Need ideas how to setup the drain and return lines

[Pain]

Hello Team,

I'm new in the reef community, i have bought a new tank it was for freshwater an am going to convert it to a saltwater tank. I have all the requirements for the saltwater tank.

I know the basics how to setup the lines. but i like to get more great ideas to setup the lines, as am going to build a ghost overflow box for that with this dimensions.

My tank size are:
L: 150 cm
W: 45
H: 50 cm

Glass holes will be : 1.5 inch
and all pipe fittings will be 1.5 inch's

Front Overflow Box:
L: 50 cm
W: 5 cm
H: 15 cm

Rear Box:
L: 50 cm
W: 12 cm
H: 18 cm

and your help well be much appreciated.

 

[CodyRVA]

I guess my first question is, is the tank already drilled? If not, have you checked for tempered glass? If it can be drilled, what size is the tank, 80G? This will determine the size and possibly type of setup you should consider.

 

[TylerS]

You shouldn't decide pipe fitting and hole sizes until you know what pump and flow you want.

Step 1: pick target flow rate
Step 2: estimate head loss for the flow rate - if you have no idea what to do take the height from the top of the sump to the top of the aquarium, and add 20% or so for other losses.
Step 3: determine pump which can provide the flow you want with the head pressure you estimate.
Step 4: use fittings at least as big as the pump output, preferebly 1 size up

 

[CodyRVA]

You shouldn't decide pipe fitting and hole sizes until you know what pump and flow you want.

Step 1: pick target flow rate
Step 2: estimate head loss for the flow rate - if you have no idea what to do take the height from the top of the sump to the top of the aquarium, and add 20% or so for other losses.
Step 3: determine pump which can provide the flow you want with the head pressure you estimate.
Step 4: use fittings at least as big as the pump output, preferebly 1 size up

All relative to tank size, IMO.

 

[Pain]

I guess my first question is, is the tank already drilled? If not, have you checked for tempered glass? If it can be drilled, what size is the tank, 80G? This will determine the size and possibly type of setup you should consider.

I have checked with the manufacturer in they informed me it's not tampered glass so it's safe to drill it.
and for the tank size it's 125 Gallon.

You shouldn't decide pipe fitting and hole sizes until you know what pump and flow you want.

Step 1: pick target flow rate
Step 2: estimate head loss for the flow rate - if you have no idea what to do take the height from the top of the sump to the top of the aquarium, and add 20% or so for other losses.
Step 3: determine pump which can provide the flow you want with the head pressure you estimate.
Step 4: use fittings at least as big as the pump output, preferebly 1 size up

And regarding your questions dear tyler,
the target flow rate is : 2500 G/H
for the second question the height between the top of the sump the the tank is : 35.5 inch
for the pump the one i have now it's for : 4000 G/H
for the pipe fitting i want to use 1.5 inch.

 

[TylerS]

What pump do you have? Pumps are usually labeled for flow rate with 0 head (meaning they are pumping with no resistance) and that is never the actual flow rate you will see.

For example: The ecotech m1 shown below is nearly 2000 G/H with 0 head, but at 5 feet of head (which may be typical in many cases) it is only around 1500 G/H.

From your description a 4000G/H pump on a 125 gallon is a lot of turnover so you don't have to worry about having to little flow at all. Are you sure it's not liters per hour (I'm just asking because you provided the original tank dimension in metric). If it's really 4000 gallons per hour you might have a lot of noise from the water running into the sump with that high of a turnover rate. I even wonder if 4000 G/H will drain through 1.5" PVC.

Have you considered a slightly smaller pump that would use less energy, and then if you find you need more turnover in your tank just using powerheads?

 

[Pain]

This one i have,

Jecod DCT15000

Features

• High performance motor with innovation electronics, and energy savings up to 50% than previous models
• Memory function for power supply off to recall memory
• 10 speed controller for T Series
• IC electronic detection, automatic power-off protection upon no water
• Motor protection if rotor is blocked
• Super quiet operation
• Can operate in marine and fresh water
• No copper components
• Wear-resistant ceramic shaft for longer operation life
• 10 minutes feed mode
• Submersed use only!
• 1 year warranty

Specs

• Model - DCT 15000
• Size - 18.2cm x 10.4cm x 12.8cm - 9" L x 4.7" W x 8.7" H
• Flow - 4750 - 15000 l/h (up to 3900 gph)
• Max Height - 5m - 16.9ft
• Hose Connector - 1.5" NPT and includes 2 - 1", 1.25", 1.5" barbed fittings
• Wattage - DC24V 105W