Plumbing question

[stevediaz1]

question for anybody that could help me I have 120 gallon build and my drain pipe size is 1.5 inches and my return pipe is 1 inch but the bulk head at the weir where the loc-line is 1/2 inch size is that ok…..or should I get a 1 inch bulkhead and 1 inch loc-line
(Is there any 1 inch loc-line?) where does loc-line size stop any body knows?

 

[Projects with Sam]

I've seen big loc-line at BRS. how wide is the hole in the glass? you really don't want the return any bigger then 1/2 the drain though I'm not 100% sure why that's advice. The only issue with the small return is you'll loose head-pressure on your return pump to speed up the water to pass through the small opening. If your return pump is big and you don't mind making it work don't sweat it. a few 90degree elbows and you're at the same place.

 

[stevediaz1]

I've seen big loc-line at BRS. how wide is the hole in the glass? you really don't want the return any bigger then 1/2 the drain though I'm not 100% sure why that's advice. The only issue with the small return is you'll loose head-pressure on your return pump to speed up the water to pass through the small opening. If your return pump is big and you don't mind making it work don't sweat it. a few 90degree elbows and you're at the same place.

 

[stevediaz1]

my return is 1 inch up to the point where weir is i have tank with a weir inside and it only has 2 drilled holes at the bottom of the tank one is a drain and the other is a return my idea is to make a modification so I can have some protection against any clogged pipes what I plan to do is use those two drilled holes as drains one as a full siphon and the other as a emergency drain just in case and for the return im thinking of plumbing it on the outside and just put a couple of elbows for the existing return lines what do you think?

 

[stevediaz1]

But to answer your question the hole size is small it has 2 bulkheads one on each side of the weir and the elbow that is connected to the bulkhead is a 1/2 inch fitting

 

[Projects with Sam]

That is the way to go in my opinion. So, a Herbie drain using the two in-tank 1" drains (behind a weir) to the sump. Then a return of your choosing - could go all the way to 1" but I think you'll be pressed to find an appropriately sized return pump with larger then a 3/4" output.

 

[stevediaz1]

That is the way to go in my opinion. So, a Herbie drain using the two in-tank 1" drains (behind a weir) to the sump. Then a return of your choosing - could go all the way to 1" but I think you'll be pressed to find an appropriately sized return pump with larger then a 3/4" output.

I’m leaning towards vectra L2

 

[mfinn]

Jumbo 1in Modular Hose | Vivid Creative Aquatics

vividcreativeaquatics.com

 

[nereefpat]

my return is 1 inch up to the point where weir is i have tank with a weir inside and it only has 2 drilled holes at the bottom of the tank one is a drain and the other is a return my idea is to make a modification so I can have some protection against any clogged pipes what I plan to do is use those two drilled holes as drains one as a full siphon and the other as a emergency drain just in case and for the return im thinking of plumbing it on the outside and just put a couple of elbows for the existing return lines what do you think?

Excellent plan.

BTW, you don't have to use loc-line, and it does reduce flow quite a bit.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

my return is 1 inch up to the point where weir is i have tank with a weir inside and it only has 2 drilled holes at the bottom of the tank one is a drain and the other is a return my idea is to make a modification so I can have some protection against any clogged pipes what I plan to do is use those two drilled holes as drains one as a full siphon and the other as a emergency drain just in case and for the return im thinking of plumbing it on the outside and just put a couple of elbows for the existing return lines what do you think?

That would work. It would also solve the issue you have with the small bulkheads

Another option you may consider, if you're OK with drilling a couple of holes, is you can actually use the existing three holes on the bottom glass as a closed loop. The larger whole would be the drain and the two smaller one are the loop returns. Of course the se means you woul need to remove the existing overflow box as well

Then drill new holes on the back glass for the Drain and the returns. Then you can pick what size you want them to be.

It's a lot of work, but well worth it if you have the time. In fact we did that for our 134 gallon build. You can see the pics from this process at this link:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/134-gallon-cube-build-random-flow-generator®-powered-mixed-reef-lots-of-pics.846184/post-9177972

 

[Projects with Sam]

That would work. It would also solve the issue you have with the small bulkheads

Another option you may consider, if you're OK with drilling a couple of holes, is you can actually use the existing three holes on the bottom glass as a closed loop. The larger whole would be the drain and the two smaller one are the loop returns. Of course the se means you woul need to remove the existing overflow box as well

Then drill new holes on the back glass for the Drain and the returns. Then you can pick what size you want them to be.

It's a lot of work, but well worth it if you have the time. In fact we did that for our 134 gallon build. You can see the pics from this process at this link:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/134-gallon-cube-build-random-flow-generator®-powered-mixed-reef-lots-of-pics.846184/post-9177972

How far off the wall is the tank with that extremally large return setup. It sticks up above the tank rim so why bother drilling holes when you can just run the pipe that way

 

[stevediaz1]

How far off the wall is the tank with that extremally large return setup. It sticks up above the tank rim so why bother drilling holes when you can just run the pipe that way

 

[stevediaz1]

 

[Projects with Sam]

So you would go up and over then reconnect to the existing 1/2" returns? I think that would work just fine. I don't think you need to replace the loc-line.
I'm jealous of your stack of new equipment!

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

How far off the wall is the tank with that extremally large return setup. It sticks up above the tank rim so why bother drilling holes when you can just run the pipe that way

In our case the tank sits in our front lobby, so distance from a wall wasnt a big deal - but if it did sit against a wall, it would need about 8in. The return is plumbed with 1.25in PVC on the up pie and then split into 2 1in on either side.

it rises above the tank since it has a revers Check Valve setup to eliminate back siphon while not relying on a check valve to close, but rather for it to open when power gets cut.

I agree - it's a pretty big contraption - LOL
But it works for what we needed and from the front, can;t even see it.

I think for OP given that he has a hood, i think going over the top would be super easy. I just like the idea of using the existing holes as a closed loop

 

[Projects with Sam]

agreed! I felt like I had a 'real' tank once I got rid of the HOB overflow and all the over the top stuff.

 

[stevediaz1]

So you would go up and over then reconnect to the existing 1/2" returns? I think that would work just fine. I don't think you need to replace the loc-line.
I'm jealous of your stack of new equipment!

Yes I’m thinking about it and regarding the loc line brs sells 3/4 inch loc-line I’m thinking 3/4 sounds like better flow

 

[Projects with Sam]

If you go from 1" to 2 1/2" its all good. You will get pretty much the same amount of flow as before; it'll just be faster. You only loose a tiny bit of flow going to a smaller diameter pipe; the flow just speeds up. If you go from 1" return to two 1/2" returns you should be fine. Spend that cash on livestock.