return line?

Wallman · 12/03/2009, 06:36 PM

I have an ideal to run my return line from my sump (in the basement) to the main tank (120gal 24"x24"x48") up over the side of the tank, down to the bottom of the tank and across the bottom. I want to have six or eight outlets to create a current across the bottom to the other side, up the side and back to the over flow. Will it work? The pump has an 1" outlet, so what size pipe do I use to return to the tank? What size for the six to eight outlets? Any thoughts?
Thanks For the help

mrpopo · 12/03/2009, 06:41 PM

You should stick to a closed loop system or powerheads to create more flow. You really don't want to over complicate your return plumbing.

arredondojason · 12/03/2009, 06:42 PM

you can use the head loss calculator on the RC homepage and figure out what is best for your situation.
I know the bigger the line the less head loss you will have.

sedor · 12/03/2009, 06:43 PM

What your thinking about doing is called a spray bar, although I don't think it would be nearly as effective in the bottom of the tank. Although its certainly a way to increase your flow, I personally think your better off with powerheads and a simple return.

stingythingy45 · 12/03/2009, 06:48 PM

Return pumps make for lousy flow and can be quite expensive to run if you go large.

BTW,without a siphon hole,if you had a blackout.The tank would drain to the bottom.
It happens with all return lines that don't have some kind of anti-siphon.That's why most returns are near the water surface.

Wallman · 12/03/2009, 06:58 PM

I was think ing more along the lines for at night when all the power heads are off.
Also though about putting in a check valve in for power outage.

stingythingy45 · 12/03/2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wallman

I was think ing more along the lines for at night when all the power heads are off.
Also though about putting in a check valve in for power outage.

Check valves fail often.
Imagine your suprise at finding the tank completely empty in the morning and the basement sump overflowed.

Sisterlimonpot · 12/03/2009, 07:03 PM

Why are you turning your PH off at night?

Sisterlimonpot · 12/03/2009, 07:04 PM

BTW

To Reef Central

Wallman · 12/03/2009, 07:07 PM

shouldn't there be less current at night?

Wallman · 12/03/2009, 07:09 PM

Thank you

Sisterlimonpot · 12/03/2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wallman

shouldn't there be less current at night?

No. Do you think the ocean slows down at night. If anything with high tide from the moon allows for more current.

Wallman · 12/03/2009, 07:18 PM

yes. I did think is slowed down at night. The current just went the other way?

Wallman · 12/03/2009, 07:20 PM

Less wave action lol

Sisterlimonpot · 12/03/2009, 07:21 PM

What do you have in your tank?

Wallman · 12/03/2009, 07:23 PM

Its not setup yet, trying to plan ahead, iam working on the stand now.

Sisterlimonpot · 12/03/2009, 07:27 PM

Gotcha. What most of us do is use a return pump big enough to allow for proper turnover in the sump/fuge. everything else (as far as flow in the main tank) is done with power heads or closed loop systems.

Wallman · 12/03/2009, 07:38 PM

Still not sure if I want to go with a closed loop or PH at this time, I really dont want to see any equipment in the tank. Thats why I wanted to use the return pump alone at night for water movement. then a closed loop during the day with a water diverter to change the current.

12/03/2009, 06:36 PM	#1
Wallman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 13	return line? I have an ideal to run my return line from my sump (in the basement) to the main tank (120gal 24"x24"x48") up over the side of the tank, down to the bottom of the tank and across the bottom. I want to have six or eight outlets to create a current across the bottom to the other side, up the side and back to the over flow. Will it work? The pump has an 1" outlet, so what size pipe do I use to return to the tank? What size for the six to eight outlets? Any thoughts? Thanks For the help

12/03/2009, 06:43 PM	#4
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	What your thinking about doing is called a spray bar, although I don't think it would be nearly as effective in the bottom of the tank. Although its certainly a way to increase your flow, I personally think your better off with powerheads and a simple return. __________________ Ryan

12/03/2009, 06:48 PM	#5
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	Return pumps make for lousy flow and can be quite expensive to run if you go large. BTW,without a siphon hole,if you had a blackout.The tank would drain to the bottom. It happens with all return lines that don't have some kind of anti-siphon.That's why most returns are near the water surface. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

12/03/2009, 07:03 PM	#8
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Why are you turning your PH off at night? __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

12/03/2009, 07:04 PM	#9
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	BTW *To Reef Central* __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

12/03/2009, 06:41 PM	#2
mrpopo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Savannah, Ga Posts: 54	You should stick to a closed loop system or powerheads to create more flow. You really don't want to over complicate your return plumbing.

12/03/2009, 06:42 PM	#3
arredondojason Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 988	you can use the head loss calculator on the RC homepage and figure out what is best for your situation. I know the bigger the line the less head loss you will have.

12/03/2009, 06:58 PM	#6
Wallman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 13	I was think ing more along the lines for at night when all the power heads are off. Also though about putting in a check valve in for power outage.

12/03/2009, 07:07 PM	#10
Wallman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 13	shouldn't there be less current at night?

12/03/2009, 07:09 PM	#11
Wallman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 13	Thank you

12/03/2009, 07:18 PM	#13
Wallman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 13	yes. I did think is slowed down at night. The current just went the other way?

12/03/2009, 07:20 PM	#14
Wallman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 13	Less wave action lol

12/03/2009, 07:21 PM	#15
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	What do you have in your tank? __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

12/03/2009, 07:23 PM	#16
Wallman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 13	Its not setup yet, trying to plan ahead, iam working on the stand now.

12/03/2009, 07:27 PM	#17
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Gotcha. What most of us do is use a return pump big enough to allow for proper turnover in the sump/fuge. everything else (as far as flow in the main tank) is done with power heads or closed loop systems. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

12/03/2009, 07:38 PM	#18
Wallman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 13	Still not sure if I want to go with a closed loop or PH at this time, I really dont want to see any equipment in the tank. Thats why I wanted to use the return pump alone at night for water movement. then a closed loop during the day with a water diverter to change the current.