What size of tubing to run to/from my sump?

jdwhite27 · 05/19/2014, 09:17 PM

Hey guys. Just wondering. I plumbed my tank and sump. My overflow and return lines are both 3/4 " inside diameter tubing. Will this be ok? I bought the whole setup used and the shop which I j ow the employees quite well said that the pump that came with it was already matched up to the setup? Just super nervous about putting water in and starting it up until I know for sure my plumbing is golden

frogdog · 05/19/2014, 09:22 PM

How big is the tank?

jdwhite27 · 05/19/2014, 09:29 PM

40 gallon cube and I want to say it's a 10 gallon sump full capacity

frogdog · 05/19/2014, 09:41 PM

Sure, 3/4" should be fine. The issues are how much water can a 3/4" pull down in a full siphon (in case there's a problem) and how hard does a pump have to work to get the water back into the tank. 3/4 will pull about 330gph in a full siphon.

jdwhite27 · 05/19/2014, 09:49 PM

So should I look at a larger diameter for the siphon tubing?

frogdog · 05/19/2014, 10:00 PM

No, that's fine. If you get a bigger tank, like 75G, you'll want a bigger pipe. Bigger pipe = bigger siphon + handles bigger pump.

jdwhite27 · 05/19/2014, 10:04 PM

Ok . I gotcha. This being my first marine setup I'll stick with my 40 cube for now haha the pump does have a 3/4 " barb already has on it so that's why I went with that. I know some people use two different sizes on their siphon and return lines. Just wasn't sure if having them at the same size and at 3/4" I.d. Would be ok is all

frogdog · 05/19/2014, 10:13 PM

Some people put a bigger pipe for their siphon, so water can get out in a hurry if there's a problem. I don't think that's an issue for you. I'm sure you'll want a bigger tank, or several, in the near future.

jdwhite27 · 05/19/2014, 10:19 PM

Oh I'm sure of it too! Even if I decide go go a little bigger on the siphon tube all I'll have to do is change out my barb fittings to 1" x 1" instead of 1" x 3/4". I already have a 27 gallon freshwater also haha. The shop told me this one was a 40...but it has a lot depth front to back. Looks more like a 45-50 setup to me.

frogdog · 05/19/2014, 10:23 PM

well, if you decide to plumb in the 27 for something else, like a separate refugium, then you will probably want a 1" siphon.

jdwhite27 · 05/19/2014, 11:03 PM

Thanks frogdog! I think I am going to pick up some 1" barb fittings with hose to match. In case I need the extra flow from an overflow.

05/19/2014, 09:17 PM	#1
jdwhite27 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Springfield Mo Posts: 33	What size of tubing to run to/from my sump? Hey guys. Just wondering. I plumbed my tank and sump. My overflow and return lines are both 3/4 " inside diameter tubing. Will this be ok? I bought the whole setup used and the shop which I j ow the employees quite well said that the pump that came with it was already matched up to the setup? Just super nervous about putting water in and starting it up until I know for sure my plumbing is golden

05/19/2014, 09:22 PM	#2
frogdog Relentless Question-Asker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Courtenay, British Columbia Posts: 151	How big is the tank? __________________ Warmly, Cynthia

05/19/2014, 09:41 PM	#4
frogdog Relentless Question-Asker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Courtenay, British Columbia Posts: 151	Sure, 3/4" should be fine. The issues are how much water can a 3/4" pull down in a full siphon (in case there's a problem) and how hard does a pump have to work to get the water back into the tank. 3/4 will pull about 330gph in a full siphon. __________________ Warmly, Cynthia

05/19/2014, 10:00 PM	#6
frogdog Relentless Question-Asker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Courtenay, British Columbia Posts: 151	No, that's fine. If you get a bigger tank, like 75G, you'll want a bigger pipe. Bigger pipe = bigger siphon + handles bigger pump. __________________ Warmly, Cynthia

05/19/2014, 10:13 PM	#8
frogdog Relentless Question-Asker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Courtenay, British Columbia Posts: 151	Some people put a bigger pipe for their siphon, so water can get out in a hurry if there's a problem. I don't think that's an issue for you. I'm sure you'll want a bigger tank, or several, in the near future. __________________ Warmly, Cynthia

05/19/2014, 09:29 PM	#3
jdwhite27 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Springfield Mo Posts: 33	40 gallon cube and I want to say it's a 10 gallon sump full capacity

05/19/2014, 09:49 PM	#5
jdwhite27 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Springfield Mo Posts: 33	So should I look at a larger diameter for the siphon tubing?

05/19/2014, 10:04 PM	#7
jdwhite27 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Springfield Mo Posts: 33	Ok . I gotcha. This being my first marine setup I'll stick with my 40 cube for now haha the pump does have a 3/4 " barb already has on it so that's why I went with that. I know some people use two different sizes on their siphon and return lines. Just wasn't sure if having them at the same size and at 3/4" I.d. Would be ok is all

05/19/2014, 10:19 PM	#9
jdwhite27 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Springfield Mo Posts: 33	Oh I'm sure of it too! Even if I decide go go a little bigger on the siphon tube all I'll have to do is change out my barb fittings to 1" x 1" instead of 1" x 3/4". I already have a 27 gallon freshwater also haha. The shop told me this one was a 40...but it has a lot depth front to back. Looks more like a 45-50 setup to me.

05/19/2014, 10:23 PM	#10
frogdog Relentless Question-Asker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Courtenay, British Columbia Posts: 151	well, if you decide to plumb in the 27 for something else, like a separate refugium, then you will probably want a 1" siphon. __________________ Warmly, Cynthia

05/19/2014, 11:03 PM	#11
jdwhite27 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Springfield Mo Posts: 33	Thanks frogdog! I think I am going to pick up some 1" barb fittings with hose to match. In case I need the extra flow from an overflow.