Aquarium Drains and Returns

Coronus

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 22, 2013
Messages
1,721
Reaction score
1,075
Location
Bermuda Triangle
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Hello, So I am purchasing my first custom aquarium in a few days. It’s a 243 gallon tank. It has a center overflow with 3x 1 inch holes. One hole is going to be the return, another I would like to use as a full siphon drain, and the last hole as an emergency drain. My question is, does this sound like a good enough plumbing system for this size tank?
The pump I was going to buy was a Sicce Syncra 5.0 rated for 1300gph or maybe a 4.0. Rated for around 950gph. These are rough estimates.
The flow rate I want through the sump is around 5x.
Thoughts?
 
There are flow rate tables that show a 1 inch pipe flow rate at 600. Note that there are variables. That said, I've seen 1 inch pipe max out at 900 gph.

Is the sump directly below the tank or are you setting up a basement sump? That will impact your headloss on the return pump...and therefore the choice of pumps.
 
I'd say try it it out with the second return pipe maybe half a inch higher than the main drain. So if it doesn't drain enough the second pipe will kick on fairly quickly to assist with the excess water.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%

New Posts

Back
Top