Please forgive my ignorance! Schedule 80 VS ABS bulkheads

[Jimmypop]

I have been researching what I need for my tank. If I go with Sch 80, my sizes will be 2x3/4inch drain, and 2x1/2inch return. If I go ABS, I will have 1inch drain, and 3/4inch return. I don't know if the size differences will be bad to the tank, but what do you think? Going on 230G display with 100G sump. It seems like the smaller sizes will restrict the flow. Please let me know what you think.

 

[ge4rhead]

I have been researching what I need for my tank. If I go with Sch 80, my sizes will be 2x3/4inch drain, and 2x1/2inch return. If I go ABS, I will have 1inch drain, and 3/4inch return. I don't know if the size differences will be bad to the tank, but what do you think? Going on 230G display with 100G sump. It seems like the smaller sizes will restrict the flow. Please let me know what you think.

i guess I’m curious to why you would use sch 80 pipe. Sch 40 is plenty strong enough. Plus sch 40 comes in some nice colors. I ended up using sch40 pipe and sch 80 fittings just because they look a lot better than white. Kind of depends on how much money you want wrapped up in plumbing.

 

[ge4rhead]

210 gallon display, Synergy reef cl-60 stormcloud sump

 

[Reefacist]

I have been researching what I need for my tank. If I go with Sch 80, my sizes will be 2x3/4inch drain, and 2x1/2inch return. If I go ABS, I will have 1inch drain, and 3/4inch return. I don't know if the size differences will be bad to the tank, but what do you think? Going on 230G display with 100G sump. It seems like the smaller sizes will restrict the flow. Please let me know what you think.

No brainer. You need 1in drain at the verrrrry minimum. ABS with schedule 40 1” drains and 3/4 returns.

 

[flampton]

Woah! You'll need a lot more than a single one inch drain on a 230. You need multiple drains preferably larger than an inch. For returns I would go with at least an inch times two

 

[ge4rhead]

I think he was just sayin if he uses abs he would have a 1 inch drain but he has two of them. My opinion I wouldn’t even like having 2, 1 inch drains on a 230. I’ve got a 210 with 4, 1 inch bulkheads. 2 were suppose to be drains and 2 were suppose to be returns. I turned all 4 bulkheads into drains and ran 2 returns over the back. 2 have the aqueon mega flow kit and two are full siphon. ball Valves on all four drains but wide open. Flows very quiet. in his case I guess it all depends on how much he wants his tank turned over per hour. there is just no safety with only 2 drains or not enough flow in my opinion. People set them up all the time like that and it works just fine but not my style lol.

 

[Jimmypop]

Correct. I have 2x1inch and 2x .75inch on my 2 overflows. I was wondering if the 2 1inch were sufficient for drain. I like the setup that ge4rhead has though. Thanks for the info.

 

[ge4rhead]

It would work. what Pump are you going to use for a return? Or pumps?

 

[Jimmypop]

I am not sure what size pumps I will use. Do you have a suggestion? I know DC pumps are expensive, so I was leaning to AC pumps.

 

[Saltyreef]

I'd stick with schedule 40 pvc pipe as said above.
Any size you want......unless you want it all black....then i guess do abs....

 

[Reefacist]

I am not sure what size pumps I will use. Do you have a suggestion? I know DC pumps are expensive, so I was leaning to AC pumps.

Depends. They pretty decent priced dc pumps like the sicce. Good thing about dc is you can control their output and they are a lot quieter. So as long as you don’t mind the noise and put a ball valve in front of the AC pump then you can do an AC. IMO just pay for a DC. Bulkheads=ABS, pipes=sch 40, pump=dc