Return Plumbing Question

smokey30 · 03/21/2010, 10:14 PM

I am trying to plan out my return plumbing for my new build, I am using an eheim 1262 for my return and the outlet is 3/4", I was going to run that out use an expander and go from 3/4" to 1" and split that up so I have to 2 exits back into the tank. Is it ok to expand the 3/4' to 1" or should I keep it 3/4" all the way and not expand to 1"?

thnx
anthony

Aristarchus · 03/21/2010, 10:47 PM

I personally don't think it will make a difference if you use the expander, I would stick with the 3/4" and put a "Y" or "T" in it for the returns. If 1" line would make more flow then your Eheim would have came with a 1" discharge from the factory, just my purely uneducated opinion. HTH

Kyle

E46er · 03/21/2010, 11:30 PM

I upsized mine i always go up 1 size from factory just because it will flow fine at zero head pressure when you start adding head pressure i dont want to restrict flow

Mr. Brooks · 03/22/2010, 02:14 AM

I would up size it. I did the same exact thing with my 1262. Went from 3/4 to 1", then T'd it off to two 1" lines, then reduced two 3/4" at the end. Imagine drinking soda out of a straw, then imagine drinking soda out of one of those coffee straws. I feel like the less restriction you put on a pump the more flow you're going to get.

03/21/2010, 10:14 PM	#1
smokey30 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 171	Return Plumbing Question I am trying to plan out my return plumbing for my new build, I am using an eheim 1262 for my return and the outlet is 3/4", I was going to run that out use an expander and go from 3/4" to 1" and split that up so I have to 2 exits back into the tank. Is it ok to expand the 3/4' to 1" or should I keep it 3/4" all the way and not expand to 1"? thnx anthony

03/21/2010, 10:47 PM	#2
Aristarchus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tri-cities, WA Posts: 272	I personally don't think it will make a difference if you use the expander, I would stick with the 3/4" and put a "Y" or "T" in it for the returns. If 1" line would make more flow then your Eheim would have came with a 1" discharge from the factory, just my purely uneducated opinion. HTH Kyle __________________ New tank: CFI Fabrications 120g 48x24x24, 40g sump, Metal Halides 2x250w DE HQI and 2x110w VHO Super Actinics, Closed Loop w/ Oceans Motions 4-way via Dolphin Amp Master 5600/4700, Neptune Apex Lite, TLF-150 Phosban Reactor, AquaC EV-120(skimmer to be replaced soon)

03/21/2010, 11:30 PM	#3
E46er Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BC Posts: 136	I upsized mine i always go up 1 size from factory just because it will flow fine at zero head pressure when you start adding head pressure i dont want to restrict flow

03/22/2010, 02:14 AM	#4
Mr. Brooks MASVC Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 3,477	I would up size it. I did the same exact thing with my 1262. Went from 3/4 to 1", then T'd it off to two 1" lines, then reduced two 3/4" at the end. Imagine drinking soda out of a straw, then imagine drinking soda out of one of those coffee straws. I feel like the less restriction you put on a pump the more flow you're going to get.