2" drains so what size returns?
- Thread starter jim barry
- Start date
I would go for a 1.5" return. U could get away with 1" but it would significantly reduce your flowrate.
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here is a link that i use to determine drain size. http://reefcentral.com/index.php/drainoverflow-size-calc
you said you have 2" drains, how many? one 2" drain can handle about 2400-2500 US gallons per hour.
how many gallons per hour is your return? that is what determines the size or number of the overflows. remember to always have more overflow capability than inflow. most larger pumps are 1.5inch outputs but some are 2" either could work and remember you can restrict the outflow of most pumps (with a ballvalve)to dial it back if you need to.
good luck
you said you have 2" drains, how many? one 2" drain can handle about 2400-2500 US gallons per hour.
how many gallons per hour is your return? that is what determines the size or number of the overflows. remember to always have more overflow capability than inflow. most larger pumps are 1.5inch outputs but some are 2" either could work and remember you can restrict the outflow of most pumps (with a ballvalve)to dial it back if you need to.
good luck
Thanks. I haven't had the tank built yet. Still at the design stage. I am thinking of two weirs with a 2" drain in each and a return in each. The pumps will turn the tank over 10 times an hour, one pump on each return.
The return size comes down to the pump. If you pick out one of the larger pumps with a 1.5 return then you should stick with 1.5 plumbing and a 1.5" bulkhead return. If your going with a pump with a 1" return then go with 1" plumbing and a 1" bulkhead return and so on.
FYI: I have 1.5" drain bulkheads and 1" returns.
FYI: I have 1.5" drain bulkheads and 1" returns.
Previously I had 2x 1.5" durso drain and 2x 1" return for my 180gal 6'x2'x2'. I just switched to the herbie overflow, super silent!!! Big difference in sound between the two. I still have 2x 1.5" drain, now one is the main drain and the other is the emergency drain. Still have the same 2x 1" returns.
I have 2-2" drains and 2-1" returns on my 10x4x30". Hydrive 4800 runs both of the returns. Then I added a mag 24 piped it up back of tank and into top because I wasnt going to drill another bulkhead in it. Head is only about 5 feet. The 2" drains handle the water flow without problems.
Step 1: Determine desired GPH. If you want 10x turnover on a 450G (US) tank, then you want 4,500GPH (US) flowing through your sump.
Step 2: Determine head height (how high does the pump need to push the water)- I'll assume 6'.
Step 3: Determine which pump(s) you would like to use that push 4,500GPH @ 6' of head.
--Running two Laguna Max Flo 2900's @ 6' of head will get you 4,502GPH total on less than 260 total watts (I'd challenge anyone to find more efficient pump(s) while pushing that much water @ 6' of head height).
Step 4: Determine what plumbing you will need to handle that type of flow.
--If you have two overflows and plan to run Durso stand pipes, I would make them 3" each. If you have three overflows, you might be able to use 2", but you will be cutting it close**. For two returns, I would use 1.5" plumbing.
**I know this from personal experience. I have (3) 2" overflows and my Reeflo Hammerhead pump overpowered them @ 9' of head pressure (according to Reeflos performance chart, the pump pushes 4,400 GPH @ 9' of head, so my three 2" drains could not handle the 1,466GPH each that the Hammerheard Gold was throwing at them- I had to valve the pump back, very slightly so that it would not suck my sump dry and overflow my display).
I think a lot of the flow rate charts for various PVC sizes are overstated because they A) are stated for full siphon (which a Durso is not), B) do not account for any elbows or horizontal runs of plumbing below the bulkhead fitting which we all have and will slow flow C) are rated for smooth/new pipe; you can count on mulm building up within the pipe that will definitely slow your GPH rates.
In case you don't want to read all of the above, to make a long story short, this is what I would do.
- two 3" drains
- two 1.5" returns
- two Laguna Max Flo 2900 pumps
Step 2: Determine head height (how high does the pump need to push the water)- I'll assume 6'.
Step 3: Determine which pump(s) you would like to use that push 4,500GPH @ 6' of head.
--Running two Laguna Max Flo 2900's @ 6' of head will get you 4,502GPH total on less than 260 total watts (I'd challenge anyone to find more efficient pump(s) while pushing that much water @ 6' of head height).
Step 4: Determine what plumbing you will need to handle that type of flow.
--If you have two overflows and plan to run Durso stand pipes, I would make them 3" each. If you have three overflows, you might be able to use 2", but you will be cutting it close**. For two returns, I would use 1.5" plumbing.
**I know this from personal experience. I have (3) 2" overflows and my Reeflo Hammerhead pump overpowered them @ 9' of head pressure (according to Reeflos performance chart, the pump pushes 4,400 GPH @ 9' of head, so my three 2" drains could not handle the 1,466GPH each that the Hammerheard Gold was throwing at them- I had to valve the pump back, very slightly so that it would not suck my sump dry and overflow my display).
I think a lot of the flow rate charts for various PVC sizes are overstated because they A) are stated for full siphon (which a Durso is not), B) do not account for any elbows or horizontal runs of plumbing below the bulkhead fitting which we all have and will slow flow C) are rated for smooth/new pipe; you can count on mulm building up within the pipe that will definitely slow your GPH rates.
In case you don't want to read all of the above, to make a long story short, this is what I would do.
- two 3" drains
- two 1.5" returns
- two Laguna Max Flo 2900 pumps