Plumbing Question for Return Line

[BeccaBits]

I’m having a custom tank built. It will be a ~68 gallon (27x27x21.5), and the two holes for the overflow will be 1.5” each with three, 1” drains down to the sump. The return pump is an adjustable DC with a 1” inlet and a 3/4” outlet (rated at 1400gph).

The tank will be a reef tank (mostly LPS), and I will have in-tank powerheads to assist with flow and flow patterns.

Question is... how many holes should I have drilled for the return line(s), and how big should they be? I know there’s no perfect answer, just looking for educated/experienced opinions.

 

[Idoc]

If you want a Herbie design, you'll need 3 holes drilled...two drain lines and one return line. If you want to run a Bean Animal design, then you'll need 4 holes...3 for drain lines and 1 for return line.

 

[Greg P]

Do you have a drawing from the builder you can share?
It would help us all to see what kind of overflow box you will have and where you plan to have the returns.

 

[mfinn]

If it were me, for a 68 gallon tank, I would have 2 holes drilled for the drain, in either back corner, bottom of the tank. ( I'm not a fan of center overflows) I would tell them to drill the holes to fit 1" schedule 80 bulkheads. You would need a 2 sided overflow box made.
Then I would have a single hole drilled for a 1" bulkhead in the opposite back corner of the overflow, as close to the top of the tank as the builder feels it's safe. I would plan on using a 3/4" bushing to 3/4" locline. Or maybe 1" locline which is available.

 

[joec]

1 return 3/4" is fine for that tank, keep it simple IMO