135g tenecor fowlr build.

[adamfinke]

I'm trying to decide how big of return pump I need. I have 2 drain tubes 1.5dia I believe. I have one return 3/4" with 5-6ft of return pvc with 1 flow control and 2 extra ball values for expansion later on. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[rdevoe11]

PVC Pipes - Friction Loss and Flow Velocity - Schedule 40

So based on the charts, if the velocity shouldn't exceed 5 ft/s you'd max a 1.5" drain at 1800gph..realistic number? Probably in the 1300-1400 range (just a guess) I would suggest linking the drains into a single 1.5" pipe leading to the sump with a gate/ball valve to control the flow into the sump..Your return pump will need to move some water..better to overdo it and tune it down

 

[adamfinke]

I measured wrong I have 1.25 drains which will have to stay separate to go into my sump that has 2 drains. I would think a mag 18 would be enough or something else.

 

[rdevoe11]

I would think a mag18 would do the trick, as long as one or both of your drains has a valve to control the flow

 

[adamfinke]

My drains are both valved, the return has a valve and a check installed. I just want to make sure that my pump is large enough to run two extra valved outputs for a reactor or something else.