Seting up a sump setup

[backpack]

This is my first sump system. I picked up a wet dry at my lfs. Along with a
mag 18 and a 200gallon tank. The tank has 2x 1" bulkheads and 2x 3/4" bulkheads.
Where do I go from here except enlarging the drain holes for larger bulkheads?
what size should I drill to? What is the best way to set it up?

 

[backpack]

I also have a lifegard chemical and mechanical filter I am going to run after the pump.
Will this slow down the pump enough?

 

[backpack]

Should I just hook it up and see if it drains the sump?

 

[backpack]

Bump

Just need a little advice.

 

[B_IN_SD]

Yes, then modify, adapt and overcome as needed. I am plumbing the same size tank today but into a sump.

 

[backpack]

im plumbing into a sump then two lifegards. Just worried about hard plumbing all that and then
not having enough return flow.

 

[DIDYSIS]

How large are the pumps your running? One inch is small and I would say go to 1.5 inch drains and you will be set for almost anything. I agree never fun to do it once then tear apart to do it again.

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[backpack]

Im have a mag 18 wich is a 1800 gph pump. Should I use two 1" and one 3/4" as returns and the other 3/4"
as a pressuare? or just use all as returns and external pipe a spray bar or somthing similar?

 

[B_IN_SD]

How many holes are drilled in your tank ? if there are 2 large and 2 small the 2 large are drain lines and the 2 smaller are returns

 

[aldiaz33]

It sounds like the tank was designed to run 1" drains and 3/4" returns through each overflow tower, but you have other options:

1. Use all holes as drains and run returns up the back of the tank. This would give you the the abilty to run higher turnover if you are unhappy with the 1,200GPH that the two 1" drains would get you.

Running all holes as drains, you get the followring:
1" drain- 600GPH
1" drain- 600GPH
3/4" drain- 340GPH
3/4" drain- 340GPH

Total maximum capacity of drains is increased to 1,880 GPH.

2. If you are comfortable drilling acrylic (and there is enough room to do so) you can drill larger holes so that you can run 1.5" drains and 1" returns. You would want to be careful that there is enough room for the larger bulkheads, but if you have the room, I think it's a good option.

PS- drains should always be larger than returns...I can't think of any circumstance where you would want to run the 3/4" bulkheads as drains and the 1" bulkheads as returns.

I am a big fan of Laguna Max Flo pumps. They are quiet and very energy efficient. I would consider returning the Mag and going with a comparable Laguna...it would probably pay for itself in a year of use versus the Mag.