Some Plumbing Questions

[timClement]

Hi All,

I'm working on setting up a new 180g, and I have some plumbing questions. Any help would be much appreciated.

1. The skimmer is an ETSS 600 Pro, driven by an Iwaki 40RLT pump. I'm planning on doing the whole tank with flexible PVC. The outlet on the sump and the inlet on the skimmer are both 1", but the inlet and outlet on the pump, which sits in the middle, are each 3/4". Should I use 1" or 3/4" pipe to and from the pump? If I use 1", should I put the 1"-3/4" PVC fitting on the sump outlet or the pump inlet? Same question for the pump-skimmer pipe, should I put the 3/4"-1" fitting on the pump outlet or on the skimmer inlet?

2. The return line to the tank is driven by an Iwaki 100RLT. I will run 1" flex PVC from the pump to the tank, and then split it into two 3/4" lines with a T fitting, and then run each of the 3/4" lines to the tank inlets. Does that sound right, i.e. the part about splitting the single 1" line into two 3/4" lines?

Thanks

Tim

 

[Len]

WELCOME TO REEFS.ORG!

"Should I use 1" or 3/4" pipe to and from the pump? If I use 1", should I put the 1"-3/4" PVC fitting on the sump outlet or the pump inlet? Same question for the pump-skimmer pipe, should I put the 3/4"-1" fitting on the pump outlet or on the skimmer inlet?"

To be honest, it won't make a big difference any way you plumb this setup. But I would personally plumb 1" from pump to skimmer's input. It doesn't really matter where you put the reduction fitting between the sump's outlet and the pump's inlet. Because the 40RLT is a pressure rated pump, I would plumb the "reduction" fitting (3/4" to 1") on the skimmer's input versus the pump's output.

"The return line to the tank is driven by an Iwaki 100RLT. I will run 1" flex PVC from the pump to the tank, and then split it into two 3/4" lines with a T fitting, and then run each of the 3/4" lines to the tank inlets. Does that sound right, i.e. the part about splitting the single 1" line into two 3/4" lines? "

Sounds fine. Two 3/4" has less back pressure then a single 1" line anyhow. You'll want to use a Y fitting as opposed to a T fitting if possible to reduce hard 90 degree turns.