What return plumbing size is best?

[samnaz]

I'm working a new build and I'm unsure if the return should be 3/4" or 1".
The overflow is the Eshopps Ecplise S, it has two 1" drains, one is an emergency drain. Rated for 600GPH max flow.
The tank is 30 gallons, sump is 25 gallons.

I originally planned for 3/4" overflow, but since it'd make the planning/building simpler to go with 1" I thought I'd ask if that's even do-able.

 

[mcarroll]

You're only looking at a need of 60-120 GPH, so the smaller will be fine. 1/2" would probably even be fine.

 

[samnaz]

You're only looking at a need of 60-120 GPH, so the smaller will be fine. 1/2" would probably even be fine.

By fine, do you mean better? Would 1/2" be better than 3/4"? To be clear, I'm not looking to do whatever is cheapest or smallest, just curious which would be adequate and most efficient.

 

[bif24701]

Larger diameter tube, hose, pipe will have less resistance= more flow.

What Mcarroll is saying is that at your pressure and flow the it doesn't make any appreciable difference between the two sizes. However, larger is always better.

 

[samnaz]

Larger diameter tube, hose, pipe will have less resistance= more flow.

What Mcarroll is saying is that at your pressure and flow the it doesn't make any appreciable difference between the two sizes. However, larger is always better.

So in my case, is 1" possible? Most (if not all) return pipes I've seen have been a smaller size than the overflow pipes.

 

[Big G]

I have the Eclipse L. It has three - 1" drains: one primary, one secondary and one emergency - all 1". My return line is 1" works great. Big is good.

 

[mcarroll]

Larger diameter tube, hose, pipe will have less resistance= more flow.

What Mcarroll is saying is that at your pressure and flow the it doesn't make any appreciable difference between the two sizes. However, larger is always better.

Here's @bif24701 with his new return plumbing – no friction losses allowed:

Comedy aside I pretty much agree, but I wouldn't say larger is always better since sometimes it won't fit or will be too expensive, etc.

But larger will never be a problem flow-wise. You can always reduce the pipe-size as-needed for the return outlets or pump input, etc.

However, smaller plumbing might be desirable simply because of its smaller form....it might be less obtrusive coming over the top of a tank rim or something. Who knows. And it's less expensive too....never a bad thing.

 

[samnaz]

Here's @bif24701 with his new return plumbing – no friction losses allowed:

Comedy aside I pretty much agree, but I wouldn't say larger is always better since sometimes it won't fit or will be too expensive, etc.

But larger will never be a problem flow-wise. You can always reduce the pipe-size as-needed for the return outlets or pump input, etc.

However, smaller plumbing might be desirable simply because of its smaller form....it might be less obtrusive coming over the top of a tank rim or something. Who knows. And it's less expensive too....never a bad thing.

So to clarify, by larger, do you mean larger than the overflow pipe size? The overflow is 1". The return will be drilled, so I'm not really worried about it being less obtrusive, I'm just wondering if 3/4" or 1" would be better for the return.

 

[mcarroll]

Just speaking generally there....larger vs smaller.

Size won't matter in your case. Pick what you like.

 

[bif24701]

So in my case, is 1" possible? Most (if not all) return pipes I've seen have been a smaller size than the overflow pipes.

It's fine. Larger sizes means the water flows slower through the line and has less friction. Of course there is a point where going larger doesn't have a meaningful gain.

 

[Idoc]

If you are going to use Loc-Line inside the DT for the return, then plumb it to 3/4"...I've only seen loc-line easily obtained in 1/2" and 3/4" diameters. You can always plumb off your return pump at 1" and then reduced it before it gets to the DT.

 

[Big G]

If you are going to use Loc-Line inside the DT for the return, then plumb it to 3/4"...I've only seen loc-line easily obtained in 1/2" and 3/4" diameters. You can always plumb off your return pump at 1" and then reduced it before it gets to the DT.

Exactly. I drilled for 1" return and then bulkheaded at 1". Then inside the tank reduced to 3/4" for Loc-Line. Works great.

 

[alex.mccann99]

I have a similar size tank, drilled and plumbed it myself also. Go with 3/4 for the return. As someone else mentioned, you'll want to use the LocLine fittings, they work best with 3/4. You can check out Glassholes.com, if you haven't already.

 

[Oceanavekid]

I have a similar size tank, drilled and plumbed it myself also. Go with 3/4 for the return. As someone else mentioned, you'll want to use the LocLine fittings, they work best with 3/4. You can check out Glassholes.com, if you haven't already.

Come to my house and do the plumbing on my 30G lol

 

[alex.mccann99]

Come to my house and do the plumbing on my 30G lol

It's really not that hard, this was my first tank I used PVC and not the flexible stuff. I wanted to make it look attractive underneath. BRS is great to buy everything from and they'll help you over the phone get everything you need. I'm actually looking forward to building my next tank, it was a lot of fun and rewarding.

 

[samnaz]

If you are going to use Loc-Line inside the DT for the return, then plumb it to 3/4"...I've only seen loc-line easily obtained in 1/2" and 3/4" diameters. You can always plumb off your return pump at 1" and then reduced it before it gets to the DT.

Exactly. I drilled for 1" return and then bulkheaded at 1". Then inside the tank reduced to 3/4" for Loc-Line. Works great.

I'm thinking about adding a Tee fitting to the return line to direct flow back to the sump middle chamber, in case I want to add a manifold or some other equipment in the future.

Would 3/4" be able to deliver sufficient flow to the tank in addition to some extra equipment (maybe a couple reactors)? I want to make it possible for potential upgrading in the future. Would a 3/4" return will limit the possibilities? I'm considering a 1" return so I can have a bigger pump and higher gph. Then switch to 3/4" Loc-Line for inside the tank.

 

[Idoc]

I'm thinking about adding a Tee fitting to the return line to direct flow back to the sump middle chamber, in case I want to add a manifold or some other equipment in the future.

Would 3/4" be able to deliver sufficient flow to the tank in addition to some extra equipment (maybe a couple reactors)? I want to make it possible for potential upgrading in the future. Would a 3/4" return will limit the possibilities? I'm considering a 1" return so I can have a bigger pump and higher gph. Then switch to 3/4" Loc-Line for inside the tank.

If you are worried about it, come off your pump with 1" PVC and then go off that with a 1" Tee to your manifold... then reduce the rest of your return into the tank to 3/4". Then your manifold could either be 3/4" or 1" depending on what you want. The connections iff the manifold will probably be 1/2" usually. Depending on your pump output, you should have plenty of flow.

 

[ca1ore]

It's a 30 ........ Heck I'm using 1" on my 265 ...... Lol.

 

[carlosceo2175]

I would always go bigger for the drain,also depends on how much gallons per hour you want to go ,the more gph the bigger the drain ,I'm running 3/4 on my return to 2 manifolds that run my reactors and have a 1" drain ,wish I went bigger on the drain to push for gph .

 

[csterling86]

It's fine. Larger sizes means the water flows slower through the line and has less friction. Of course there is a point where going larger doesn't have a meaningful gain.

What y'all don't get is head height.in your case it's a smaller pump an head height will be a contributing factor an with this an our low psi pumps size makes difference.one inch pipe will have more water weight an more water to push up an over the tank.so I'd say go smallest as possible in the aquarium world.its one thing ppl don't think about.most one inch drains are blocked to half inch or 3/8 to get a complete syphon.ppl don't realize what a 3/4 inch pipe will flow.it will flow more then ur one inch gravity fed drain.