40 breeder question!

[Anexs97]

Im moving and downsizing my tank from a 125 to 40. I have a few questions on how i should go about plumbing the 40 gallon. For the return im going to use a vetra m1.what size pipe should i use for the return How? And how many should I do two or one? I want to uses soft tubing for thr return how can I use a brs check valve? Also for the return what size should I go, 1", 3/4", or 1/2"?How many radions should put on the 40g one or two? I have a skimmer that is rated for 150g to 250g could I use this on the 40 or will it be to big? Last question what size sump should I go with?

 

[piranhaman00]

I just set up a 40b so I’ll just say what I did.

Two Jebao 2500 returns, you get the redundancy of two pumps for less than the vectra. I use 3/4” and have the pumps on the lowest setting, works great.

Two radian 15

I used a 29 gallon sump, works but compared to my 75 gallon sump it’s tough to fit everything.

You could use that skimmer but it won’t fit in a small sump, you’d have to almost use another 40b to get the width required.

Oh ya and check valves are a bad idea and rarely needed.

 

[Anexs97]

I should of mentioned I already have the vectra m1 from my 125 also i have a jebao 20000. My protein skimmer should of mentioned does not need to be in the sump. Sorry about that. Is the 29 gallon long or standard?

 

[piranhaman00]

It’s standard , a protein skimmer can’t be too big, you run the risk of bottoming out nutrients though.

 

[Anexs97]

It’s standard , a protein skimmer can’t be too big, you run the risk of bottoming out nutrients though.

Ok that stucks I have a custom bashsea skimmer.

 

[Anexs97]

I just set up a 40b so I’ll just say what I did.

Two Jebao 2500 returns, you get the redundancy of two pumps for less than the vectra. I use 3/4” and have the pumps on the lowest setting, works great.

Two radian 15

I used a 29 gallon sump, works but compared to my 75 gallon sump it’s tough to fit everything.

You could use that skimmer but it won’t fit in a small sump, you’d have to almost use another 40b to get the width required.

Oh ya and check valves are a bad idea and rarely needed.

I have 2 brs check valve on my 125. It prevents back Siphon.

 

[piranhaman00]

I have 2 brs check valve on my 125. It prevents back Siphon.

I know what they do, but they fail often. Not smart to rely on check valve for sump overflow.

 

[Anexs97]

I know what they do, but they fail often. Not smart to rely on check valve for sump overflow.

ok cool thank you! save me some money. what size should I go with for my return? i was thinking 3/4 just to make it easier with soft tubing.

 

[piranhaman00]

ok cool thank you! save me some money. what size should I go with for my return? i was thinking 3/4 just to make it easier with soft tubing.

I use PVC but I also used 3/4” for my 40B

 

[Anexs97]

I use PVC but I also used 3/4” for my 40B

ok i think i might do pvc for the drain. and 3/4 soft tubing for the return