Return plumbing question

Makede · 03/29/2015, 01:37 PM

Hello all,

I have a 50g + 15g sump that I am in the process of plumbing with the herbie method. My question is, I am doing an over-the-back return and need to know what size to plumb the return. Currently, the drain and emergency drain are both 1", so I assume I should plumb 1" to the return? My second question is, what return pump should I use to get the best flow? I prefer something very silent and not too spendy under $200.

Thanks!

mmn · 03/29/2015, 01:58 PM

1. Determine what flow rate you consider "best flow". Somewhere between 3x and 10x system volume usually.

2. Determine your head loss driven by your return plumbing configuration. There are calculators on this site that will do that based on pipe size, length of vertical/horizontal runs, number and type of fittings and valves, etc.

3. Pumps are rated at full power and 0 head loss usually, but they'll have a chart that will indicate flow rates at different head heights.

4. Once you know what flow rate you want and what the head height is, you can look at various pumps that will deliver that. Price will be driven by reliability, reputation, durability, etc.

5. If you tee off the return to feed other stuff like reactors, refugium, factor that in.

Regards
Michael

03/29/2015, 01:37 PM	#1
Makede Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 5	Return plumbing question Hello all, I have a 50g + 15g sump that I am in the process of plumbing with the herbie method. My question is, I am doing an over-the-back return and need to know what size to plumb the return. Currently, the drain and emergency drain are both 1", so I assume I should plumb 1" to the return? My second question is, what return pump should I use to get the best flow? I prefer something very silent and not too spendy under $200. Thanks!

03/29/2015, 01:58 PM	#2
mmn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 340	1. Determine what flow rate you consider "best flow". Somewhere between 3x and 10x system volume usually. 2. Determine your head loss driven by your return plumbing configuration. There are calculators on this site that will do that based on pipe size, length of vertical/horizontal runs, number and type of fittings and valves, etc. 3. Pumps are rated at full power and 0 head loss usually, but they'll have a chart that will indicate flow rates at different head heights. 4. Once you know what flow rate you want and what the head height is, you can look at various pumps that will deliver that. Price will be driven by reliability, reputation, durability, etc. 5. If you tee off the return to feed other stuff like reactors, refugium, factor that in. Regards Michael __________________ Regards Michael 125g DT, Jebao DC9000, BA drain, 55g sump, Mixing: 2x32g Brutes, Panworld 30PX, 20l QT, RLSS R6I skimmer, 3 x Kessil A360WE, Neptune Apex. Current Tank Info: 2 clowns, 2 blue-green chromis, 2 Duncans and 2 GSPs