Return line question

[hgren]

Any pros and cons doing single return line vs dual return line using y splitter using single pump for nano tank less than 20 gallon?

It may sound dumb but do you need stronger return pump if you are using dual return line?

Help!

 

[Bryson.bobby]

The pro is more distributed flow. I would personally recommend using a stronger pump, but no, it’s not needed. It’ll be the same amount of flow, just less direct.

 

[Hemmdog]

Any pros and cons doing single return line vs dual return line using y splitter using single pump for nano tank less than 20 gallon?

It may sound dumb but do you need stronger return pump if you are using dual return line?

Help!

The pressure is divided per split you have. So if you have a 500gph return pump each split is getting 250. Which is good if you want a lower flow tank. If you want a stronger stream a single return will do that.

10(turnover) X (tank/gals)=gph pump needed. I like more than 10x turnover but 10 is the standard. But for having stronger turnover I break it up to several splits in the return plumbing. My 90 has 4 returns, my 40 has 2 but redoing it to 4 sometime soon.

 

[hgren]

The pressure is divided per split you have. So if you have a 500gph return pump each split is getting 250. Which is good if you want a lower flow tank. If you want a stronger stream a single return will do that.

10(turnover) X (tank/gals)=gph pump needed. I like more than 10x turnover but 10 is the standard. But for having stronger turnover I break it up to several splits in the return plumbing. My 90 has 4 returns, my 40 has 2 but redoing it to 4 sometime soon.

Ah I see even tho split total return would be same as pump.

10 x 14 gal tank would be 140 gph but stock pump is 326 gph. Its IM Nuvo 14

 

[Hemmdog]

Ah I see even tho split total return would be same as pump.

10 x 14 gal tank would be 140 gph but stock pump is 326 gph. Its IM Nuvo 14

Nice! That’s the same gph my 32 biocube use to have, lol.

 

[hgren]

Ah I see even tho split total return would be same as pump.

10 x 14 gal tank would be 140 gph but stock pump is 326 gph. Its IM Nuvo 14

Is that mean I'm getting too much turnover for my tank?

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Is that mean I'm getting too much turnover for my tank?

Nah. I don’t think there’s a such thing as ‘too much’ as long as it’s not throwing up sand or destroying your soft corals. You’ll know if there’s too much

 

[Reef-junky]

10x is an old stander. 5 to 7x is normal unless you are using the triton method. There use to be debate on high flow vs low flow but low flow seem to be more of the standard. The thought is to give the water more time to react with things in the sump. All you want out of your return pump is flow through your filter not flow for the tank. As far as the return line you only need to agitate the surface of the water so you don’t need two return lines unless you tank is really big. I’ve seen over 100 gallon tanks only use one return line. By the way the hardware store doesn’t stock Y’s only T’s depending on the way you put a T in line you could lose a lot of flow.

 

[scott11106]

i would have 2 just to split the flow as long as you get 5x+ from each, you can always add additional powerheads if needed for movement

 

[hgren]

10x is an old stander. 5 to 7x is normal unless you are using the triton method. There use to be debate on high flow vs low flow but low flow seem to be more of the standard. The thought is to give the water more time to react with things in the sump. All you want out of your return pump is flow through your filter not flow for the tank. As far as the return line you only need to agitate the surface of the water so you don’t need two return lines unless you tank is really big. I’ve seen over 100 gallon tanks only use one return line. By the way the hardware store doesn’t stock Y’s only T’s depending on the way you put a T in line you could lose a lot of flow.

Well my tank is Nuvo 14 and stock pump gives 326 gph already which is more than 10x
I'm trying to get a random generate flow from Vivid Creative Aquatics

 

[hgren]

i would have 2 just to split the flow as long as you get 5x+ from each, you can always add additional powerheads if needed for movement

I want to get a random generate flow for return pump + mp10. Do I have to get a lower gph return pump?

 

[scott11106]

I want to get a random generate flow for return pump + mp10. Do I have to get a lower gph return pump?

no that will be fine

 

[hgren]

no that will be fine

Should I get a splitter for return line or single line is ok for small tank?

 

[Reef-junky]

Should I get a splitter for return line or single line is ok for small tank?

Single is fine

 

[Reef-junky]

Well my tank is Nuvo 14 and stock pump gives 326 gph already which is more than 10x
I'm trying to get a random generate flow from Vivid Creative Aquatics

Did you account for head loss or are you reading what the pump says it’s rated for? I assume there just a hose running from the return pump to the top of the tank.

 

[hgren]

Did you account for head loss? I assume there just a hose running from the return pump to the top of the tank.

What do you mean by head loss?
I just want to get a random flow rather than constant flow on return line

 

[Reef-junky]

What do you mean by head loss?
I just want to get a random flow rather than constant flow on return line

You don’t get the same flow at 1ft as say 5ft. The rating on pump is not the flow you are getting.

 

[Bryson.bobby]

What do you mean by head loss?
I just want to get a random flow rather than constant flow on return line

Head is how high your pump has to push the water. The higher your pump has to push the less gph

 

[Goodair]

Dual return helps with a more dispersed flow, but you will still need powerheads to eliminate dead spots. It also depends on your rockwork. You also get a bit more headloss, but its shouldn't make or break the viability of the same pump.

 

[Reef-junky]

Fittings also effect your pump speed. The more fittings you have the less your GPH will be.