One 1" Durso in a 120???

Crimsonvice

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Would one 1" Durso be sufficient for a 120??? I really dont want to drill it only because I want to have the tank flush against the wall.
 
A tank needs about 2x to 4x of return flow.

120 gallons x 2 = 240 GPH
120 gallons x 4 = 480 GPH

One drain will handle that just fine. :)

Past 4x it might start getting bubbly and noisy, so consider 4x a ceiling. Nothing wrong with 2x. Anything in that range is good.

:)
 
I was thinking that it would be fine, but some showed some concern that it wouldn't handle a decent enough flow rate. I also understand the need for redundancy, and with a single durso you do not get that, but using a strainer, I wouldn't think that I need to be that concerned with it. But there is potential...

Thanks @mcarroll
 
BTW, you don't really even need a durso setup for these flow rates....it's fine if one's already installed, but an open standpipe usually works fine.

But there is potential...

That's just life. If you were someone to take that branch of thought seriously, I'd have to recommend another hobby. There are so many things that "can happen". But keep using common sense (e.g. screened drain) and you'll be fine. :)

The likelihood of blockage is already very low since there usually isn't more than a milimeter or two of water going over the edge....the size of debris that will go over is very limited. Something would have to crawl or float over the rim of the plumbing to have a chance at blocking anything and there's usually a weir system that takes care of that.

We don't have much floating stuff anyway (not that could block a drain), so if you limit the critters that could crawl up there to ones that are too small to block your drain, then you're set even if they get past the weir. If you go even further and add a screen, then there's pretty much zero chance of anything happening.

In fact, the only problems I've known to be associated with plain gravity drains is noise and bubble generation. Those problems are almost always from too much flow. I'm sure there's been a blockage problem somewhere in the history of gravity drains, but I haven't run into one. ;) :)
 
I have actually been considering that, and just running the return line up and over.

That's going to be your best bet. If you need a gate valve I have a brand new 1" for $10. I might have a used one as well. I would not waste your time on any other drain beside the herbie
 
I have actually been considering that, and just running the return line up and over.

Definitely nothing wrong with that setup, but it's not really necessary for the drain's sake.

All the fancy drain setups (maggies, herbies, beans, etc, etc, etc) were products of the high-flow sump days....pretty much before the Age of Powerheads. Back then your return pump was often responsible for most or all of the flow in the tank, so (duh) flow rates through the drains on these tanks were literally as high as they could be made to go. Every hole in the tank was converted to a drain because it had to be. It also made sense to add some additional redundancy once you had those huge GPH numbers and your drains running at 100% capacity – that's what drove the development of the herbie and bean styles.

In 2017 where powerheads are the norm, there's not much need for more than a plain gravity drain on your return. A single 1" will do a 120 gallon tank just fine and will only run at around 50% capacity. Quiet and reliable!! :)
 
Does it work Yes... Do you want to take the risk? honestly you say oh nothing that big will get stuck in the drain pipe etc, I you check with a lot of people they would not chance it on the fact that if a snail gets stuck it can and will flood your floors. For piece of mind I would do the over the top with the 2 drain pipes . you will sleep better at night. I flooded my first floor years ago cause I only have 1 drain so I can talk from experience.
 
Plug the bottom holes and drill a phantom overflow setup in the back. Or drill the bottom for another corner overflow and just have a custom weir made for it.
 

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