DIY overflow and return pump, need help!

[heaven425]

Hello everyone
I am upgrading from a 25 gallon reef tank to a 75 gallon 48"x18"x20" I am going to use my 25G for a refugium. I am planning on diy the overflow with pvc to the sump my question is what size pvc and return pump will I need for this set up? Return from sump is about 3 to 4 ft. Also any ideas on the best diy overflow, watched all the youtube I could find but would value your thoughts and experience.
Thanks for all the help
Kat

 

[Degener8]

I have a DIY overflow now and it handles roughly 300 gph at 3/4 in piping. If I had planned to use this long term I would have done 1.5 in pipe and shot for double peso the flow I have now...running on a 75 gallon tank. Most important advice is make it as large as feesible and put the T as low as possible.
also be sure to use an aqualifter to keep air bubbles out of the top U and for really priming if needed.

 

[heaven425]

Everything I have seen online would say 1.5 it just seems so big have any idea about size of pump to get for 1.5", and what did you do to make sure it doesn't flood the room? Thanks

 

[mcoxe77]

Degener, do you keep the aqua lifter running all the time...? I have the same setup but in 1". I don't use the aqua lifter all the time. I only used to start the siphon, but I also have an airline valve I use to close off after I started it. I haven't had any trouble with it, but sometimes I get a gurgling sound. I also put the silencer on the intake side and that's where it gurgles. Has never overflowed and always started right back up after I turn the return pump off.

 

[kodiak]

Here is my DIY overflow on a similar size tank 48x18x18, it has a 1 inch drain pipe and a 1 inch back up drain. 1 inch is perfect for my set up, I dont see why you would need a bigger pipe. The only concern with mine is the size of the overflow, I had to reduce the return pump flow cause it can only handle about 400-500 GPH through the teeth.

 

[heaven425]

thank you for your input much appreciated.
I was hoping for more people's opinions and knowledge, where is everyone?

 

[heaven425]

Kind of nervous about this, it will be my first diy project and I dont want to do something really bad, like a big flood :rain:LOL

 

[Degener8]

Yes my aqua lifter runs all the time. Its just a safety precaution. Better safe than sorry.

 

[ironworker]

my overflow is all pvc and has never failed.

 

[heaven425]

what about the return(back to tank) should I use the same size pipe for that? What do I look for in a return pump?

 

[Degener8]

I would get a simple U return off eBay and a. Return pump like the dannee magdrive 5 and use a ball valve on the return incase you need to adjust it back.