500 Gallon. Bulkhead and return sizes?

[DAZZA]

Hi Guys

I've recently sold my 8x2x2' and when I set up again I want either a 9x3x3 or 10x3x3.

I want to have a wier at both sides of the tank with bottom and top combs.

Ideally, I'd like the return to be on the right hand side as I want flow from right to left as I'll be keeping open water predators i.e: ATF.

So, in the two wiers, what size bulkheads do i need? I've been thinking one 1.5" bulkhead (2 in total) in each wier with a 1" return (1).

Would that be ok?

 

[bomber]

I do not see why that would not work.

 

[Egon]

I have an 8 foot long 450 gallon tank. It came with two overflows, one on each side of the tank. Each overflow has a 1.5 inch bulkhead going to it's own 55 gallon sump. I use two 1" returns for this set up. Exactly what your looking to do, so your set up will work.

With drains, it's always better to go with the largest drain hole possible. Another tip for drains: one 2" drain is better (more flow) than two 1" lines. Go with the largest drain possible, someday you may want to upgrade your pumps or add a trickle system or ect. at least you will have a large drain to support that!

Good Luck!

 

[Pharaoh]

That sounds completely workable. I think my 540 has 2" on it though, but then you are talking some serious water flow.

 

[FSM]

So you want the overflow chamber to be on one side, and the output from the sump to be on the other side? For the output you could build a spray-bar type thing to move evenly distribute the flow, which would create a more realistic current.

according to this: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=205645

A 2" drain has a max gravitational flow of 2400 GPH. To produce a reasonably fast current (it will still be hardly anything compared to the natural conditions of these fish) you probably want at less 5k GPH or more, so it would be best to have at least 2, preferably 3 2" bulkheads.


BTW, 1 foot per second through an area of 1 square foot is 27000 GPH, and your proposed tank would have a 9 square foot area

 

[DAZZA]

Thanks for the input guys.

I've had a rethink. The wiers are in both the left and right back corners with top and bottom scouring combs.

In both wiers there will now be a (1) 2" drain in each.

On the right hand side of the tank there will be one 1.5" return serviced by a 6, 8 or 10,000 litre per hour pond pump.

So, two 2" drains and one 1.5" return.

Still workable?