Plumbing for a 180 gal

[Will]

A friend just got a 180G tank and wants me to help on the plumbing , need some suggestions on what size PVC for the overflows . It has one overflow in each corner, can I use 1 1/4 from the overflows to the sump and 3/4 for each return back to the tank or what. From the bottom of the tank/overflow to the sump should i use flex??
Any help or pics would be appreciated. Also what size return pump should we use.
Thanx
Will

 

[Spsnut]

3/4 is woefull for any kind of flow; it has a ton of friction loss.

 

[Frankie Marble]

The feed going into my sump is 11/2" pvc & my return line is 3/4" pvc. I have great flow. I'm running a mag 7 on a 72g bow front. Not sure what pump u would use. If I can make a suggestion with the plumbing, it's use unions!! Use unions wherever u can put them. They are very important!!! Anyways good luck with everything...

 

[james1990]

plan ahead for any equipment he might plan on using. a manifold that could supply reactors and such

 

[edd]

i have 2 1" over flows. some one said to step it up to 1 1/4" cause it will be quieter, well it makes a lot of noise. i would go with same size as over flow.
you can use flex or hard pvc.
if your pump has 1" return, splitting to 2 - 3/4" will be fine.

 

[Will]

Thanx Guys,

I have 1 1/4 on my 58 gal that goes to 1" after it passes thru the tank bottom and it s very quiet. I guess , I'll go with
1"1/2 ,with a Durso on both, on my friends 180 and see how that goes. Yea... I'm a big fan of unions , as they can make your life a lot easier.

 

[Spsnut]

The feed going into my sump is 11/2" pvc & my return line is 3/4" pvc. I have great flow. I'm running a mag 7 on a 72g bow front. Not sure what pump u would use. If I can make a suggestion with the plumbing, it's use unions!! Use unions wherever u can put them. They are very important!!! Anyways good luck with everything...

Not much better than 375gph at best my bet.

2 x 3/4" has slightly larger area than 1" ( ~.10 inch2.) 1 1/4" pipe is considerably bigger than 2 x 3/4. 5x volume flow through sump is fine in many books, problem is smaller diameter pipe leaves no room for the growth that will happen on the pipe walls if the tank is successful.