Single 1-1/2 drain ok

[riche]

Is a single 1-1/2" drain ok on a 180 gallon tank?

I will dual returns 1" on the tank.

The drain is in the top middle(overflow box inside tank)

The returns are at each end

Trying to plumb the tank now. I can use the second drain if needed but its a tight fit where the pipes have to go into the sump

 

[CodyRVA]

You're playing with fire. Even if you went with 1 drain as a stand alone, primary, you should still have an emergency drain.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Sure it is fine. I have used a single 1" drain on a 100G mixed reef running at 1000 GPH for over 13 years without a single incident. Everyone overthinks overflows in my opinion. Use a reliable standpipe design and keep it clean and you will not have any issues. I prefer the Stockman standpipe design myself as the larger coupling acts as a shroud to keep things like snails and small critters out so it does not plug.

 

[CodyRVA]

Sure it is fine. I have used a single 1" drain on a 100G mixed reef running at 1000 GPH for over 13 years without a single incident. Everyone overthinks overflows in my opinion. Use a reliable standpipe design and keep it clean and you will not have any issues. I prefer the Stockman standpipe design myself as the larger coupling acts as a shroud to keep things like snails and small critters out so it does not plug.

You should play the lottery! I have a ghost overflow and would have already had a mess if not for my emergency drain.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Its all about how it is plumbed and the design of your standpipe. Nice straight, smooth runs with little to no fittings or restrictions and a good protected standpipe desigh and you can sleep soundly at night with no worries. I don't know of a single friend in my local reefing community who has ever had an overflow related leak or flood and I have been keeping saltwater tanks for close to 35 years now.

 

[sil40sx]

Its all about how it is plumbed and the design of your standpipe. Nice straight, smooth runs with little to no fittings or restrictions and a good protected standpipe desigh and you can sleep soundly at night with no worries. I don't know of a single friend in my local reefing community who has ever had an overflow related leak or flood and I have been keeping saltwater tanks for close to 35 years now.

I'm glad to hear/read this.

I have a 75g with single 1 1/2" durso overflow and 2 x 3/4" return line. (With 900gph pump less head pressure loss) It's been running consistent and quiet, but I've been contemplating if I just convert it to one return, and make the other one an emergency drain. Post like yours gives me more confidence and piece of mind on my current overflow set up.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Keep it simple. I prefer the Stockman vesrion of the Durso since the Durso has a large opening and can be restricted by a fish, anemone or snail. The Stockman found on Richard Durso's webpage has a larger PVC coupling acting as a shroud over 360 degree holes so it is about impossible to plug the entire opening surface area. I have also found the Stockman or the ready made version called the Maggie Muffler, to be quieter than the Durso, especially when you snake a piece of airline tubing down the hole in the top and fine tune its immersion depth.

 

[riche]

I think since I have the hole drilled and bulkhead there I'm just going to use it for piece of mind.

I will use one for the drain and the other I will use a a emergency back up

 

[mfinn]

I've had multiple tanks with a single drains that have run for years with no problems. My current zoanthids tank is a 50 gallons that been running for 6-7 years with a single 1-1/4" drain.
While I prefer a double drain, it's not always possible.