Plumbing questions.

Fishy fingers · Jan 4, 2015

Hey everyone,

I acquired a new 210 gal as a Christmas present and in the process of setting it up. Questions I have at this point are;

1. I'm doing an over the back return for this build. Return line is a 1" line from a Iwaki MD100RLT at about a 10' of head with a manifold somewhere in the middle. My plan is to bring the pipe up the center, then tee both ways with 2 returns on each side. Giving me 2 returns centrally and 1 on either end. What's the best way to keep similar pressure in all returns?

2. I would love to see pics of manifolds some of you have come up with. 8

beadlocked450r · Jan 4, 2015

First try to keep the pipes an equal distance. But valves will be the way to keep even flow.

AZDesertRat · Jan 4, 2015

Install a ball valve on each return so you can fine tune them individually.
Splitting a 1" return into 4 outlets will not give you much velocity per nozzle though, especially with 10 feet of head on your return pump. By increasing the return to 1.25" or 1.5" for the main run then splitting to 1" at he last possible point you will gain flow since it will have less headloss due to friction velocity in the 1". Most pump manufacturers recommend stepping up a size or two on the discharge side of the pump for that reason.

Fin · Jan 4, 2015

Gate valves work best for adjustng flow. Have you considered an OceansMotions 4 Way valve? That will give you alternating flow as well. You can have the flow return from one or two returns at the same time. They are kind of old school nowadays, but they are still available and they are one of the most dependable pieces of equipment I have ever purchased for my tank.

From my initial set up of my 140 (7 years ago). I use mine on a closed loop and two of the returns are on the very bottom of the tank. You wouldn't want to return to the bottom if you used it on a return. The 4 Way is still going strong. The pump is a ReeFlo Dart.

This was not the final configuration on the bottom side, but you can see how I ran the upper returns.

Products ? OceansMotions

Their Omni-Flex return nozzles are also pretty sweet. Very easy to adjust the direction of yur returns.

AZDesertRat · Jan 4, 2015

I use an Oceans Motions Squirt Two Way and they are great devices. Gate valves are more sensitive but the benefit really isn't there at the low flows we are talking about in an aquarium plus once you get the valve adjusted, ball or gate, it doesn't need to be touched again in most cases. You can fine tune a ball valve just as well as a gate which really is not intended to throttle since it damages the gate and seat over time. Globe or needle valves are intended for throttling flow but not as available as the others.

redfishbluefish · Jan 4, 2015

I tee'd my return as well with no valves. I don't believe valves are necessary. I have the tee right in the middle of the tank, with two loc-lines on either side, equidistant. Also note the the two closest to the tee are 3/4 loc-lines while the ends are 1 inch loc-line. This was done not by design, but by what I had lying around.

Fin · Jan 4, 2015

AZDesertRat said:
I use an Oceans Motions Squirt Two Way and they are great devices. Gate valves are more sensitive but the benefit really isn't there at the low flows we are talking about in an aquarium plus once you get the valve adjusted, ball or gate, it doesn't need to be touched again in most cases. You can fine tune a ball valve just as well as a gate which really is not intended to throttle since it damages the gate and seat over time. Globe or needle valves are intended for throttling flow but not as available as the others.

Sorry Rat, my post was not meant to disagree with what you said. We were posting at about the same time and I didn't see your post until I had finished mine. I personally just prefer to use gate valves though.

Fishy fingers · Jan 4, 2015

The pump should still push 1800+ gph at that head, so I don't think a lack of flow will be an issue. Just looking for an even spread across the returns without a bunch of clutter on the pipe. It's an open top tank.

AZDesertRat · Jan 5, 2015

Heck no, disagree all you want, thats what these forums are all about to get as many opinions and ideas as possible! There is no right or wrong answer and many ways to accomplish the same thing.

Fishy, you will never get 1800+ GPH out of that pump with a 1" discharge line, the velocity in the pipe would be like a jet engine and friction loss thru the roof. Increase the line size to 1.5" and reduce it at the Loc Lines or whatever you use if you want anywhere near that flow rate. You are talking 30 gallons per minute and the average wide open 3/4" garden hose at 60 psi only delivers around 12-13 GPM.