My 600 plywood tank has 2 1.5" drains and I will be running 2 Jebao dct-15000 pumps, they flow almost 4k gph at full throttle. My previous 300 tank I was running 2 3/4" returns and I was going to use the same piping. Will 3/4" be enough? Should I just scrap the 3/4" and buy some 1" or 1.25"?
what size return lines for 600 gallon tank
- Thread starter Niners4952
- Start date
I would recommend going with at least 1", but 1.25 or 1.5 will be better. Also, I am thinking you might want to get a bit larger overflows. It seems to me that two 1.5" overflows is a little small for a 600 gallon, unless you are wanting a lower turnover rate. I am using three 1.5" overflows on my 220 that I plan on running around 1,500gph. It is overkill but I want to be able to have one of them get clogged and still have the other two keep up.
If I remember correctly the output on the pump is 1.5", your best bet it to keep at that large or you will be loosing a lot of flow. I also agree, you are going to want more/bigger drains.
I just looked up the thread about the drains. It looks like a 1.5" gravity drain will handle about 1,350gph. So, with two of them you will be at 2,700gph. If your pump is pushing 4,000gph at the head height you're at then you're in trouble.
However, a 2" gravity drain can handle about 2,400gph. So two of those will handle nearly 5,000gph.
I recommend you up the sizes of your current drains to 2" and then add one more. This way you will be able to have one of them clog up and still run on the other two.
However, a 2" gravity drain can handle about 2,400gph. So two of those will handle nearly 5,000gph.
I recommend you up the sizes of your current drains to 2" and then add one more. This way you will be able to have one of them clog up and still run on the other two.
The sticky in the DIY section is a good jumping off point for figuring out what you want
http://monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/pipe-sizing-charts-and-flow-rates.205645/
I personally run a 1.5" drain at full siphon with a 1" return hooked to a DCT6000.
http://monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/pipe-sizing-charts-and-flow-rates.205645/
I personally run a 1.5" drain at full siphon with a 1" return hooked to a DCT6000.
Just to be a little more clear, im planning on getting around 2400gph per pump after head loss and or adjusting the output. So basically white size return for 2400gph. It comes with adapters to run 3/4" to 1.5". I should upgrade to 2" drains I am just worried it would be to much for my 3 barrel filter system that has 3" pipe connecting them. I could even turn the pumps down to 1800 gph that would still give me 6x turnover
I would do 2" drains and 1.5" returns. I use it on my 500 with a dart gold return pump and it works flawlessly. I would be very nervous with 1.5" drains and that kind of volume.
Do you think 3 2" drains would do the trick? I have 2" bulkheads installed I could just add a 3rd and drill my 1.5" uniseals to 2"
