Return plumbing size

fishstix · Mar 19, 2018

MSOEME2009 said:
Based on the chart you gave. You can already go to the 5' mark based on what you said earlier; ~1500 GPH. At 1" line, that's 32.9' per 100'. I'll assume you have 4 90s, a valve, a check, and 10' of pipe; 20+10+10 = 40' or 0.4 * 32.9' = 13.2'

Add 13.2' + 5' = 18.2' and you are at 200 GPH to your tank.

Not trying to be negative, but I don't think you'll be happy with that.

No need to think you are being negative, just trying to figure out best options for what I have going on, with limited options.

So sounds like best option then would be to increase the plumbing after it comes out of the sump to 1 1/4 to help improve things, yes that about right what your assume for the plumbing.

Thanks

fishstix · Mar 19, 2018

MSOEME2009 said:
Simply going to 1-1/4 is going to give you 8.8' of total loss or almost 1000 GPH of flow (not counting your 1" bottle necks).

I missed this post

So yes sounds like my only option then is to go with the 1-1/4

DCR · Mar 19, 2018

You are not likely to get more than 500-600 GPH on each return unless you increase bulkhead sizes. The loclines are really going to restrict the flow even more. The gains in going larger pipe are going to be minimal.

fishstix · Mar 19, 2018

DCR said:
You are not likely to get more than 500-600 GPH on each return unless you increase bulkhead sizes. The loclines are really going to restrict the flow even more. The gains in going larger pipe are going to be minimal.

What other options do I have to remove the loc-lines? What else would I put into the bulkhead for the flow? On a side note, wonder why they don't make 1" locline

mfinn · Mar 19, 2018

If you are determined to run 1-1/4 pipe part way, run it to a horizontal manifold with both pumps and then run the risers using 1" going into the tank with the 3/4" reducer bushings inside.
But I doubt you will actually gain that much.
You don't need much more than a 1000gph flow back to the sump.

I seem to remember some pvc/plastic flow accelerators somewhere. I think they came in 1".
I don't remember the exact name, but maybe someone else does.

fishstix · Mar 19, 2018

mfinn said:
If you are determined to run 1-1/4 pipe part way, run it to a horizontal manifold with both pumps and then run the risers using 1" going into the tank with the 3/4" reducer bushings inside.
But I doubt you will actually gain that much.
You don't need much more than a 1000gph flow back to the sump.

I seem to remember some pvc/plastic flow accelerators somewhere. I think they came in 1".
I don't remember the exact name, but maybe someone else does.

I will have to look for those, never seen them before, not set on using 1 1/4, but seems like best option for flow from what the others have said?

ihavecrabs · Mar 19, 2018

fishstix said:
I will have to look for those, never seen them before, not set on using 1 1/4, but seems like best option for flow from what the others have said?

RFG random flow generator (also an accelerator) and the flow accelerator nozzle that fit loc line connections.

Is that what you are referring?

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mfinn · Mar 19, 2018

ihavecrabs said:
RFG random flow generator (also an accelerator) and the flow accelerator nozzle that fit loc line connections.

Is that what you are referring?

Checkout our sponsor @vivid Creative Aquarium

Something like that. I thought they might have 1" pvc sizes.

mfinn · Mar 19, 2018

fishstix said:
I have a PVC hybrid sump, that drilled for one inch returns. The tank is 220 gallons, with a return drilled on each side it 1 inch each. I am using return pump for each one and was going to run 1 inch PVC from each pump to the bulkhead that goes into the tank on each side.

Will one inch PVC be OK for this? The pumps are rated at 2200 GPH each.

Thanks

Going back to your first post, my first question would be, Why use two 2200gph pumps?

On my 240 I have a single return that is 1" pvc all the way to the bulkhead with a 3/4" loc line y and two 1/2 flare nozzles, and is powered by a Red Dragon 3, 80 watt pump ( 2100 gph) and I run it at about 75%.

fishstix · Mar 19, 2018

mfinn said:
Going back to your first post, my first question would be, Why use two 2200gph pumps?

On my 240 I have a single return that is 1" pvc all the way to the bulkhead with a 3/4" loc line y and two 1/2 flare nozzles, and is powered by a Red Dragon 3, 80 watt pump ( 2100 gph) and I run it at about 75%.

I wanted to go with the Neptune systems COR-20 so it all connected to my Apex.

mfinn · Mar 19, 2018

fishstix said:
I wanted to go with the Neptune systems COR-20 so it all connected to my Apex.

why 2?

fishstix · Mar 19, 2018

mfinn said:
why 2?

Several people on the Neptune forum said using 1 would be pushing it with my plumbing setup.

mfinn · Mar 19, 2018

fishstix said:
I wanted to go with the Neptune systems COR-20 so it all connected to my Apex.

You will get all the flow you need with a single 2200 gph pump for a 220 gallon tank using 1" pvc.
Use the minimum amount of fittings you can.
You don't need check valves or gate valves.
Just keep it simple.

mfinn · Mar 19, 2018

fishstix said:
Several people on the Neptune forum said using 1 would be pushing it with my plumbing setup.

You certainly can do what you want but IMO, you are making this all way to complicated.
What's the headloss for 4'-5' vertical run and a couple 45's and a 90?

fishstix · Mar 19, 2018

mfinn said:
You certainly can do what you want but IMO, you are making this all way to complicated.
What's the headloss for 4'-5' vertical run and a couple 45's and a 90?

Yes I agree, I feel very confused, and feel it way more complicated than I want.

mfinn · Mar 19, 2018

fishstix said:
Yes I agree, I feel very confused, and feel it way more complicated than I want.

One thing to take into consideration is what flow are you trying to achieve.
I'm in the slower flow camp.
I see no reason to go more than 5x-6x the tank volume through the sump.
I know many who even go as low as 3x the tank volume.
I don't consider the return as part of the flow for in tank circulation.
I use a closed loop or powerheads for that.

Slow or fast, both ways work.
It's all what you want to do.

drtrash · Mar 19, 2018

Return should be simple, circulation can be complex. I am all onboard for 1 return line 1” or more as needed

fishstix · Mar 19, 2018

Have any of you tried these in the tank? Just wondering, as they would remove the 3/4 factor?
http://www.oceansmotions.com/product/1-omni-flex-nozzle/

mfinn · Mar 19, 2018

fishstix said:
Have any of you tried these in the tank? Just wondering, as they would remove the 3/4 factor?
http://www.oceansmotions.com/product/1-omni-flex-nozzle/

They probably would as long as the threads were common.