Help me with return plumbing

drawman · Jan 1, 2017

So I've had this project on my to do list for some time I want to hard plumb a new AC return pump using PVC for my 60 gallon. I had previously purchased a Sicce 3.5 but I think I'm going to sell it and go for a Sicce Syncra 2.0 instead. This plumbing will be over the back as I want to transition to a herbie and I only have two holes drilled in the overflow.

It looks like the outlet for the 2.0 (which I haven't purchased yet) is either a 1" barb or a 3/4" female threaded (only thing I can find is it says gas fitting so not sure if it's PVC or what).

So would there be any advantage/disadvantage to using 1" or 3/4" PVC? Only thing I can think of is less resistance with the 1" PVC. Also the loc-line I have at the top of the tank is 3/4" so I'm not sure resistance will matter much. Ideally it would be nice to use the 3/4" female to directly plumb it to PVC using a PVC male 3/4" threaded by 1" or 3/4" slip fitting. This may be a little bit noisier than using the supplied barb...thoughts?

Ocelaris · Jan 1, 2017

I have the sicce pro 1000 (sorry, not exact) but I have that with 1" tubing, but then the return transitions to 3/4" for the return. I have the same setup, only 2 drilled holes and ran the return up the back, and just attached it to the stand and with stickies and cable ties. I think 1" is probably over kill, but can't hurt. I would keep the more powerful pump, can always make a manifold and run a carbon /gfo reactor off it or put a gate valve on to slow the flow, but I don't think it's required. Slowing the output of an ac pump doesn't hurt it, and just lowers power usage, so don't worry about dialing it back. I also put a check valve on the return because I have the output below the water level, and when I do water changes and turn off the pump it would siphon a lot of water backwards.

Brs has the specs, looks like either 3/4 or 1"

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sicce-syncra-silent-3-5-pump-660-gph.html

drawman · Jan 2, 2017

Well nice thing is I have the pvc support clamps so I will have things nice and secured. I actually got almost all of the fittings today and will pick up the remaining parts tomorrow. I have a Sicce 2.0 on order as well so we will see how it goes.

I don't think I will ever go the manifold route just because I want to keep things fairly simple on this tank but that has crossed my mind in the past.

Ocelaris · Jan 2, 2017

I made my own manifold, and didn't rally account for the length all the fittings take, I could take it or leave it.

Only things to consider with the pump is over time flow decreases with gunk. I got the 1000 gph model, but after the elbows (I believe each 90 equals like 6" or head?), manifold, and 4 foot rise it's really like 400 gph. I underestimated the resistance and regret now not getting a bigger pump. My next one will be a DC pump, probably the varios 6.