Return lines and Loc Line sizing

Gunsnroses · 01/08/2014, 07:00 PM

If my return lines are 3/4 inch, is it o.k. to run two 3/4 inch Loc Lines off of one 3/4 inch return or should I run 1 inch returns and step those down to 3/4 inch at the Loc Line connectors?
I have a 1 inch line on the return of my pump which tee's off into two 3/4 return lines over the back of the tank.

smb2415 · 01/08/2014, 07:12 PM

on my setup i have 2" return from my hammerhead and tees into 1.5" pipe each running along the length of each side of the tank.
Off of the 1.5" there are (2) 3/4" Y's with 3/4" loc-line on each side returning to the tank.

I mention this to give you the idea and where I'm an coming from. While I have excellent flow it is not a powerful hose-like stream out of the loc-line. My preference would be to increase the pressure a bit so I am debating either removing the Y or changing the 3/4" loc-line returns to 1/2".

In your case, and assuming your not looking for a water jet I would recommend running the 1" as far as you can and then either:
(2) 1/2" loc-lines -for more pressure, stronger flow
or
(2) 3/4" lox-lines -for less pressure but good flow.

Hope this helps.

P------1.5"---Y------Y

------2"-----|

L------1.5"---Y-------Y

oscarinw · 01/08/2014, 07:29 PM

I think you should stay at 3/4"

Gunsnroses · 01/08/2014, 07:35 PM

2" return!!! Wow, thats huge.

My return pump is a Reef Octopus DC-5500.
I have a pair of 1 1/2 drains going into a 75 gallon sump/refugium.
I have a single 1" return line coming off of the pump.
But then tees off to a pair of 3/4's over the back of the tank.

Should I run a single 1 1/2 up to the first tee, then split into a pair of 1 inch lines over the back of the tank and then Y off to a pair of 3/4 inch Loc Lines on each 1 inch line?

Or would running a 1" line tee off to a pair of 1" lines to the top of the tank and then Y off to a pair of 3/4 Loc Lines be sufficient?

I have already ordered and received the 3/4 Loc Line set-up.
But I forgot I had 3/4 inch return lines.

I am just looking for good flow with these Loc Lines. I will have a pair of
WP40's in the tank to help with water movement.

In total, the end result will be four 3/4 Loc Line outputs into the tank.

Joel_155 · 01/08/2014, 07:42 PM

I would go with 1inch and step down using bushings.

smb2415 · 01/08/2014, 07:46 PM

the deciding factor on sizing your return plumbing is the output of your return pump. Then factor in head loss and friction for use of fittings, etc. Here is one chart shading flows for pac pipe.
http://flexpvc.com/WaterFlowBasedOnPipeSize.shtml

Your pump has a max flow of 1450gph. 1" pvc at avg pressure max around 2,220gph.

Given the above I would still keep with my original advice. If ift were me I would run 1" as far as I could to the loc-line and use 1/2" loc-lines.

Gunsnroses · 01/08/2014, 09:04 PM

I can change the 3/4 return lines to 1" but I already have all the 3/4 inch Loc Lines so I have to stay with those.

smb2415 · 01/08/2014, 09:12 PM

at leas then you'll know if you need the 1/2" loc-lines. You could also use pendulicators (sp) to increase flow although I never never used them so I can't say how effective they are.

tmz · 01/09/2014, 12:12 AM

The split to two 3/4 s from one 3/4 won't effect the total output or head loss. Here are some figures on pipe dimensions and capacities without pressure for your reference:

diameter area capacity

3/4 inch 1.39 inches 330gph

1 inch 2.46 inches 590gph

1 1/4 inches 3.85inches 900gph

1 1/2 inches 5.56 inches 1300gph

2 inches 9.86 inches 2300gph

I use 2 inch returns on my system.

SGT_York · 01/09/2014, 08:04 AM

I run 3 3/4" lockines from one 3/4" pipe, locklines add lots of friction so the more the merrier. also helps eliminate deadspots.

01/08/2014, 07:00 PM	#1
Gunsnroses Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Pleasant View TN Posts: 421	Return lines and Loc Line sizing If my return lines are 3/4 inch, is it o.k. to run two 3/4 inch Loc Lines off of one 3/4 inch return or should I run 1 inch returns and step those down to 3/4 inch at the Loc Line connectors? I have a 1 inch line on the return of my pump which tee's off into two 3/4 return lines over the back of the tank. __________________ He who gets frustrated with freshwater tank, Never owned a Reef tank Current Tank Info: 180 gallon RR-75 gallon sump-50 gallon Refugium-RO Diablo DCS 200 Skimmer-Diablo 10500 and 5500 return pumps-Spectrapure MaxCap 90gpd

01/08/2014, 07:12 PM	#2
smb2415 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 738	on my setup i have 2" return from my hammerhead and tees into 1.5" pipe each running along the length of each side of the tank. Off of the 1.5" there are (2) 3/4" Y's with 3/4" loc-line on each side returning to the tank. I mention this to give you the idea and where I'm an coming from. While I have excellent flow it is not a powerful hose-like stream out of the loc-line. My preference would be to increase the pressure a bit so I am debating either removing the Y or changing the 3/4" loc-line returns to 1/2". In your case, and assuming your not looking for a water jet I would recommend running the 1" as far as you can and then either: (2) 1/2" loc-lines -for more pressure, stronger flow or (2) 3/4" lox-lines -for less pressure but good flow. Hope this helps. P------1.5"---Y------Y ------2"-----\| L------1.5"---Y-------Y __________________ Custom 7'x3'x42"tall 550g glass DT/~800g system. (GHL Mitras died) - looking for new solution. Hammerhead / DC10000 / MP60. Bean overflow C2C. Apex. Custom Heater. Last edited by smb2415; 01/08/2014 at 07:19 PM.

01/08/2014, 07:35 PM	#4
Gunsnroses Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Pleasant View TN Posts: 421	2" return!!! Wow, thats huge. My return pump is a Reef Octopus DC-5500. I have a pair of 1 1/2 drains going into a 75 gallon sump/refugium. I have a single 1" return line coming off of the pump. But then tees off to a pair of 3/4's over the back of the tank. Should I run a single 1 1/2 up to the first tee, then split into a pair of 1 inch lines over the back of the tank and then Y off to a pair of 3/4 inch Loc Lines on each 1 inch line? Or would running a 1" line tee off to a pair of 1" lines to the top of the tank and then Y off to a pair of 3/4 Loc Lines be sufficient? I have already ordered and received the 3/4 Loc Line set-up. But I forgot I had 3/4 inch return lines. I am just looking for good flow with these Loc Lines. I will have a pair of WP40's in the tank to help with water movement. In total, the end result will be four 3/4 Loc Line outputs into the tank. __________________ He who gets frustrated with freshwater tank, Never owned a Reef tank Current Tank Info: 180 gallon RR-75 gallon sump-50 gallon Refugium-RO Diablo DCS 200 Skimmer-Diablo 10500 and 5500 return pumps-Spectrapure MaxCap 90gpd

01/08/2014, 07:46 PM	#6
smb2415 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 738	the deciding factor on sizing your return plumbing is the output of your return pump. Then factor in head loss and friction for use of fittings, etc. Here is one chart shading flows for pac pipe. http://flexpvc.com/WaterFlowBasedOnPipeSize.shtml Your pump has a max flow of 1450gph. 1" pvc at avg pressure max around 2,220gph. Given the above I would still keep with my original advice. If ift were me I would run 1" as far as I could to the loc-line and use 1/2" loc-lines. __________________ Custom 7'x3'x42"tall 550g glass DT/~800g system. (GHL Mitras died) - looking for new solution. Hammerhead / DC10000 / MP60. Bean overflow C2C. Apex. Custom Heater.

01/08/2014, 09:04 PM	#7
Gunsnroses Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Pleasant View TN Posts: 421	I can change the 3/4 return lines to 1" but I already have all the 3/4 inch Loc Lines so I have to stay with those. __________________ He who gets frustrated with freshwater tank, Never owned a Reef tank Current Tank Info: 180 gallon RR-75 gallon sump-50 gallon Refugium-RO Diablo DCS 200 Skimmer-Diablo 10500 and 5500 return pumps-Spectrapure MaxCap 90gpd

01/08/2014, 07:29 PM	#3
oscarinw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 1,091	I think you should stay at 3/4"

01/08/2014, 07:42 PM	#5
Joel_155 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,402	I would go with 1inch and step down using bushings.

01/08/2014, 09:12 PM	#8
smb2415 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 738	at leas then you'll know if you need the 1/2" loc-lines. You could also use pendulicators (sp) to increase flow although I never never used them so I can't say how effective they are. __________________ Custom 7'x3'x42"tall 550g glass DT/~800g system. (GHL Mitras died) - looking for new solution. Hammerhead / DC10000 / MP60. Bean overflow C2C. Apex. Custom Heater.

01/09/2014, 12:12 AM	#9
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	The split to two 3/4 s from one 3/4 won't effect the total output or head loss. Here are some figures on pipe dimensions and capacities without pressure for your reference: diameter area capacity 3/4 inch 1.39 inches 330gph 1 inch 2.46 inches 590gph 1 1/4 inches 3.85inches 900gph 1 1/2 inches 5.56 inches 1300gph 2 inches 9.86 inches 2300gph I use 2 inch returns on my system. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals. Last edited by tmz; 01/09/2014 at 12:19 AM.

01/09/2014, 08:04 AM	#10
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	I run 3 3/4" lockines from one 3/4" pipe, locklines add lots of friction so the more the merrier. also helps eliminate deadspots.