help with drain sizes please

[jbabrh]

hi, i am starting to get together my second set up in the garage down stairs and would like some info on what size drain i should use for my set up. i have a 48x18x18 tank about to be made and a 36x15x12 sump which i required second hand. i would like to know what size hole and drain pipe should be used, i will be having just one drain with a corner weir and will be using a 1260 eheim universal for the return. many thanks in advanced regards richard.

ps this will be a freshwater set up but have not made up my mind exactly what to put in it yet, its just the max size i can get in.

 

[john73738]

Welcome to MFK..

This is the sticky from this forum that goes into detail about drain sizes.

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

If you have any questions the stickys are a great resource, then if you have questions tap into the rest here. My guess, rough figuring head loss between the sump/tank would be dead between 3/4" and 1"

Good luck on the setup, and be sure to post pics of the end result.

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

 

[jbabrh]

thanks john, will take your advice and look at the sticky, 3/4-1" is a good start point. will repost in the new year when i get the tank delivered thanks again

 

[jbabrh]

hi again, forgot to mention that the guy at the lfs suggests that i put in a 32mm drain? does this sound about right? what would be the outcome if the drain size was to large? very new to all this sump thing so trying to get as much knowledge before i make a major problem, cheers again richard.

 

[KaiserSousay]

You can very easily restrict too large a drain through plumbing size reducers, but you can not make too small a hole move more water.

 

[jbabrh]

wise words john, will go for the slightly larger 40mm drain i think, then reduce it down if its to big. am i right in thinking that the larger diameter pipe will make more noise as less water runs through it? i want max water turn over with the eheim 1260 so wouldn't really want to have to reduce return volume so the drain could cope. as you can tell not very knowledgeable in this field and hate doing things twice!

 

[Egon]

Yeah, you want to go larger with drains just for flexibility with future upgrades. I had a system running for years and then I swapped out my two pumps for a slightly larger one. My drain hole wasn't large enough for the extra water. I had to put a ball valve on my pump to reduce flow, that killed me.