Size of returns and drains

blackthunda77 · 12/31/2013, 08:40 AM

I have a new tank im setting up. It is a dual corner overflow. Its a 195 gallon custom tank. Both holes in each overflow are set up for 1" bulk heads. So 4 1" bulk heads. I was planning on running 1 drain and 1 return in each overflow. I have the jebao dc12000 pump. Will 2 1" drains be enough for a decent amount of flow? I was planning on plumbing the drains with 1 1/4" plumbing but with the bulkheads being 1" will that even matter since there will basically be a bottleneck there? If theres no point then ill just plumb with 1" plumbing.

Should i make 3 of the holes 1" drains and just one return? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

blackthunda77 · 12/31/2013, 09:00 AM

after doing some research, i think i may just bite the bullet and redrill the holes to accommodate 1.5" bulkheads to be safer. 1" drains seems just too small, even with 2 of them.

Meanstreet5150 · 12/31/2013, 12:51 PM

1 inch will be fine for returns. Then you put power heads for flow.

Vinny Kreyling · 12/31/2013, 01:09 PM

I have a Herbie on a 250 with 1" drains & a DC 10000 running on 5 out of 6.
If I wanted to turn it up I would adjust it with no problems.

mcgyvr · 12/31/2013, 02:41 PM

2 x 1" is NOT sufficient for a DC12000 (assuming short head with the sump right under display)..
I have a bean animal setup with 1" bulkheads but 1.5" everything else and just picked up the DC12000.. speed 4 of 6 is the max I can run safely. On 6 the open channel goes full siphon and gets close to the emergency drain. If it was 1.5 all the way it would be fine..

No way could I sleep at night with only 2 x 1" and no emergency drain like with a BA setup..

Vinny Kreyling · 12/31/2013, 04:57 PM

Since you are running this pump I will defer to you then.
I have a 12000 as a backup but it has not seen water yet.
Happy New Year guys!

SGT_York · 12/31/2013, 05:01 PM

Drill the larger holes and do a dual herbie setup.

You won't have even close to a quiet tank, even with 1.5" bulkheads, with that kind of flow.

mcgyvr · 01/01/2014, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGT_York

You won't have even close to a quiet tank, even with 1.5" bulkheads, with that kind of flow.

well my bean animal is dead silent with that kind of flow..

phxreefer · 01/01/2014, 10:10 AM

When deciding overflow drain sizes I first try to decide how much flow I want going through my sump. I also try to figure out how much flow the sump can handle.There could be a lot of factors that could come into play here. Like the size and configuration of the sump itself.

A 20L converted into a sump will not handle the same return flow as a well designed sump that is sized appropriately for your tank and your needs. A wider sump would normally flow more water than a narrow one without splashing or water falling at the dividers.

Another thing to consider is the way you will use your pump. Will it be for return only? Or will you use a manifold to feed other items?

The great thing about a DC pump is that you can tune it to your system and not worry about if the drains will handle the flow. If they don't just turn it down. Then you have some reserve for future expansion.

To your original question, I am running the jebao 12k on a new 150g. The drains are set up (2) 3/4 and (2) 1". The tank is tempered so no option of changing the holes. I herbied the 3/4 together into a single 1 1/2 gate valve and left the 1" for emergency drains. The thing is that the return is feeding a frag tank in the stand so not all the flow is returned to the tank. To test everything I closed the gate valve to be sure the emergency could handle the flow going to the main tank.

Hope this helps.

12/31/2013, 08:40 AM	#1
blackthunda77 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: East Coast/West Coast Posts: 4,887	Size of returns and drains I have a new tank im setting up. It is a dual corner overflow. Its a 195 gallon custom tank. Both holes in each overflow are set up for 1" bulk heads. So 4 1" bulk heads. I was planning on running 1 drain and 1 return in each overflow. I have the jebao dc12000 pump. Will 2 1" drains be enough for a decent amount of flow? I was planning on plumbing the drains with 1 1/4" plumbing but with the bulkheads being 1" will that even matter since there will basically be a bottleneck there? If theres no point then ill just plumb with 1" plumbing. Should i make 3 of the holes 1" drains and just one return? Any suggestions would be appreciated. __________________ - John *blackthunda stands for a black Mistubishi 3000GT with black rims I used to own. Don't get any funny ideas! Current Tank Info: 200 Gal custom tank with dual corner overflows, 80 gal custom sump/refugium, Neptune Apex controller, Dual Lumenmax Elite reflectors with 250 Radiums, SWC 160 Cone Skimmer, 2x Jebao WP-25....and some other stuff.

12/31/2013, 09:00 AM	#2
blackthunda77 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: East Coast/West Coast Posts: 4,887	after doing some research, i think i may just bite the bullet and redrill the holes to accommodate 1.5" bulkheads to be safer. 1" drains seems just too small, even with 2 of them. __________________ - John *blackthunda stands for a black Mistubishi 3000GT with black rims I used to own. Don't get any funny ideas! Current Tank Info: 200 Gal custom tank with dual corner overflows, 80 gal custom sump/refugium, Neptune Apex controller, Dual Lumenmax Elite reflectors with 250 Radiums, SWC 160 Cone Skimmer, 2x Jebao WP-25....and some other stuff.

12/31/2013, 02:41 PM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	2 x 1" is NOT sufficient for a DC12000 (assuming short head with the sump right under display).. I have a bean animal setup with 1" bulkheads but 1.5" everything else and just picked up the DC12000.. speed 4 of 6 is the max I can run safely. On 6 the open channel goes full siphon and gets close to the emergency drain. If it was 1.5 all the way it would be fine.. No way could I sleep at night with only 2 x 1" and no emergency drain like with a BA setup.. __________________ Who me?

12/31/2013, 12:51 PM	#3
Meanstreet5150 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 117	1 inch will be fine for returns. Then you put power heads for flow.

12/31/2013, 01:09 PM	#4
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	I have a Herbie on a 250 with 1" drains & a DC 10000 running on 5 out of 6. If I wanted to turn it up I would adjust it with no problems.

12/31/2013, 04:57 PM	#6
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Since you are running this pump I will defer to you then. I have a 12000 as a backup but it has not seen water yet. Happy New Year guys!

12/31/2013, 05:01 PM	#7
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	Drill the larger holes and do a dual herbie setup. You won't have even close to a quiet tank, even with 1.5" bulkheads, with that kind of flow.

01/01/2014, 10:10 AM	#9
phxreefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 146	When deciding overflow drain sizes I first try to decide how much flow I want going through my sump. I also try to figure out how much flow the sump can handle.There could be a lot of factors that could come into play here. Like the size and configuration of the sump itself. A 20L converted into a sump will not handle the same return flow as a well designed sump that is sized appropriately for your tank and your needs. A wider sump would normally flow more water than a narrow one without splashing or water falling at the dividers. Another thing to consider is the way you will use your pump. Will it be for return only? Or will you use a manifold to feed other items? The great thing about a DC pump is that you can tune it to your system and not worry about if the drains will handle the flow. If they don't just turn it down. Then you have some reserve for future expansion. To your original question, I am running the jebao 12k on a new 150g. The drains are set up (2) 3/4 and (2) 1". The tank is tempered so no option of changing the holes. I herbied the 3/4 together into a single 1 1/2 gate valve and left the 1" for emergency drains. The thing is that the return is feeding a frag tank in the stand so not all the flow is returned to the tank. To test everything I closed the gate valve to be sure the emergency could handle the flow going to the main tank. Hope this helps.