Plumbing for idiots--PVC Diameter

[Anonymous]

Okay, I want to get opinions. I'm about 2 years behind schedule on this project, but hopefully this summer will be it. I've got an empty 125 sitting at my parents' house that I want to move my 75 into. I'm considering converting the 75 into a sump.

Ideally I'd like to get the whole thing drilled, so for theory's sake let's assume that I'm drilling the 125 for a durso standpipe and drilling the sump for returns and all that.

My big question is what size diameter PVC should I be thinking about for the drain/return, and what type of pump am I looking at? I've run tons of tanks for the past 10+ yrs, but they've always been with off-the-shelf overflows and plumbing.

TIA!
John

 

[BluLite]

I've got a 125, single overflow box, with a single 1" pvc drain. works fine.

I've got two return pumps, a mag 1200 and mag 1800, both pumping thru 3/4" pipe.

had it running for years, no problems.

jeff

 

[ChrisRD]

John,

What are you going to keep in the tank? Are you looking for tons of turnover flow?

How much of your circulation did you want to handle with the return pump, vs. in-tank methods like powerheads, closed loops, etc.?

What did you have in mind for overflow boxes? One big center box, two or more distributed across the tank, etc...?

Are you drilling through the back or bottom?

 

[mountainbiker619]

my 60 has 1 1/2" pvc drain with a 1 1/2" durso. All return lines are 3/4"

 

[ChrisRD]

I've got a 125, single overflow box, with a single 1" pvc drain. works fine.

I've got two return pumps, a mag 1200 and mag 1800

Wow, how do you get a 1" drain to handle all that flow?

 

[Mogo]

On my 140 I have a 2" drain from 1 overflow box and 1 1/4" return lines. Works great.

 

[Anonymous]

John,

What are you going to keep in the tank? Are you looking for tons of turnover flow?[/quite]

Well it's primarily a FOWLR, but I do have a few corals (mostly softies) and a big giant anemone. So it's kind of a hybrid tank if anything. Put it this way, my goal is to be able to add a couple more fish to the system, while giving my anemone more room to grow. The sump is/will be primarily just for a DSB/refugium, skimmer, and a little extra water volume.

How much of your circulation did you want to handle with the return pump, vs. in-tank methods like powerheads, closed loops, etc.?

I don't have a problem with powerheads in the tank, but at the same time I'd really like to be able to branch the return into a couple separate flows.

What did you have in mind for overflow boxes? One big center box, two or more distributed across the tank, etc...?

Are you drilling through the back or bottom?

I was thinking one central overflow. For the life of me I can't remember if it's tempered or not, so I"ll have to check. Bottom would be nice, but a hassle (I've had a bottom-drilled tank before and didn't really like the hassle of moving it with that bulkhead sticking out). So right now it's really all wide-open. I've got the 125, I've got the 75, I've got the 37 that's currently the sump for the 75. Beyond that it's an empty slate.

 

[Hal1]

FWIW, I'm running a 150 with 2" pipe, about 10x turnover (little less maybe). The 2" is probably too much. I can hear water running in the pipe, which tells me that there is air in there. If I were to do it again, I'd probably go 1.5".

 

[ChrisRD]

Well it's primarily a FOWLR, but I do have a few corals (mostly softies) and a big giant anemone. So it's kind of a hybrid tank if anything.

In that case I think I'd be aiming for a return pump that would put about 1000 GPH back in the tank (after losses). Maybe something like a Mak4. A single 1-1/2" drain should handle that.

I don't have a problem with powerheads in the tank, but at the same time I'd really like to be able to branch the return into a couple separate flows.

I think branching the return is a good idea. I'd use at least 1" return lines and then step down after you split them (if at all) to keep friction loss to a minimum.

I was thinking one central overflow. For the life of me I can't remember if it's tempered or not, so I"ll have to check.

I've seen a few 6' tanks with one central overflow - seems to work fine. Also, doing a Durso-type setup through the back of the tank is no problem. That's what I did on the last tank I setup.

Good luck on selling the wife on the upgrade... :wink: