Return Pump plumbing question

[MichaelClark55]

I just setup a 20 gal. display refugium next to the display tank. I installed a T in the return pump line in the sump to get water to the refug. The existing flexable PVC line was (I thought 1" - why did I assume!) So I bought 1" braided vinyl line for the refugium side of the T. Turned on the pump: ton of flow to the refugium and very little to the display.

So the 1" line has more flow or less head pressure than the 3/4" line.

Seems the solution is to
a. replace the display tank return line with 1". I would rather do this but the fitting at the bottom of the tank is 3/4" as it the vertical standpipe.
b. Install a gate valve on the refugium line so I can restrict the flow and balance the flow evenly to each tank.

Has anyone ever done this? Does this seem to be the correct way to fix my blunder?

 

[Chef Tommy]

I had pretty much a similar setup and used a valve from the manifold to supply display refugium. Really enjoyed this setup but temporarily took it down while I do some remodeling around tank.

The flow was from 1/2” in flex and I had a single drain in 1” that went back to sump refugium.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Sounds like you have the solution.....valve the refugium to control flow rates.

 

[MichaelClark55]

I had pretty much a similar setup and used a valve from the manifold to supply display refugium. Really enjoyed this setup but temporarily took it down while I do some remodeling around tank.

The flow was from 1/2” in flex and I had a single drain in 1” that went back to sump refugium.

Thanks Tommy. I have read some info on the hole in the drain. I assume that is the small tube on top of the PVC plug? What is this for and should I do this? Anti-syphon? If so I don't understand the need. I shut off my pump to see if I had any drain issuses and it seems ok without the hole. I have gravity drain back to the sump via 1" pvc to the sump and flexable pipe inside the sump.

 

[Chef Tommy]

I really think the hole was just in case, it did aid in running the drain quietly but the flow there should be slow enough to not really be an issue.

Look up https://www.live-plants.com

Lots of fun items!! I highly suggest using the refugium display as a qt for new additions like this though because of possible pests. It’s another reason I like the valve because of the option of containment.

It’s another fun addition to our hobby!!

 

[MichaelClark55]

Awesome great news. I got my plants from plants.com
This what I got:
Caulerpa, Red Algae sampler (4 ea) Coralline Algae (main tank) Red Finger Sponge -
this will most likely die since I exposed it to air, Purple Frilly Gorgonia, Ricordea Colors
Mushroom, Caulerpa Sertulariodes, Caulerpa Prolifera. Also moved Cheto from
sump (it was crawling with copeds, etc.) and moved live rock from QT tank and sump

I actully got way too much plant material so about half of the green plants and the cheto is stuffed behind a big live rock and I planted the red ones in the front. Got one clump of tall fans in the back corner.

 

[Chef Tommy]

Please share photos of that! Sounds awesome [emoji4]

 

[MichaelClark55]

Please share photos of that! Sounds awesome [emoji4]

Doesn't look like much yet, needs to establish. I also transferred my 2 peppermint shrimp in there who have been on patrol in the display and the QT tank. Going to get some more snails and star fish. Also waiting on liveplants.com to get fans back it and I'll replace the sponge that I killed.

 

[MichaelClark55]

oops