine to accept pumps off the bat (provided they are the right model).
Other solutions like what Bitspower offer require a bit more than that, like needing another Bitspower product before the reservoir can be mounted.

So if I were to choose the third option, what other parts would I need, and how would it all go together?
Thanks so much in advance.

 

[manofchalk]

You need a D5 pump, that Bitspower D5 top I linked and the reservoir/mounting system itself.
Dont know, but I imagine it comes with instructions. Or plenty of Youtube tutorials.

 

[dannyboy2233]

You need a D5 pump, that Bitspower D5 top I linked and the reservoir/mounting system itself.
Dont know, but I imagine it comes with instructions. Or plenty of Youtube tutorials.

And for the fourth one?

 

[manofchalk]

the 3rd one is the top iv been mentioning, which combines with the 4th link. You need both.

 

[dannyboy2233]

the 3rd one is the top iv been mentioning, which combines with the 4th link. You need both.

Ahhhh. And that would all go together how?

 

[manofchalk]

I imagine each piece comes with instructions.

 

[dannyboy2233]

I imagine each piece comes with instructions.

Awesome! Thanks so much for you help; I'm sure I'll be back soon enough with some more. Hopefully you're here to answer those too.
Thanks!

 

[Andrew Rohlfs]

manofchalk speaks truly. Here is my current build, an example of a Bitspower male to male fitting connecting an MCP D5 pump to a Liquid Fusion reservoir. (FYI, this thread helped me decide what to do with my build, so thanks).