Need some ideas how to plumb 500gal

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The tank definitely was used as a marine tank and looks to be setup as a "peninsula" style. It likely had (SPS) coral so likely what the 4 holes in the display were used for. I agree with Ragin, and, don't under estimate having a closed loop circulation and the benefits for a tank that size - even for FW. I may be bias as I also have peninsula tank and requested a closed loop circulation for it. IMO, if you used the tank as a peninsula, I don't think you'd want see all the PVC running if you used the tank holes for returns.

Turnover rate aside for a moment, I would be curious to see if your overflow box/teeth will be able to keep up with say, two 1" drains with a full siphon. In my situation, that seemed to be the bottle neck and not my 1" primary drain (until I made some adjustments to the internal overflow). I'm essentially running a Herbie drain (but with a third completely dry stand-by) - kind of a Herbie / BA hybrid I suppose.

I'm not sure I would agree if a Herbie or BA is more maintenance. It is essentially gravity fed. There's been a few post I've read, most of the time when folks use a larger primary drain with full siphon (gravity fed), they end up closing off quite a bit (via gate valve) to create the siphon. So even if you had a larger stand pipe, you'll need to consider if the overflow box will handle the increase as well.

That's a nice find and the shape is unique. Keep us posted...
 
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If you properly set up a bean style overflow there is no maintenance to it and it will be nearly silent. You will get more flow from a 1" siphon drain than you would a couple 1" gravity fed drains and they will make a ton more noise. Take the time to set up a bean animal, use the remaining hole in the overflow as a return, then use the holes in the base as a closed loop. It will stir up the crap on the bottom and push it up towards the overflow. You dont want your returns coming through the bottom in case the pumps are shut off, it'll drain back to the sump.
 
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Wow yall answered questions before I asked them. I can setup the bean animal overflow and use the remaining 3/4" as a return. Then I can fine turn the BA according to how much the overflow can handle? How much turnover should I do for the closed loop?
 
Yes, 3/4" as your return, it is a little small to be honest, but it'll work. Have the pump unrestricted for your return, then you just turn the valve on the siphon pipe so it isn't sucking any air. You want just a trickle of water down the second pipe, then your third pipe stays dry.

As for the closed loop, I'd aim for a couple thousand gph through it if possible.
 
DN328 said:
The tank definitely was used as a marine tank and looks to be setup as a "peninsula" style. It likely had (SPS) coral so likely what the 4 holes in the display were used for. I agree with Ragin, and, don't under estimate having a closed loop circulation and the benefits for a tank that size - even for FW. I may be bias as I also have peninsula tank and requested a closed loop circulation for it. IMO, if you used the tank as a peninsula, I don't think you'd want see all the PVC running if you used the tank holes for returns.

Turnover rate aside for a moment, I would be curious to see if your overflow box/teeth will be able to keep up with say, two 1" drains with a full siphon. In my situation, that seemed to be the bottle neck and not my 1" primary drain (until I made some adjustments to the internal overflow). I'm essentially running a Herbie drain (but with a third completely dry stand-by) - kind of a Herbie / BA hybrid I suppose.

I'm not sure I would agree if a Herbie or BA is more maintenance. It is essentially gravity fed. There's been a few post I've read, most of the time when folks use a larger primary drain with full siphon (gravity fed), they end up closing off quite a bit (via gate valve) to create the siphon. So even if you had a larger stand pipe, you'll need to consider if the overflow box will handle the increase as well.

That's a nice find and the shape is unique. Keep us posted...
Click to expand...
The tank will be setup peninsula style. You definitely opened my mind to some new ideas and yes I don't want to see pvc running in the display. BA would seem the way to go. With a closed loop. If my overflow could handle 2000-2500gph I would be pleased with that. Considering I would have a closed loop system also.
 
fishguy306 said:
Yes, 3/4" as your return, it is a little small to be honest, but it'll work. Have the pump unrestricted for your return, then you just turn the valve on the siphon pipe so it isn't sucking any air. You want just a trickle of water down the second pipe, then your third pipe stays dry.

As for the closed loop, I'd aim for a couple thousand gph through it if possible.
Click to expand...
2000gph should be easy to accomplish through four 1" holes. And with it being a closed loop the returns can stay closer to the bottom. So they are easier to hide.
 
For the return flow; if you use the two 3/4" bulkhead, I'd run the single PVC from the pump outlet, then "T" off where it makes sense to under your stand before going up through the overflow box. Keeps things clean. If your return is sufficient for the job, there should be no issues with having 3/4" returns.

I know I've got some threads with pictures of the returns in internal overflow as well as single closed loop you can reference (just to give a visual).
 
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DN328 said:
For the return flow; if you use the two 3/4" bulkhead, I'd run the single PVC from the pump outlet, then "T" off where it makes sense to under your stand before going up through the overflow box. Keeps things clean. If your return is sufficient for the job, there should be no issues with having 3/4" returns.

I know I've got some threads with pictures of the returns in internal overflow as well as single closed loop you can reference (just to give a visual).
Click to expand...
Ok so your say to use the herbie method. Use the two 1" for herbie and to use the two 3/4" as returns. Correct? I understand the T on the two returns.
 
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