Pipe diameter for overflow and return pump

FroMan · 04/01/2007, 08:42 AM

Last year I had plumbed my life reef overflow with 1.5" dia PVC. This has operatored flawless for me. The only thing I would like to improve on is a reduction in the amount of air bubbles this draws in. I do not get a "sucking" sound from the system, but there are a ton of air bubbles that appear in my sump.

The bulk of the bubbles in the skimmer section are no big deal, but this does lead to some salt creep above the water line. In my ref section the micro bubbles are a little less than desireable. Over the course of a week, the micro bubbles start to act like a simmer and I get a little froth in the area. I usualy just take a fish net and skim the foth off.

I'm looking for suggestions as to how I can eliminate/reduce the amount of air that gets drawn in.

Do I need to create some sort of vent pipe like a house has?

Also from my mag 9.5, I'm using 1.5" pvc split into two outlets. I would like to increase the flow coming off the pump. Would reducing to 1" pVC increase the pressure coming out of the outlets or would this just put more strain on the motor?

adnup · 04/01/2007, 10:23 AM

I have a 55 that I run a mag9 for my return. I have a 1.5" drain and a 3/4" return and I have to cut the power down with a ball valve, so IMO 2 returns with the pump wide open would work fine.

FroMan · 04/06/2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by adnup
I have a 55 that I run a mag9 for my return. I have a 1.5" drain and a 3/4" return and I have to cut the power down with a ball valve, so IMO 2 returns with the pump wide open would work fine.

do you find that with the 1.5" drain that you get a lot of air bubbles in your sump?

even with the 1.5" pipe split into two exits I have to have the pump dialed back to reduce the flow. I'm actually considering hooking up an oceans motion 2 or 4 way unit to increase the flow in my tank. I'm finding that I have several dead spots where ditrius build up and I'm getting algae growth.

webbstock · 04/06/2007, 02:33 PM

Do you have one of these for your overflow? (or similar)

To stop the gurgling noise, you need a way to vent air into the down pipe, maybe by adding a small diameter tube or pipe a few inches into the down pipe and have the other end above the water line, basically so it can draw air without gurgling.

Or you could try a Durso-type overflow set up in the the lifereef...sorta modify something like this:

To minimize microbubbles I would run the drain into a large diameter pipe (drilled with lots of side holes) in the sump. Add some smallish pieces of LR and that should help with the microbubbles.

04/01/2007, 08:42 AM	#1
FroMan Insane in the Brain Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vernon, CT Posts: 1,389	Pipe diameter for overflow and return pump Last year I had plumbed my life reef overflow with 1.5" dia PVC. This has operatored flawless for me. The only thing I would like to improve on is a reduction in the amount of air bubbles this draws in. I do not get a "sucking" sound from the system, but there are a ton of air bubbles that appear in my sump. The bulk of the bubbles in the skimmer section are no big deal, but this does lead to some salt creep above the water line. In my ref section the micro bubbles are a little less than desireable. Over the course of a week, the micro bubbles start to act like a simmer and I get a little froth in the area. I usualy just take a fish net and skim the foth off. I'm looking for suggestions as to how I can eliminate/reduce the amount of air that gets drawn in. Do I need to create some sort of vent pipe like a house has? Also from my mag 9.5, I'm using 1.5" pvc split into two outlets. I would like to increase the flow coming off the pump. Would reducing to 1" pVC increase the pressure coming out of the outlets or would this just put more strain on the motor?

04/01/2007, 10:23 AM	#2
adnup Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 2,025	I have a 55 that I run a mag9 for my return. I have a 1.5" drain and a 3/4" return and I have to cut the power down with a ball valve, so IMO 2 returns with the pump wide open would work fine. __________________ A HOUSE isn't a HOME without saltwater on the floor! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire, I-Tech 200 Skimmer, Snapper, Tunze

04/06/2007, 02:33 PM	#4
webbstock Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Washington DC area Posts: 436	Do you have one of these for your overflow? (or similar) To stop the gurgling noise, you need a way to vent air into the down pipe, maybe by adding a small diameter tube or pipe a few inches into the down pipe and have the other end above the water line, basically so it can draw air without gurgling. Or you could try a Durso-type overflow set up in the the lifereef...sorta modify something like this: To minimize microbubbles I would run the drain into a large diameter pipe (drilled with lots of side holes) in the sump. Add some smallish pieces of LR and that should help with the microbubbles.