270 gallon reef drain size question?

[PAUL327]

Im looking at a 270 gallon cube tank that I want to make a reef tank with one overflow against the back wall. I have a dart return pump what size should the drain be? And the return line? :uhoh3:

 

[bluewater921]

at least 2 - 1 1/2 returns on a 270 .

 

[viggen]

Yea..... Two 1.5 or two 2 in would do the trick

I went with two 2 in and two 1 in on my 475g. One of the 2 in drains is has a diy durso pipe. A second 2in pipe for if/when the durso clogs/fails for any reason. One of the 1n pipes feeds my skimmer and the second 1in is if I get a second skimmer or need one to run via gravity a different filter. Figured more holes then I need are better then not enough.

 

[PAUL327]

The tank currently has 1 drain its an 1/14. Tank was a fish only but for a reef I'm gonna need another hole drilled with a bigger overflow

 

[viggen]

Glass or acrylic tank?

You could also drill some holes in the tank for a closed loop setup

 

[jda]

Drains less than 1.5" are a waste of time IMO. I would do at least 2.

I would do 1.5" return and split into a pair of 1" near the tank if we are talking like standard 4' head kind of application. If you are talking like basement-to-main-level, then that is a different animal.

 

[PAUL327]

The tank is 3/4 inch thick glass on the bottom. The closed loop might be the trick. Any of you guys have a good closed pattern. Tank is 54x48x24. I only have two hole in the single overflow 1 1/4 drain and a single 1 inch return. Should i drill the 1 1/4 hole bigger to a 1.5 inch drain or a two inch drain?

 

[PAUL327]

Expert reefers please chime in. What is the biggest hole for a drain that i can drill for one overflow on this 270 cube?

 

[PAUL327]

the existing drain is 1 1/4. Should i just leave it and put in a closed loop or a bunch of powerheads?

 

[klwheat]

In my 210 gallon 7' tank, there is a 2" drain drilled for closed loop. I'm not using it so its capped, but it was working for the guy I bought it from.