Reef Central Online Community - View Single Post - Return pump output same size or bigger pipe?

ghellin · 07/14/2014, 05:25 PM

Hard to type a title that quickly decribes my question.

My question is; if my return pump output is 1" and my two returns are 1" is there a benefit in running 1.5" pipe from the pump to a "T" to go back to 1" for each return? Or should I just run 1" all the way? I am looking for the educated scientific answer as I recall reading once that there are benifits to the pump and overall flow by going with a larger return pipe than output. Thanks in advance.

07/14/2014, 05:25 PM	#1
ghellin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Edmond Posts: 1,844	Return pump output same size or bigger pipe? Hard to type a title that quickly decribes my question. My question is; if my return pump output is 1" and my two returns are 1" is there a benefit in running 1.5" pipe from the pump to a "T" to go back to 1" for each return? Or should I just run 1" all the way? I am looking for the educated scientific answer as I recall reading once that there are benifits to the pump and overall flow by going with a larger return pipe than output. Thanks in advance. __________________ 180. SRO 3000INT w/ANC. Fluval SP4. Gyre. DIY LED's/T5s. Apex. Bluefish. Clams. Tangs. SPS.