265 gallon tank build

Depends on how you want to set it up. For returns, its tricky but overflows are simple. If you are going to use the two combined pumps for a total of 1900 gph, I personally would use a two inch and a 1.25 inch pvc overflow. The two inch will support 1500 gph and the most flow leaving less of a suction noise and the 1.25 will support 580 gph which is the remainder which is going to be your noise.

Generally your going to lose a decent amount from head loss so you will be in the safe zone even if one partially clogs. The return pump size should always just match the pump's fitting. There is a debate that a smaller diameter will give a better flow rate as it wont have to push more water volume up but matching it to the pump has always worked for me.

I personally dont have my sump hard plumbed but thats a preference of mine, I like to switch out the pumps with others laying around to test flows and not so its not "permanent". I use clear tubes with a high quality zip tie and some pliers to make sure it doesnt slip off.

But all in all
return: match your pumps fitting
overflow: a 2 inch and a 1.25 inch.

A word of caution is to make sure you wont go too big or the overflowing water will make your room sound like an ocean. Having one pipe always submerged taking the "grunt" of the flow leaving the other overflow to take the remainder will ensure a less noisy sump.

Ian14 said:

Thanks! I was reading about the durso stand pipe and that seems like the best option of a overflow for me. My question is, can it just be the stand pipe there or do I need the glass/acrylic piece acting as the first overflow and shielding the stand piper from the rest of the tank. It's tough to explain

Also about using two different diameters. What if I just had 2 1.5 inch pipes for the overflows and had them discharge in the same place I'm the sump. And as for the pumps just take the water out of the same place, if you know what I mean?

Or do you recommend having 2 separate filtration compartments/areas in the sump tank


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I think I fully understand what you are trying to say but correct me if I am wrong.

For return overflows this is honestly the only one I have made myself and it works great. But the durso stand pipe looks like it will be quite! I'll have to try that out sometime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65yVr7DiDls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DFk4bnIxEg

So when you ask if you need a glass or acrylic panel for a stand pipe I could tell you in short and referee you to this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH5mq3P3tEY
Short answer is no if you are planning on housing larger fish that cannot fit through the pipe. The panel is added to keep out fish and possibly anything that will clog it but if your iffy, you could.

As for using two different diameters for the overflows I would HIGHLY recommend it. On my 220 i currently have two 1.75 inch drains and its not good... I had to do some modifications to it because its would go GLUURRP every five seconds or better known as the siphon effect which sounds like the ocean!!!

This is on my 220 with a 2400gph pump or somthing along those lines. I forgot haha
Here you can see I added a elbow.


Without this elbow or the airline hoses on the right the overflow box is very loud and I couldnt live with it.


I have seen others with two different diameters and it works great with no other modifications. My friend is currently running a one inch and a 1.5 inch on his 150 and its silent!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7kayU6-NGY

At around 2:30 joey touches on why this is a better set up. Hope i answered your questions!

Oh and for you sump questions, it really doesnt matter how its set up as long as its all in there. Many people have more than 3 compartments but I have two. One for the trickle tower for the bio balls and then one for sponges and then the pump. Bio balls never loose their surface area unlike ceramic which must be behind all the mechanical filtration or it will clog and fast! But you should look into running some filter socks too keep maintenance a bit easier for yourself. I would rather wash the socks out than take out everything in the sump!