Return Placement

[skyeshoppe]

I am trying to decide how I should place the return on my 120 gallon 5 ft tank. I want to place my external overflow off to one side instead of the center so that I have better access to it. I plan to use loc line inside the aquarium for the returns. The plan is to put a y on the return to have two pipes directing the flow. I was thinking of adding two returns but am wondering if maybe I should just add one directing the flow in one direction. Below are the options I was considering. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[blaxsun]

If this were me I'd place the overflow in the center and a pair of returns on either side.

 

[skyeshoppe]

If this were me I'd place the overflow in the center and a pair of returns on either side.

That would be ideal but the tank back is going to be up against a wall. There will be a few inches in between but still accessing the overflow in the center of a 5 ft tank would be a challenge. That is why I want to have the overflow off to one side.

 

[blaxsun]

That would be ideal but the tank back is going to be up against a wall. There will be a few inches in between but still accessing the overflow in the center of a 5 ft tank would be a challenge. That is why I want to have the overflow off to one side.

Are there any walls along the sides of the tank or just at the back?

 

[skyeshoppe]

Are there any walls along the sides of the tank or just at the back?

Just the back

 

[blaxsun]

Just the back

You could always set it up peninsula style with the overflow and returns on one side and make a feature out of it with matching plumbing, etc.

 

[BZOFIQ]

If this were me I'd place the overflow in the center and a pair of returns on either side.

I faced the same issue on my 7ft build, if you place an overflow in the middle there is no way you'll be able to reach it to tighten or adjust anything.

I too was forced to place overflow boxes on the ends - still not easy to reach anything.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Option B is better,

I've seen in on some tanks where if you use option A, the return closer to the overflow will push the surface film away from the overflow box and prevent proper skimming of the water surface.

 

[skyeshoppe]

You could always set it up peninsula style with the overflow and returns on one side and make a feature out of it with matching plumbing, etc.

I love the peninsula style but unfortunately I don't know if it would be appropriate for this location. It would expose the plumbing and remove a viewing side while still leaving the back as a non-viewing side.

 

[skyeshoppe]

Option B is better,

I've seen in on some tanks where if you use option A, the return closer to the overflow will push the surface film away from the overflow box and prevent proper skimming of the water surface.

I hadn't thought about the surface skimming. That is a very good point.

 

[RocketEngineer]

i did something like B on my 125G. Never really noticed any surface film.

 

[polyppal]

You don’t want to aim a return away from your overflow, it’s gonna likely lead to pooling of waste between the returns that doesn’t make it easily to the overflow.

If you can’t center mount your overflow then option B - sometimes the old ways are best

 

[skyeshoppe]

I liked the idea of having two returns for redundancy but it looks like option B is what I need to go with.

 

[Dburr1014]

If you want 2 returns, what about option a but the other return in the middle of the tank. The left shooting more to the middle and the centered one shooting toward the return.

 

[skyeshoppe]

If you want 2 returns, what about option a but the other return in the middle of the tank. The left shooting more to the middle and the centered one shooting toward the return.

I want to avoid having anything in the middle of the tank that I can't tighten or adjust. I probably will go with one return on the opposite side of the overflow.

I could possible do two returns both on the same side. The only reason for this would be to add a second pump in the future for redundancy.

 

[RocketEngineer]

Here is how I did two two outlets. They went over my weir on one end of the tank, pointed towards the middle.

 

[Uriken]

I would say this placement also depends on what wave makers you are using and how many?

 

[skyeshoppe]

I would say this placement also depends on what wave makers you are using and how many?

I am going to be using 2 Neptune WAVs.