1/2" pvc for return on 30 gallon tank

[S.O.MLemos]

If I were to build a 30 I would probably just have 1- 1/2” return and a 3/4” drain but that’s just me. Are you sure your only getting like 90gph because that’s such a low flow that you would barely even be able to feel it coming out? My little pump barely bigger than a golf ball that I just bought for my pico puts out 90-160gph.

 

[Chris Villalobos]

Welcome Chris!! You sound like an old-timer already.

With as many trials I have had with my small tank I feel like an old salt LOL! Been reefing for 4 years now lived through a couple tank crashes and almost quit do to an algae problem that never seemed to clear up even with 0 nutrients. I love this hobby though my tank is always a conversation piece.

 

[Chris Villalobos]

If I were to build a 30 I would probably just have 1- 1/2” return and a 3/4” drain but that’s just me. Are you sure your only getting like 90gph because that’s such a low flow that you would barely even be able to feel it coming out? My little pump barely bigger than a golf ball that I just bought for my pico puts out 90-160gph.

It's good you pressed me on this cause I just looked at the measuring cup I was using and I thought it said 2 cups, but it's actually 4 cups. So my pump is really putting out 180 gph! Still too low for what I want to accomplish, but a lot better than what I first thought.

 

[Chris Villalobos]

If I were to build a 30 I would probably just have 1- 1/2” return and a 3/4” drain but that’s just me. Are you sure your only getting like 90gph because that’s such a low flow that you would barely even be able to feel it coming out? My little pump barely bigger than a golf ball that I just bought for my pico puts out 90-160gph.

So here is my reasoning for always having two returns.... redundancy and head pressure. If I were to do it over I would have plumbed two smaller return pumps with check valves running on separate returns. If one dies at least the other keeps turning. The lower flow for each return decreases head pressure and allows for a less powerful pump.

I hate having to leave my aquarium on long vacations because if something breaks there are no redundancies to keep everything limping along till I get back. I plan to run two heaters with alarms at the same time because of this issue.

 

[Cornerboy]

So here is my reasoning for always having two returns.... redundancy and head pressure. If I were to do it over I would have plumbed two smaller return pumps with check valves running on separate returns. If one dies at least the other keeps turning. The lower flow for each return decreases head pressure and allows for a less powerful pump.

I hate having to leave my aquarium on long vacations because if something breaks there are no redundancies to keep everything limping along till I get back. I plan to run two heaters with alarms at the same time because of this issue.

Now you've got me thinking crazy. I bought CJ 3.5 as a backup and I'm still waiting on control to make up my mind on a controllable DC pump. My Sump is in the other room 20 feet away and I really don't want to run two sets of pipe. However, now I'm wondering if I could Plum both pumps at 3/4 in into the one in a quarter inch return pipe with backflow valves and have them both running on the same time. I'm probably just going to keep one as a spare, but now you got me thinking... let me know how that skimz works out please. It's a contender with the Reef Octopus, but I'm really waiting to see the sicce sdc 7.0

 

[Chris Villalobos]

If you haven't yet check out BRStv ULM plumbing:

 

[Chris Villalobos]

Now you've got me thinking crazy. I bought CJ 3.5 as a backup and I'm still waiting on control to make up my mind on a controllable DC pump. My Sump is in the other room 20 feet away and I really don't want to run two sets of pipe. However, now I'm wondering if I could Plum both pumps at 3/4 in into the one in a quarter inch return pipe with backflow valves and have them both running on the same time. I'm probably just going to keep one as a spare, but now you got me thinking... let me know how that skimz works out please. It's a contender with the Reef Octopus, but I'm really waiting to see the sicce sdc 7.0

I just installed the skimz quietpro 6000 l/h ( 1585 gph) DC Pump. Running it full throttle through my system right now. I haven't clocked it yet but safe to say it's super powerful. Plenty of flow through my tank now. Also it is super quiet. The cooling fans on my Kessil lights are louder! I really like the ramp up and feed mode. Pretty sweet pump for the money.