return plumbing w/duel overflow

Humuhumunuku · 03/06/2006, 03:09 AM

I just got a 135 "reef ready" oceanic aquarium with duel overflow. I will be useing a megaflow wet dry filter/sump. There are a number of ways to plumb this, and im not sure which is best. Should i run a single pump and branch it to the 2 overflows, rune a single pump and only use one of the returns, or use 2 pumps going to seperate returns. Also, should the chiller be hooked up in line with one of the returns, or on a seperate pump?

DJ88© · 03/07/2006, 12:05 AM

This thread has been moved to the current forum.

Alaskan Reefer · 03/07/2006, 05:23 AM

I would opt for a single pump branched to two nozzles -- spread the flow out some. Then add two Tunze streams and you're done dealing with flow. I don't own a chiller, but I don't see why you couldn't plumb it with one of the return lines. I have the Megaflow Sump 4 myself, great spot for a Euroreef CS-180, by the way.

Eheim 1262 sounds like a very good pump for what you're doing. I love mine.

mille239 · 03/07/2006, 08:14 AM

FWIW I personally used both holes in both overflows for drains, yielding 4 drains to the sump, (more flow) Then simply had the return pumped over the back of the tank at both corners in the rear.

SDguy · 03/07/2006, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mille239
FWIW I personally used both holes in both overflows for drains, yielding 4 drains to the sump, (more flow) Then simply had the return pumped over the back of the tank at both corners in the rear.

I agree with this, except I would use the two extra holes as backup drains. Always have redundency on your reef, when possible. Especially for something like a tank overflow. Just my 2 cents.

mille239 · 03/07/2006, 09:26 AM

Great minds think alike SDguy; this is actually how mine is set up... the two 3/4" drains are about an inch higher than the 1 1/4" durso's, for redundancy, but are not actively draining.

Alaskan Reefer · 03/07/2006, 06:25 PM

I suppose the right setup depends on how much flow you want going through your sump. I originally thought the two large pipes would consumate redudancy -- only expected 600 gph or so through the sump since I prefer Tunze streams over a ripping return pump. Unfortunately, the Eheim 1262 puts out around 800 at 4' head (don't believe the numbers they're underrated), so I guess worst case I will fill my tank with sump water if anything clogs -- which still wouldn't overflow it, however...

If you were planning on going to or near the 1200 gph limit for the standard drains, you'd be well served to have at least three of them as drains. Just depends on what you want to do.

Humuhumunuku · 03/08/2006, 04:55 PM

thanks for the input, never thought of useing one or both of the return pipes for increasced overflow. Time to be a bit newbish...whats a tunze system

agfahy · 03/09/2006, 05:29 AM

I say run 1 intake and 1 return but make 2 PVC rectangles, at the top and bottom of your aquarium, with female "T" fittings every 12" so you can screw in 3/4" Loc-Line fittings when and where you please. Cap off the ones you are not using.
This will eliminate your need for powerheads and also give you limitless possibilities on your water flow.
Plan your ball valves accordingly.

Good luck.

mille239 · 03/09/2006, 07:41 AM

To address your chiller question, IMO it is best to have it's own dedicated pump so flow control can be better calibrated, without decreasing output to the tank, but I have seen systems running it off the return pump. I would stick with one main return pump for the sump, and one for the chiller-loop running to and from the sump.

bureau13 · 03/09/2006, 08:04 AM

I'm planning on running my chiller off of my return pump (but plumbing the chiller return back to the sump) but I'll be using a Sequence Dart for the return pump, so I have flow aplenty.

jds

mille239 · 03/09/2006, 08:11 AM

You'll love that Dart )bureau13. Just got mine going last night, and all I can say is... wowza. (very quiet too)

fella1320 · 03/09/2006, 08:49 AM

just to throw it out there what about running one pump and have it go through a squid to get some random flow

03/06/2006, 03:09 AM	#1
Humuhumunuku Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Townsville, AU Posts: 616 Blog Entries: 1	return plumbing w/duel overflow I just got a 135 "reef ready" oceanic aquarium with duel overflow. I will be useing a megaflow wet dry filter/sump. There are a number of ways to plumb this, and im not sure which is best. Should i run a single pump and branch it to the 2 overflows, rune a single pump and only use one of the returns, or use 2 pumps going to seperate returns. Also, should the chiller be hooked up in line with one of the returns, or on a seperate pump? __________________ They mostly come at night. Mostly. Current Tank Info: 135g mixed reef

03/07/2006, 12:05 AM	#2
DJ88© Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: BC. Canada. Posts: 14,351	This thread has been moved to the current forum. __________________ Darren Beauty fades.... Stupid is forever...... Current Tank Info: 34 Gal Solana with some lights.. and pumps that make water move. And fish...

03/07/2006, 05:23 AM	#3
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	I would opt for a single pump branched to two nozzles -- spread the flow out some. Then add two Tunze streams and you're done dealing with flow. I don't own a chiller, but I don't see why you couldn't plumb it with one of the return lines. I have the Megaflow Sump 4 myself, great spot for a Euroreef CS-180, by the way. Eheim 1262 sounds like a very good pump for what you're doing. I love mine. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

03/07/2006, 08:14 AM	#4
mille239 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrison Twp., MI Posts: 1,644	FWIW I personally used both holes in both overflows for drains, yielding 4 drains to the sump, (more flow) Then simply had the return pumped over the back of the tank at both corners in the rear. __________________ -Blair Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the creation of this post, though a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced. Current Tank Info: 120 SPS reef in progress, 120 mixed reef, currently being completely rebuilt)

03/07/2006, 09:26 AM	#6
mille239 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrison Twp., MI Posts: 1,644	Great minds think alike SDguy; this is actually how mine is set up... the two 3/4" drains are about an inch higher than the 1 1/4" durso's, for redundancy, but are not actively draining. __________________ -Blair Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the creation of this post, though a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced. Current Tank Info: 120 SPS reef in progress, 120 mixed reef, currently being completely rebuilt)

03/07/2006, 06:25 PM	#7
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	I suppose the right setup depends on how much flow you want going through your sump. I originally thought the two large pipes would consumate redudancy -- only expected 600 gph or so through the sump since I prefer Tunze streams over a ripping return pump. Unfortunately, the Eheim 1262 puts out around 800 at 4' head (don't believe the numbers they're underrated), so I guess worst case I will fill my tank with sump water if anything clogs -- which still wouldn't overflow it, however... If you were planning on going to or near the 1200 gph limit for the standard drains, you'd be well served to have at least three of them as drains. Just depends on what you want to do. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

03/08/2006, 04:55 PM	#8
Humuhumunuku Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Townsville, AU Posts: 616 Blog Entries: 1	thanks for the input, never thought of useing one or both of the return pipes for increasced overflow. Time to be a bit newbish...whats a tunze system __________________ They mostly come at night. Mostly. Current Tank Info: 135g mixed reef

03/09/2006, 05:29 AM	#9
agfahy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 106	I say run 1 intake and 1 return but make 2 PVC rectangles, at the top and bottom of your aquarium, with female "T" fittings every 12" so you can screw in 3/4" Loc-Line fittings when and where you please. Cap off the ones you are not using. This will eliminate your need for powerheads and also give you limitless possibilities on your water flow. Plan your ball valves accordingly. Good luck.

03/09/2006, 07:41 AM	#10
mille239 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrison Twp., MI Posts: 1,644	To address your chiller question, IMO it is best to have it's own dedicated pump so flow control can be better calibrated, without decreasing output to the tank, but I have seen systems running it off the return pump. I would stick with one main return pump for the sump, and one for the chiller-loop running to and from the sump. __________________ -Blair Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the creation of this post, though a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced. Current Tank Info: 120 SPS reef in progress, 120 mixed reef, currently being completely rebuilt)

03/09/2006, 08:04 AM	#11
bureau13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,936	I'm planning on running my chiller off of my return pump (but plumbing the chiller return back to the sump) but I'll be using a Sequence Dart for the return pump, so I have flow aplenty. jds

03/09/2006, 08:11 AM	#12
mille239 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrison Twp., MI Posts: 1,644	You'll love that Dart )bureau13. Just got mine going last night, and all I can say is... wowza. (very quiet too) __________________ -Blair Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the creation of this post, though a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced. Current Tank Info: 120 SPS reef in progress, 120 mixed reef, currently being completely rebuilt)

03/09/2006, 08:49 AM	#13
fella1320 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: lebanon pa Posts: 556	just to throw it out there what about running one pump and have it go through a squid to get some random flow __________________ "What have i done" Current Tank Info: 65 gallon with 10 gallon skimmer sump and 15 gallon fuge 2x 175watt Xm 10K and 3 95 watt VHO actinic