what size return??

eagle9252 · 09/22/2011, 08:01 AM

well with my tanks I'm setting up i have changed some of my specs for now. i was going to do a 40B with a 20L sump. I have already completed the sump and the HOB skimmer. I was going to plumb it 1" drain and 3/4" return with a 475 gph pump(40*5=200gph plus 3' head).

here is the ??? LQQKs like I will be doing a 75gal DT for now. I will keep the 40B tank for now. I might make it into a sump later, dont know yet. back to the question. what size return and pump? should it be a 1" return now and say a 600gph pump. I need to know pretty quick so I can chage my parts order, if needed.

Ron Reefman · 09/22/2011, 08:22 AM

The 475gph system will work assuming the 475 includes head loss and plumbing losses. With the 475 your turn over on the 75g is just over 6X. That would even work if you added a refugium. The 600gph would be 8X and should work fine as well. If you haven't calculated the head loss into the gph numbers, then I'd switch to the 600gph pump. Actually, I'd do the calculations and based on the order the pump that gives you the turnover you want.

thegrun · 09/22/2011, 09:03 AM

3/4" pipe will handle 337 GPH gravity flow and 720 GPH maximum pumped flow.
1" will handle 600 GPH gravity and max out at 1200 GPH pumped.
1-1/4" is 939 GPH gravity and 1600 GPH pumped.
I would go with an 1-1/4" drain for the safety factor and a 3/4" return.

eagle9252 · 09/22/2011, 03:51 PM

The 485gpm is at zero height. it will be pumping about 4 feet up. My thoughts were to come out of the pump thru some flex and then a 45, ball valve and a union and 90 at the tank and then cross the tank 4 feet and a 90 and 45 into the tank. how does this sound? i bought a Aqueon® Submersible Power Pump 2500. i can do the 1 1/4 drain just have to change the bulkhead

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...uctId=11000163

09/22/2011, 08:01 AM	#1
eagle9252 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 245	what size return?? well with my tanks I'm setting up i have changed some of my specs for now. i was going to do a 40B with a 20L sump. I have already completed the sump and the HOB skimmer. I was going to plumb it 1" drain and 3/4" return with a 475 gph pump(40*5=200gph plus 3' head). here is the ??? LQQKs like I will be doing a 75gal DT for now. I will keep the 40B tank for now. I might make it into a sump later, dont know yet. back to the question. what size return and pump? should it be a 1" return now and say a 600gph pump. I need to know pretty quick so I can chage my parts order, if needed.

09/22/2011, 08:22 AM	#2
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	The 475gph system will work assuming the 475 includes head loss and plumbing losses. With the 475 your turn over on the 75g is just over 6X. That would even work if you added a refugium. The 600gph would be 8X and should work fine as well. If you haven't calculated the head loss into the gph numbers, then I'd switch to the 600gph pump. Actually, I'd do the calculations and based on the order the pump that gives you the turnover you want. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

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09/22/2011, 09:03 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	3/4" pipe will handle 337 GPH gravity flow and 720 GPH maximum pumped flow. 1" will handle 600 GPH gravity and max out at 1200 GPH pumped. 1-1/4" is 939 GPH gravity and 1600 GPH pumped. I would go with an 1-1/4" drain for the safety factor and a 3/4" return.

09/22/2011, 03:51 PM	#4
eagle9252 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 245	The 485gpm is at zero height. it will be pumping about 4 feet up. My thoughts were to come out of the pump thru some flex and then a 45, ball valve and a union and 90 at the tank and then cross the tank 4 feet and a 90 and 45 into the tank. how does this sound? i bought a Aqueon® Submersible Power Pump 2500. i can do the 1 1/4 drain just have to change the bulkhead http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...uctId=11000163