Return Pipe Fine or Fail?

[HardCory]

I won't go into the details on why but I was wondering if my thought process is correct?
The water will leave through the first loc line, continue to the second, and what's left will be stopped by the end cap, filling up the entire pipe and creating two equal returns.
Yes? No?

 

[RamsReef]

Yes, but there will be air trapped at the end of your pipe.

Also depending on what nozzle / reatriction you put on there, water will more easily come out the first one.... there will be more flow.

 

[ReeferBob]

Yeah it'll work but you'll probably get somewhat uneven flow out of the 2 outlets. IMO not enough to worry about or add a valve. I have a very similar setup on mine accept with 4 outlets and one inlet. I suggest you cut in another loc-line to the center (maybe even 2).

 

[HardCory]

Yes, but there will be air trapped at the end of your pipe.

Also depending on what nozzle / reatriction you put on there, water will more easily come out the first one.... there will be more flow.

Wouldn't the initial start up of the pump "prime" the return pipe? Forcing out the air, even at the end?

I'm using 3/4" PVC and loc line; each outlet is split into two "fan" nozzles.

 

[RamsReef]

Wouldn't the initial start up of the pump "prime" the return pipe? Forcing out the air, even at the end?

I'm using 3/4" PVC and loc line; each outlet is split into two "fan" nozzles.

No, where would it force it to?

It will probably get trapped, just like plumbing a water hammer preventer...
A bonus feature haha.

 

[HardCory]

No, where would it force it to?

It will probably get trapped, just like plumbing a water hammer preventer...
A bonus feature haha.

Being that I have no clue what that is...is that a good thing? Haha

What I was thinking was that unless the pressure comes on at full tilt and fills the pipe completely, shouldn't the air be forced back through the second outlet?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Why not just tee off at the back of the tank and run over to each side where your coming over the tank right now? Wouldn't need the length of pipe inside the tank.

 

[HardCory]

Why not just tee off at the back of the tank and run over to each side where your coming over the tank right now? Wouldn't need the length of pipe inside the tank.

Honestly, hindsight is 20/20. If I would've thought this through, I probably would've done it that way. But here I am, asking if I need to redo it!

 

[cilyjr]

If the outlets are completely submerged it will probably trap some air. If they're slightly above or only partially submerged there might be some exchange.

If it fills with water, it might stagnate.

Like other posters suggested, the 1st outlet will get most of the flow. I would guess between 60% and 80%. But that depends on the pump. The stronger the pump the more evenly it will distribute the flow.

 

[HardCory]

If the outlets are completely submerged it will probably trap some air. If they're slightly above or only partially submerged there might be some exchange.

If it fills with water, it might stagnate.

Like other posters suggested, the 1st outlet will get most of the flow. I would guess between 60% and 80%. But that depends on the pump. The stronger the pump the more evenly it will distribute the flow.

Makes sense. So it doesn't sound like this is a lost cause, just something that can be better...?

 

[cilyjr]

My opinion....
1 return hole as away from the overflows as possible (in your case thecenter). 2 or more holes never work out the way you want them. Never depend on return for flow. Modern prop driven water movers work much more efficiently. Return pump should be solely for sump turnover rate.

It will take about 5 minutes to replumb that dry. 2 weeks if the tank is full and you decide you don't like it.

Again my opinion. I tried similar stuff many years ago and always end up with a single outlet

 

[HardCory]

My opinion....
1 return hole as away from the overflows as possible (in your case thecenter). 2 or more holes never work out the way you want them. Never depend on return for flow. Modern prop driven water movers work much more efficiently. Return pump should be solely for sump turnover rate.

It will take about 5 minutes to replumb that dry. 2 weeks if the tank is full and you decide you don't like it.

Again my opinion. I tried similar stuff many years ago and always end up with a single outlet

I definitely agree with not relying on the return for flow. I have two Tunze 6105's ready to go haha.

*sigh* looks like I may be redoing this S.O.B.

 

[HOOPDEEZ]

The air trapped at the end will probably come out with little bursts of bubbles over time, which might be annoying. Putting the tee in the back would use less pipe and have better flow. You could use the blue pvc you have and cut off the fittings with plenty to spare. Just would cost a couple bucks, seems worth it. Dry fit it all and post a pic!

 

[HardCory]

The air trapped at the end will probably come out with little bursts of bubbles over time, which might be annoying. Putting the tee in the back would use less pipe and have better flow. You could use the blue pvc you have and cut off the fittings with plenty to spare. Just would cost a couple bucks, seems worth it. Dry fit it all and post a pic!

As always I just gotta find some time!
But thanks! I appreciate the up beat comments! Lol

 

[cilyjr]

Do what you like, don't take my word on this but....I'm betting you posted this because you weren't happy with it to begin with.

 

[HardCory]

Do what you like, don't take my word on this but....I'm betting you posted this because you weren't happy with it to begin with.

Honestly, I'm actually happy with it! Lol. I was pretty proud that it came out how I planned. But, of course, I post pictures to a FB group and they started poking holes in the design. Pretty much what the other guys said.
It's not that I need to be right, I just want to know I'm not going to have issues. I'm happy with the design, just nervous that my design is only good on paper/in my head.

 

[cilyjr]

Well it will work but...
If water stagnates in that end it may begin to produce hydrogen sulphide. That will give that rotten egg smell.

 

[HardCory]

Well it will work but...
If water stagnates in that end it may begin to produce hydrogen sulphide. That will give that rotten egg smell.

Ouch...yeah. I should probably try to avoid that haha

 

[ReeferBob]

I definitely agree with not relying on the return for flow. I have two Tunze 6105's ready to go haha.

*sigh* looks like I may be redoing this S.O.B.

I actually disagree with this. Why not use your return water for tank flow? I am not sure how or where this started but it is a common theme amongst marine sites. The return water is there, why not use it? This is the exact reason I went with 4 loc-line returns distributed along the top of the tank. I also have a propeller style pump in the tank but the return water is evenly distributed in the tank and certainly does aid in tank circulation. Just make sure your returns are not too low in the water as they will create a reverse siphon when your pump is turned off. Mine are just under the surface.

 

[HardCory]

I actually disagree with this. Why not use your return water for tank flow? I am not sure how or where this started but it is a common theme amongst marine sites. The return water is there, why not use it? This is the exact reason I went with 4 loc-line returns distributed along the top of the tank. I also have a propeller style pump in the tank but the return water is evenly distributed in the tank and certainly does aid in tank circulation. Just make sure your returns are not too low in the water as they will create a reverse siphon when your pump is turned off. Mine are just under the surface.

I like the raised idea!
I'm all for utilization, I'm just not going to rely on it for the majority of flow