PVC size on aquarium return line

[Spydersweb]

Hello all, really quick question. Is a 1 inch inside diameter PVC return line good for a 90 gallon FOWLR aquarium, or should I increase it to 1 1/4 return line?

 

[Ron Reefman]

On a FOWLR 1" should be fine. Are you only doing the 1" drain, i.e it's the only drain? On a reef tank with sps corals and more flow 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 might be better. Have you considered an emergency drain? Or a herbie drain (they are so easy to make quiet).

 

[Spydersweb]

On a FOWLR 1" should be fine. Are you only doing the 1" drain, i.e it's the only drain? On a reef tank with sps corals and more flow 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 might be better. Have you considered an emergency drain? Or a herbie drain (they are so easy to make quiet).

Yeah, my aquarium has two drain pipes, so I’m going to use those two for a Herbie, then have the return run up the back

 

[Ron Reefman]

My bad, you said return and I was thinking drain. The 1" return should be fine. Even with just gavity a 1" pipe will carry almost 1000gph. With a pump behind it, it can do even more.

 

[Spydersweb]

My bad, you said return and I was thinking drain. The 1" return should be fine. Even with just gavity a 1" pipe will carry almost 1000gph. With a pump behind it, it can do even more.

No problem, I appreciate your input. I was going to use 1 1/4 pipe but it looks a little bulky

 

[Ron Reefman]

I used 1" for both drains and the emergency drain and I did 2 returns that are 3/4" each. That's for the new 90g tank I just built and am getting up and running now.

Good luck with yours.