Overflow and return pump questions...

[rob408]

Hey guys, I just got a new 180 gallon set up

My question is, the prior owner has a center internal over flow with three 1" holes drilled. Two were for drain and one for return. It appears that when he was using the set up, he was only using one drain and plugged the other drain. What size return pump do I need? It looks like its going to be an external pump, so I need some suggestions.

What I want to do is use the two drains and have a strong return to two 1" return holes.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Pangong_ilong]

I would recommend a big wet/dry system. And then on the return, just buy a split nozzle.

 

[Hasi]

I am using a pump that is rated at 4500 lph (litres per hour). I am also using 2 1" drains and one 1" return so i think you will need both and you will need a bleed/check valve on the return to control the return rate as with 1" drains at full blast is ALOT so you will need to adjust the return to a suitable rate in order to maintain a constant level for both the drain and return.

 

[rkc772]

wow that's the very thing i am doing right now with my comming 180 gal tank. 2 of 1 inch drain and 1 of 1 inch return. but my return will split into a tee and reduce to 3/4 on each end of the overflow box. the pump that i'll be using is a mag drive 24 if it doesn't pump to well i'll go for a mag drive 36. need to put some ball valve and check valve on the return if in case the return is much more than the drain but i doubt it since 2 of 1 inch agains 1 of 1 inch. i think as long as the return doesn't dry up your sump you're fine.

 

[JardiniBoy]

My design is similar to the above for my tank that will be arriving in about a month, except that I have one 2" drain hole and two smaller return holes. I'm also going to have 2 pumps instead of one, so if there's a problem with one of them I'll still have questions.

I have started a few threads about my design ... just ask if you have any questions

JB

 

[Hasi]

wow that's the very thing i am doing right now with my comming 180 gal tank. 2 of 1 inch drain and 1 of 1 inch return. but my return will split into a tee and reduce to 3/4 on each end of the overflow box. the pump that i'll be using is a mag drive 24 if it doesn't pump to well i'll go for a mag drive 36. need to put some ball valve and check valve on the return if in case the return is much more than the drain but i doubt it since 2 of 1 inch agains 1 of 1 inch. i think as long as the return doesn't dry up your sump you're fine.

Thats what i thought but it depends on how powerful your pump is. Its best to have the check valve in case anyway

 

[rob408]

Thanks for the quick response guys. I think I'll go with the Mag36 and use a ball valve to control the flow.