Return pump plumbing question

starionesir · 06/30/2014, 08:32 AM

I recently upgraded my old mag drive 5 for a waveline dc4000 return pump and currently am using the half inch pvc I was using for the mag drive. It works but I'm really choking the pump down as the waveline pump out is 1 inch. I'm going to run 1 inch from the pump into a manifold and then to the tank but the tank is currently drilled for a half inch bulkhead fitting. From there it goes into a y loc line fitting and into the tank.

My question is would it really hurt to run the 1 inch pvc to right to the bulk head and then go back down to half inch before it enters the tank or is that really going to be a problem for the pump. Right now the pump is running about 3/4 power and has plenty of flow for me but will be using some of that to run the reactors.

My biggest problem will be if I need to change to say 3/4 bulk head is that its not real easy to drill as you can't use a hole saw since there is already a hole. I'd have to use a dremel or something and slowly make the hole bigger and thats going to make a mess outside and inside the tank. Any ideas or input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

inetmug · 06/30/2014, 08:59 AM

You can always neck down a supply. You create more static head pressure, especially going vertically. Not that it is bad, it is just there. You will probably be wasting the pump power of the new pump somewhat. Sometimes you might want to neck it down to create more pressure in the system. It all depends on the system.

First question, will that pump be too powerful, and you will need to valve it down, wasting the output, energy?

Second question, that loc-line stuff seems to be to be used within the tank on the output of the returns to create fancy plumbing for flow in the tank. Not sure I would use that leading up to a bulkhead? I do not know myself, I am asking.

starionesir · 06/30/2014, 09:22 AM

I only use the loc line inside the tank. I use pvc up into the bulkhead. The pump is a dc pump so I don't need to use a valve to slow it down I can just turn it down with the controller. I know necking down isn't terrible but i know that anytime to go from a larger size to a smaller one your going to lose flow but gain velocity. And with fish tanks velocity isn't always a good thing.

inetmug · 06/30/2014, 09:31 AM

Yes, I would think volume versus velocity is key. However, velocity can create current to keep things moving.

That loc-line stuff, I would be very wary of that anywhere but in the tank.

starionesir · 06/30/2014, 09:45 AM

I would never trust running loc line outside of the tank. That would be a accident waiting to happen.

SGT_York · 06/30/2014, 01:30 PM

I've once drilled over an existing hole with no issues, not sure why it would be a challenge. drill a piece of wood or spare plastic the same size and use it as a template/starter.

You could also drill another hole near or on the other side of the tank. SQWD's work easily enough.

Justin_S · 07/01/2014, 09:41 AM

Is your tank glass or acrylic? I'm thinking glass? Anyways why not just go over the back if your concerned and do not wish to drill another hole? What size is your overflow at?

06/30/2014, 08:32 AM	#1
starionesir Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Bel Air Maryland Posts: 402	Return pump plumbing question I recently upgraded my old mag drive 5 for a waveline dc4000 return pump and currently am using the half inch pvc I was using for the mag drive. It works but I'm really choking the pump down as the waveline pump out is 1 inch. I'm going to run 1 inch from the pump into a manifold and then to the tank but the tank is currently drilled for a half inch bulkhead fitting. From there it goes into a y loc line fitting and into the tank. My question is would it really hurt to run the 1 inch pvc to right to the bulk head and then go back down to half inch before it enters the tank or is that really going to be a problem for the pump. Right now the pump is running about 3/4 power and has plenty of flow for me but will be using some of that to run the reactors. My biggest problem will be if I need to change to say 3/4 bulk head is that its not real easy to drill as you can't use a hole saw since there is already a hole. I'd have to use a dremel or something and slowly make the hole bigger and thats going to make a mess outside and inside the tank. Any ideas or input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

06/30/2014, 08:59 AM	#2
inetmug Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 693	You can always neck down a supply. You create more static head pressure, especially going vertically. Not that it is bad, it is just there. You will probably be wasting the pump power of the new pump somewhat. Sometimes you might want to neck it down to create more pressure in the system. It all depends on the system. First question, will that pump be too powerful, and you will need to valve it down, wasting the output, energy? Second question, that loc-line stuff seems to be to be used within the tank on the output of the returns to create fancy plumbing for flow in the tank. Not sure I would use that leading up to a bulkhead? I do not know myself, I am asking. __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 250G Acrylic, 40G sump, Dolphin Amp Master 4750, Predator Skimmer, BuildMyLed 20k XB, , ATO,

06/30/2014, 09:31 AM	#4
inetmug Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 693	Yes, I would think volume versus velocity is key. However, velocity can create current to keep things moving. That loc-line stuff, I would be very wary of that anywhere but in the tank. __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 250G Acrylic, 40G sump, Dolphin Amp Master 4750, Predator Skimmer, BuildMyLed 20k XB, , ATO,

07/01/2014, 09:41 AM	#7
Justin_S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 52	Is your tank glass or acrylic? I'm thinking glass? Anyways why not just go over the back if your concerned and do not wish to drill another hole? What size is your overflow at? __________________ Using Tapatalk

06/30/2014, 09:22 AM	#3
starionesir Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Bel Air Maryland Posts: 402	I only use the loc line inside the tank. I use pvc up into the bulkhead. The pump is a dc pump so I don't need to use a valve to slow it down I can just turn it down with the controller. I know necking down isn't terrible but i know that anytime to go from a larger size to a smaller one your going to lose flow but gain velocity. And with fish tanks velocity isn't always a good thing.

06/30/2014, 09:45 AM	#5
starionesir Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Bel Air Maryland Posts: 402	I would never trust running loc line outside of the tank. That would be a accident waiting to happen.

06/30/2014, 01:30 PM	#6
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	I've once drilled over an existing hole with no issues, not sure why it would be a challenge. drill a piece of wood or spare plastic the same size and use it as a template/starter. You could also drill another hole near or on the other side of the tank. SQWD's work easily enough.