Starting new tank questions

[Xclusive Reef]

ok so I am going to start a 90 gal tank soon. I am only able to get a 20 gal for sump/refugium. I am getting a similar overflow like ghost. On the 90 gal, what size is best for bulkheads? I can choose 3/4 rated for 1200 gph overflow or 1.5 inch bulkheads rated 1600 gph. I have not yet bought the return pump but I am leaning towards Sicce or quiet one pro 4000. Opinions and suggestions welcome on new pump. For skimmer I am going with either aquamaxx or reef octopus.

if my overflow is drilled with 1.5 bulkhead then can I use same for return? And will all my plumbing be 1 inch pipe with unions being 1.5 inches?

 

[Xclusive Reef]

Anyone? Bump

 

[Duke4Life]

#reefsquad

 

[melypr1985]

Oh gosh. I'm not good with these types of questions. I think @redfishbluefish is though....probably missing somebody.

 

[Joey waid]

I know for a fact I would not use anything 3/4 for a drain line. You need in my opinion no less that 1.25 on the drain. You can always size it down, but it hard to size it up if you need more flow. .75 on the return should be fine.

 

[RJ Harris]

I run 1.25 for the drain and .75 for the return it's worked very well for me on my 125.

 

[Xclusive Reef]

I run 1.25 for the drain and .75 for the return it's worked very well for me on my 125.

Would it work if I drill 1 inch drain then use 1.25 pipes for the return?

 

[RJ Harris]

I would still be inclined to do the 1.25 bulkhead and try a 1 inch drain pipe and if it restricts your flow to much you can upgrade where as if u do the 1 inch from the start it'll be harder to switch an you'd still have a smaller hole the water has to go thru even though the drain is 1.25 if that makes sense. Some one may correct me if I'm wrong but that's wat I would do

 

[Xclusive Reef]

I would still be inclined to do the 1.25 bulkhead and try a 1 inch drain pipe and if it restricts your flow to much you can upgrade where as if u do the 1 inch from the start it'll be harder to switch an you'd still have a smaller hole the water has to go thru even though the drain is 1.25 if that makes sense. Some one may correct me if I'm wrong but that's wat I would do

Thanks, thats what i am planning 1.25 drain and 1 inch return.

 

[theblackpearl]

I like to do a 200% overflow if I can. So in your case that would be 1800 GPH. I do it so that I can run a pump that can flow 10x tank volume at minimum. I would try to flow at least 1000gph to the tank. Now imagine if one of the three bulkheads became plugged. Thats why it is best to go so big.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Good points. I would agree on the 1 inch return and 1.25 or 1.5 inch overflow.

 

[theblackpearl]

I would use 2 or 3 overflows. Just like a synergy overflow. I would never trust just one overflow on my reef tank

 

[Xclusive Reef]

I would use 2 or 3 overflows. Just like a synergy overflow. I would never trust just one overflow on my reef tank

why would you think I would do 1 tube ? lol I am doing the bean Animal overflow. Yes I am using a ghost overflow.

 

[theblackpearl]

ok....i know people that have only done one....never ends well....I forgot you said you were doing a ghost overflow....anyways its safe to do 10x max system volume minimum or 1100 gph....but i think i would go even higher than that

 

[mgoesma]

I have a 1.5 drain and a 1 return. Works great.

 

[theblackpearl]

I have a 1.5 drain and a 1 return. Works great.

You wont like it if that single 1.5" drain plugs up when you are on vacation or go to work for 12 hours

 

[mgoesma]

Well how my sump is partitioned if it plugged it would only pump about 3 gallons into the display. I have tested and that will not overflow the dt. it would just burn up the pump. I would not be apposed to a second drain but my tank was drilled when I got it. I also tested to make sure if the pump goes out it will not overflow the sump.