overflows

graymad · 01/19/2008, 10:33 AM

been reading alot on this subject. i have a 125 aga rr. changed out the barb fitting bulkheads for threaded ones. i have a 55 gallon sump. octopuss 200 skimmer, and a mag 12 return pump. im getting ready to start the plumbing and was wondering what the best size for pipes. right now its 3/4 return and 1" drain. will that work?? or should i go 1" return and 1 1/2 drain?? im going to have ball valves on it all, just not sure what the best size would be. getting overwhelmed reading to much!! lol! thanks.

Ziggy953 · 01/19/2008, 10:36 AM

You should be fine with what you have already. I'm assuming that you have dual overflows and dual returns? I have a dual overflow and return on my tank and I use 1" for the drain lines and the returns are 3/4" with no problems.

graymad · 01/19/2008, 11:25 AM

yeah, dual. right on, thanks! figured that, but all this good information on here has me thinking waaaayy to much. everybody seems to do things differently. thanks for the quick reply! im starting it as soon as i get off work!

sjm817 · 01/19/2008, 12:08 PM

How and where are you splitting the return from the Mag?

Misled · 01/19/2008, 12:40 PM

Ok, first I'll say this is my opinion. I don't know where your sump is but I'll take for granted it's under the tank. With a 5 foot head the mag 12 will put out about 1100 gph. Figuring a couple ells in the return we'll just say 1000. This gives you 8 times turnover which is fairly high. If you plan on putting a refuge in, you're way too high. I realize you are going to use valves but it may be better just to reduce the pump to a 9.5. This will give you about 5 times turnover, (which I would say is tops for a sump without a refuge), and would produce less heat and use less energy. Also NO valves on the drain, this is just a recipe for disaster.

graymad · 01/19/2008, 02:01 PM

thanks, itss a 55 right under the tank. no fuge. i put a 10 gal tank between the skimmer and return pump for sand and cheato.kinda a fuge, im not wanting to restrict the drain flow. just was putting the ball valves for taking it apart purposes. im running flex tube from the return pump to a T in the middle of the tank. so its even. that goes for the drains also. so ya think a mag 12 is to much???

HornetMech242 · 01/19/2008, 02:32 PM

I am using a MAG 9.5 for my return on a 120. The sump has a fuge and the tank is about 30 gallons. But one reason i used a bigger pump is to feed my skimmer off one drain, and the other drain is plumbed so that i can quickly add a reaction chamber with carbon or phosban if i need to. This way reduces the need for more pumps and saves on electrical.

Chris

graymad · 01/19/2008, 02:56 PM

thanks chris.

01/19/2008, 10:33 AM	#1
graymad Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 15	overflows been reading alot on this subject. i have a 125 aga rr. changed out the barb fitting bulkheads for threaded ones. i have a 55 gallon sump. octopuss 200 skimmer, and a mag 12 return pump. im getting ready to start the plumbing and was wondering what the best size for pipes. right now its 3/4 return and 1" drain. will that work?? or should i go 1" return and 1 1/2 drain?? im going to have ball valves on it all, just not sure what the best size would be. getting overwhelmed reading to much!! lol! thanks.

01/19/2008, 10:36 AM	#2
Ziggy953 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Owings Mills, Maryland Posts: 690	You should be fine with what you have already. I'm assuming that you have dual overflows and dual returns? I have a dual overflow and return on my tank and I use 1" for the drain lines and the returns are 3/4" with no problems. __________________ If you want to see my tank click on the little red house. Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder - RKE - LEDs the works...

01/19/2008, 12:08 PM	#4
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	How and where are you splitting the return from the Mag? __________________ - Scott

01/19/2008, 12:40 PM	#5
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	Ok, first I'll say this is my opinion. I don't know where your sump is but I'll take for granted it's under the tank. With a 5 foot head the mag 12 will put out about 1100 gph. Figuring a couple ells in the return we'll just say 1000. This gives you 8 times turnover which is fairly high. If you plan on putting a refuge in, you're way too high. I realize you are going to use valves but it may be better just to reduce the pump to a 9.5. This will give you about 5 times turnover, (which I would say is tops for a sump without a refuge), and would produce less heat and use less energy. Also NO valves on the drain, this is just a recipe for disaster. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

01/19/2008, 02:32 PM	#7
HornetMech242 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 786	I am using a MAG 9.5 for my return on a 120. The sump has a fuge and the tank is about 30 gallons. But one reason i used a bigger pump is to feed my skimmer off one drain, and the other drain is plumbed so that i can quickly add a reaction chamber with carbon or phosban if i need to. This way reduces the need for more pumps and saves on electrical. Chris __________________ I didin't know, it's my first day... Current Tank Info: 120g AGA, 150 #'s fiji rock, DIY stand & canopy, 2 250 watt MH's 14000k on Ice Cap ballast's in Lumenbright reflectors, Mag 9.5 return pump, Dart pump with Oceans Motions closed loop, octopus DNW200 skimmer, GEO 618 Calcium reactor

01/19/2008, 11:25 AM	#3
graymad Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 15	yeah, dual. right on, thanks! figured that, but all this good information on here has me thinking waaaayy to much. everybody seems to do things differently. thanks for the quick reply! im starting it as soon as i get off work!

01/19/2008, 02:01 PM	#6
graymad Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 15	thanks, itss a 55 right under the tank. no fuge. i put a 10 gal tank between the skimmer and return pump for sand and cheato.kinda a fuge, im not wanting to restrict the drain flow. just was putting the ball valves for taking it apart purposes. im running flex tube from the return pump to a T in the middle of the tank. so its even. that goes for the drains also. so ya think a mag 12 is to much???

01/19/2008, 02:56 PM	#8
graymad Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 15	thanks chris.