Return pipe size and flexi pvc pipe

[Lukemitchell]

Hi everyone

Plumbing my new tank and I'm a 1" and 3/4" overflow pipe then running a single 1" return pipe but I want the flexi PVC pipe (duckbill pipe I've heard it called), if I have 1" return what size flexi pipe would I need?
I want them because I can position one to the bottom and one on the upper layer for water flow.
If anyone could help me out that would be great.
Thanks

 

[JK47]

Hi everyone

Plumbing my new tank and I'm a 1" and 3/4" overflow pipe then running a single 1" return pipe but I want the flexi PVC pipe (duckbill pipe I've heard it called), if I have 1" return what size flexi pipe would I need?
I want them because I can position one to the bottom and one on the upper layer for water flow.
If anyone could help me out that would be great.
Thanks

Can you post a link to what you are calling flex pvc? There are numerous flexible type products out there and they all connect in a slightly different way.

Bonus question: any reason you aren't running the two 1" lines as overflows and the 3/4" as a return from the pump? Can you describe your overflow towers, bulkhead placement etc? Those answers will help a lot.

 

[Lukemitchell]

This is what I meant, couldn't think of what it was called.
Yes I could use both 1" holes as drains but I was thinking that it wouldn't give the tank suffient circulation (if you get that), like I'd set it up one end the drains then the other end the returns so the flow circulates to the drains taking all the crap to the drains.

 

[ragin_cajun]

that's Loc-Line. I think it only comes in 3/4". You typically use that inside the display tank, not all the way from the sump up to the tank. I think you might want something more like ...
http://www.all-americanhose.com/maxi-flex.asp

What size tank? what flow rate?

 

[JK47]

This is what I meant, couldn't think of what it was called.
Yes I could use both 1" holes as drains but I was thinking that it wouldn't give the tank suffient circulation (if you get that), like I'd set it up one end the drains then the other end the returns so the flow circulates to the drains taking all the crap to the drains.

View attachment 1263521

Ah ok. What you are referring to is called Loc-Line. A lot of us use it, great stuff. I would highly suggest you use both 1" lines as overflows. 1" is not very large and will restrict flow. The more you can add to help that 1" one, the better. Loc line will be 3/4" anyway. It may be a moot point to hope the mechanical flows to one side of the overflows can't handle the flow adequately. What gallon per hour pump are you targeting?

 

[jaws7777]

Depending on the tank size you may ne better doing as other have suggested and use the 1 inchers as drains or maybe figure a way to use 1 as an e drain

 

[Lukemitchell]

that's Loc-Line. I think it only comes in 3/4". You typically use that inside the display tank, not all the way from the sump up to the tank. I think you might want something more like ...
http://www.all-americanhose.com/maxi-flex.asp

What size tank? what flow rate?

I wasn't going to use it straight from the sump just inside the tank so I could move them where I'd need them.

 

[Lukemitchell]

Ah ok. What you are referring to is called Loc-Line. A lot of us use it, great stuff. I would highly suggest you use both 1" lines as overflows. 1" is not very large and will restrict flow. The more you can add to help that 1" one, the better. Loc line will be 3/4" anyway. It may be a moot point to hope the mechanical flows to one side of the overflows can't handle the flow adequately. What gallon per hour pump are you targeting?

At the moment I have a 125 gallon running 2 x 3/4" drains and 1 x 1" return with a DCP 5000 (if I remember rightly) and that's on full power, it's running 5-6 times turnover.
My new tanks 225 gallon and has two over flow boxes either side of the tank and each has a 1" and a 3/4" hole, so you think using both 1" holes as drains then using both 3/4" holes as returns ?
I will be using the same pump from my other tank but I have 2 of the same pumps if I need to use them both.

 

[Lukemitchell]

Also I'm using a UV so if I had 2 returns how would I plumb those both in ?

 

[jaws7777]

If it were me i would use both 1 inch bulkheads as e drains, the 3/4 bulkheads as siphon and run the return lines over the back of the tank