What size pvc pipe for drain line.

[dirtybird29]

Hello everybody!! I'm new to the whole reef tank set up. I'm fixing to set up a 180 gallon with two corner over flows.
My question is , what size pvc pipe do i need to run from my bulk head to my sump .will the 1" pvc be enough?
I'm going to be using 2 aqueon submersible pumps. Each pump max out at around 760 gph. They are adjustable flow rate. Thanks

 

[Reefing Madness]

1" pvc will give you up to 960gph
1.25" will give you up to 1500gph

http://flexpvc.com/WaterFlowBasedOnPipeSize.shtml

 

[ReeferBob]

It depends on the size of your holes. Match your bulkhead and pipe to the hole. Are you going full siphon or traditional flow? Full siphon is a much higher flow rate but requires more upfront.

 

[StikHedRon]

Great Information Reefing Madness!

 

[dirtybird29]

It depends on the size of your holes. Match your bulkhead and pipe to the hole. Are you going full siphon or traditional flow? Full siphon is a much higher flow rate but requires more upfront.

Not sure if this is traditional or full syphon .The tank came with 1" bulkheads for return and a Durso drain system for each overflow.

 

[Reefing Madness]

[h=3]How much water flows?[/h] One of the most common questions is "How much water will flow through a bulkhead?" We can use a fairly simple equation to answer that question. The equation is the "Bernoulli Equation". According to Bernoulli's Law, the uncompressible fluid (water) will travel through an opening at a velocity(v) = sqrt (2*g*h) just like any other object FALLING out of a hole. Let's take a closer look at what Bernoulli said.
Daniel Bernoulli's Principle:

Where:
v = Velocity
h = Height
g = Gravity
Flow Rate:

Where:
Q = Flow Rate
A = Cross Sectional Area
v = Velocity
So, we first solve for the Velocity of the water. The water has Velocity because gravity is pulling on it (it is falling).
We use the equation

to find that Velocity. Once we find the Velocity of the water, we can find out how much water is falling because we know the Area of the pipe that that the water is draining (falling) through. That is, we use the equation Q = A*v to determine the flow through the hole.

Hydraulics for the Aquarist

 

[shred5]

Not sure if this is traditional or full syphon .The tank came with 1" bulkheads for return and a Durso drain system for each overflow.

Well if you have on inch bulkheads there is your answer.. Unless you are going to take them off and drill bigger holes.. Which with some tanks is impossble because the holes are drilled and then tempered on most tanks..