Plumbing tank and sump

[AZDesertRat]

Increasing to 3/4" plumbing will give you a slight improvement in flow due to reduced friction or headloss but the 1/2" bulkhead will still be a bottleneck so not as efficient as all 3/4". It is normal to have your return plumbing one size smaller than your overflow since the overflow is gravity and the return is under pressure. You always want your overflow to be able to handle more flow than the return so you don't cause a flood.

 

[Defect]

Alrighty, Thank you.

 

[Mike J.]

I know one thing I wouldn't challenge AZDesertRat about anything; he's one of the smartest people on this forum. At least I'd think more than twice about it and make sure all my ducks were in a row.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Not really all that smart, just been doing it a long long time in both my profession and my hobby.

 

[Whys Alives]

Not really all that smart...

in·tel·li·gence
noun

the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.
"an eminent man of great intelligence"

But more importantly, he's helpful.

 

[Ginu]

Hehe sometimes simple is better, I agree.

I didn't like the method of sticking a tube down the drain to minimize sound due to the cover on my tank and I didn't like anything sticking out of the tank, but that's a matter of setup I suppose.

Herbies do take a little more space, however I'm hoping my next tank will have a Reef Savy Ghost overflow and that will safe a ton of space in the display.

 

[SloppyJ]

If they ever release them! I've been waiting on one for a while and since they have no idea when they're coming out, I'm doing a herbie on my new tank. I lose some interior space but I don't have any external plumbing and I appreciate a clean look.

 

[dib]

Jumping in to save. Im going to build a sump soon

 

[petemichelle]

what size return pumps are you going to be using? what size is your tank? I am in the middle of a 150 gal build right now. I have tap water in the tank to check for leaks and function. the tank has 2 durso overflows on the back (not corners). I called aqueon and they say the overflows are rated at 600 gph. I have 2 mag 9's for the return and it is just noisy. I have tried putting the rigid tubing down the duress's, I have tried making stockman returns and they are just as loud. the noise is driving me nuts. The only thing I can think of doing is going with smaller pumps. The mags are rated at 680 gph at 5 feet, which is the height of the return line outlet in the display tank. One of the returns run through a UV sterilizer, and I can physically feel the difference between that line and the one that is going straight into the tank, so it's got to be at least a third less. anyway, the question is how much flow do you usually shoot for on the return pumps? I plan on using 3 vortex mp40's for the powerheads, so overall total flow is not really my concern. everybody keeps giving me the same formula of 10 times the capacity of the display, for total flow. Which doesn't help with my question of "what is the minimal and what is the average return pump size one should get for a 150 gal display???? can I cut it to 600 or 700 total? would that hurt or diminish the overall system in anyway if I make up for the overall flow with my power head????

thanks for any light you can shed on this...