How big do drain pipes need to be?

[nrbelk]

I'm working on designing/planning the plumbing for my large reef tank. Its 300 gallons and I'm planning on getting a return pump that does anywhere from 900 to 1200 GPH.

Most of those pumps come with a 3/4 inch output fitting. How large of pipes should I make my drains be to handle that much water?

[Jeff000]

1200gph is for like a 90g tank.

I have a 330 dt and using a reeflo hammerhead. It's like 6000gph. I have it split into two 2" returns. And I use a 2" to feed it.

I use a 2" drain that is almost wide open full siphon. I have three 2" drains though. The one full siphon, one dry emergency and one herbie style that basically regulates the full siphon so maybe 5% of the drain work.

[nrbelk]

Originally Posted by Jeff000

1200gph is for like a 90g tank.

I have a 330 dt and using a reeflo hammerhead. It's like 6000gph. I have it split into two 2" returns. And I use a 2" to feed it.

I use a 2" drain that is almost wide open full siphon. I have three 2" drains though. The one full siphon, one dry emergency and one herbie style that basically regulates the full siphon so maybe 5% of the drain work.

How much flow total do you have in your tank?

I thought that 1200 would be suitable because if I was shooting for x10 turn over per hour that would be 4 turnovers and then I could get a few powerheads for the additional turnover.

[Jeff000]

Originally Posted by nrbelk

How much flow total do you have in your tank?

I thought that 1200 would be suitable because if I was shooting for x10 turn over per hour that would be 4 turnovers and then I could get a few powerheads for the additional turnover.

Keep in mind too that 1200gph is at zero head pressure. Assuming straight up and into the tank you'll only have 800gph at best.

The turnover into the sump has to be at least what the skimmer can pull in. So you'll be looking at 2000gph+

Look at turnover in the tank and sump as two completely different items.

If you're going to run any reactors or etc off the return pump you again need to go larger.

The size of your sump will have an effect too. My sump is 72x30x22high. And I think the flow through it is as low as I'd want.

I have lots of power head power as well. Probably in the 11000gph range.



Was running a 900gph return with my 90g

[Hodge1995]

It is ok to match your skimmer with the flow thru your sump, but that will be nowhere near enough flow for a 300 gallon tank. I would do a closed loop besides the sump just for flow alone, these larger thanks are hard to get enough flow in.

[Sn8kbyt]

I run a mag 12 in my 90g setup and if I had to do it over I would have gone larger. Adding reactors onto the already pump loss of head pressure on my small system compared to your 300g + sump? I think you are way under estimating what you need.

I am planning a 300g addition to the new home we live in and closed loop at 5-7k gph is already a minimum plus at least 3-5k gph through a 125 gallon sump.

[Hodge1995]

Originally Posted by Sn8kbyt

I run a mag 12 in my 90g setup and if I had to do it over I would have gone larger. Adding reactors onto the already pump loss of head pressure on my small system compared to your 300g + sump? I think you are way under estimating what you need.

I am planning a 300g addition to the new home we live in and closed loop at 5-7k gph is already a minimum plus at least 3-5k gph through a 125 gallon sump.

I agree. I have a 300 now I am going to have to drill for a closed loop. I believe I am going to try the reeflo hammerhead at 6k.

[Jeff000]

Originally Posted by Hodge1995

I agree. I have a 300 now I am going to have to drill for a closed loop. I believe I am going to try the reeflo hammerhead at 6k.

I prefer my couple of large tunze 6125s I think and then a couple smaller 6065.
I could never commit to a closed loop flow.
I originally had my hammerhead go into the tank in a single 2", but it was ridiculous flow, like a fire hose, even if tangs would swim in front of it they would be slammed against the glass. They dual 2" is still a lot of flow, but I use my powerheads as primary flow.

[ca1ore]

Tank-turnover through the sump, closed loop, and in-tank circulation are three completely different things IMO/IME. Running 1-3 times tank volume through the sump is more than enough. Just need to adequately feed the skimmer and make sure that you get even heating (if heaters are in the sump). About the only reason I can think of to have more flow is if you want to use the pump return to move water (and detritus) out from behind your rockwork, but a closed loop will do this far more efficiently, in part because it is not fighting gravity. In-tank power-heads, particularly the broad flow ones, will do a far better - and again more efficient - job of providing in-tank flow.

I use a PanWorld 50 (590 g/hr) on my 90. After gravity, pipe and manifold losses, I am getting a net of about 300 inot my tank - more than enough! I also then use a couple of Vortech pumps for in-tank flow and a Blue line 20 in a closed loop to blow behind the rockwork. Seems to work just fine.

[nrbelk]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Tank-turnover through the sump, closed loop, and in-tank circulation are three completely different things IMO/IME. Running 1-3 times tank volume through the sump is more than enough. Just need to adequately feed the skimmer and make sure that you get even heating (if heaters are in the sump). About the only reason I can think of to have more flow is if you want to use the pump return to move water (and detritus) out from behind your rockwork, but a closed loop will do this far more efficiently, in part because it is not fighting gravity. In-tank power-heads, particularly the broad flow ones, will do a far better - and again more efficient - job of providing in-tank flow.

I use a PanWorld 50 (590 g/hr) on my 90. After gravity, pipe and manifold losses, I am getting a net of about 300 inot my tank - more than enough! I also then use a couple of Vortech pumps for in-tank flow and a Blue line 20 in a closed loop to blow behind the rockwork. Seems to work just fine.

This is kind of what I was thinking. That the sump/return pump is only for filtration, heating, and maintenance while powerheads within the display tank would provide most of the flow for stirring detritus as well as providing current.

Is this not the standard?

[Jeff000]

Originally Posted by nrbelk

This is kind of what I was thinking. That the sump/return pump is only for filtration, heating, and maintenance while powerheads within the display tank would provide most of the flow for stirring detritus as well as providing current.

Is this not the standard?

In a 300g dt system your skimmer is going to need 2000gph flow.