75 gallon plumbing help needed

[Virtual Balboa]

I'm in the process of getting everything I need to set up a 75 gallon reef. I have an undrilled tank and I bought a synergy reef shadow overflow. I also just ordered a trigger systems sapphire 34 sump. Since the overflow is made to use 1.5" plumbing and the sump I ordered has 1" inputs for the drain lines I am planning on using reducers in the overflow and running 3, 1" pipes to my sump. I haven't drilled the tank yet because I'm waiting on a drill bit for the overflow. My initial plan was to drill the tank for 2, 3/4" return lines as well. My question is will this setup give me enough flow through my sump? Are 3/4 return lines going to be big enough? Any advice would be great.

 

[RobZilla04]

For a 75g three 1" overflow pipes won't increase the volume if you still have a single 1.5" down tube in the overflow section. You could use the existing 1.5" down tube and reduce to 1" so it will mate with the sump & add an additional overflow down tube, drill another overflow hole in the tank and sump, thus plumbing two individual overflows. I still think that is over kill for a 75. Keep in mind the flow inside the tank is considered turn over because of all the natural filtration (live rock & substrate).

I'm not a plumbing genius by any means, but I do subscribe to keeping things simple and efficient.

 

[ericarenee]

I would drill out the sump to accommodate the over flow box not reduce the holes in the tank , As far as returns i like to run them over the top of the tank and you only need 1 1/2 in return from the pump.. but of curse the return size should be match at the max recommended are larger for your return pump..

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Double check to see if the hole in the sump can be made larger before delivery.
That is the way to go.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

I would drill out the sump to accommodate the over flow box not reduce the holes in the tank , As far as returns i like to run them over the top of the tank and you only need 1 1/2 in return from the pump.. but of curse the return size should be match at the max recommended are larger for your return pump..

I'm a little confused by your response. The overflow box uses (2) 1 1/2" bulkheads to connect it to the tank. So the tank would be drilled for that. Exiting the overflow box are (3) 1 1/2" outputs for a bean animal type setup. The way I understand it is that 1 1/2" bulkheads would provide way more flow than I'd ever need going through a 75 gallon tank. So if I install a gate valve on the full siphon line it'd have to be almost all the way closed. So I wanted to take the 3 lines exiting the box and reduce them to 1" pipes which would also work with the sump because the sump has (2) 1" bulkheads for the drains and I'd have the emergency drain pointed into another part of the sump. Drilling the sump is not an option. I'm wondering would a 1" full siphon pipe provide enough flow through the sump?

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Better explanation this time, and now I have to agree with you.
As for the return - go with whatever the pump return size is.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

Better explanation this time, and now I have to agree with you.
As for the return - go with whatever the pump return size is.

I'd like to drill the tank for 2 return lines. Then use line loc inside the tank to point the return lines wherever I need flow going. What sized plumbing should I use for the return lines? Would 3/4" pipes exiting the return pump be big enough? Too big? I still have to pick out the return pump but I'm planning on getting a DC one that would be adjustable. Probably rated for more flow so I can use it to feed other things like a media reactor.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

DC pumps usually have large return sizes, reduce @ the last possible place.
Another thing to consider is they do not handle back pressure well.
I would look @ the Fluval SP Series ac pump.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

DC pumps usually have large return sizes, reduce @ the last possible place.
Another thing to consider is they do not handle back pressure well.
I would look @ the Fluval SP Series ac pump.

Thanks I will.

 

[ericarenee]

I'm a little confused by your response. The overflow box uses (2) 1 1/2" bulkheads to connect it to the tank. So the tank would be drilled for that. Exiting the overflow box are (3) 1 1/2" outputs for a bean animal type setup. The way I understand it is that 1 1/2" bulkheads would provide way more flow than I'd ever need going through a 75 gallon tank. So if I install a gate valve on the full siphon line it'd have to be almost all the way closed. So I wanted to take the 3 lines exiting the box and reduce them to 1" pipes which would also work with the sump because the sump has (2) 1" bulkheads for the drains and I'd have the emergency drain pointed into another part of the sump. Drilling the sump is not an option. I'm wondering would a 1" full siphon pipe provide enough flow through the sump?

OK.

Drill the tank holes to match the over flow box you get.. 1 1/2 Run 1 1/2 plumbing to the sump. YES you will need a gate valve on the main siphon drain.

Since you say the SUMP ONLY SUPPORTS 1 INCH Bulkheads Drill out the plate on the SUMP Do not REDUCE THE Plumbing size anywhere ... Drill out what is needed to accommodate

 

[Virtual Balboa]

OK.

Drill the tank holes to match the over flow box you get.. 1 1/2 Run 1 1/2 plumbing to the sump. YES you will need a gate valve on the main siphon drain.

Since you say the SUMP ONLY SUPPORTS 1 INCH Bulkheads Drill out the plate on the SUMP Do not REDUCE THE Plumbing size anywhere ... Drill out what is needed to accommodate

Thank you that was very clear. I don't think I'd keep the sump I bought if I need to drill it. I haven't actually received it yet. What is the reason for not reducing down to 1" pipes?

 

[Virtual Balboa]

My apologies ericarenee. When I saw the two posts that were added when I woke up I thought the were both from you. You and the person above you have similar photos and at a glance on my phone I thought both posts were the same person suggesting I do two different things. That's why I was confused!

 

[ICE JUICE]

I had 1" drains and 3/4 returns on my 75 but it was herbie and it ran fine. I didn't use a dc pump, I used a eheim compact 5000+. I don't see a problem reducing the 1 1/2" down to 1" and the 3/4 loc line will be fine. it my be a picture of my plumbing in profile.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

I had 1" drains and 3/4 returns on my 75 but it was herbie and it ran fine. I didn't use a dc pump, I used a eheim compact 5000+. I don't see a problem reducing the 1 1/2" down to 1" and the 3/4 loc line will be fine. it my be a picture of my plumbing in profile.

I just looked at your photos. I only saw two pics and a lot of addresses that look like links to photobucket. Is your tank drilled for 3/4 bulkheads for the return lines?

 

[ericarenee]

Thank you that was very clear. I don't think I'd keep the sump I bought if I need to drill it. I haven't actually received it yet. What is the reason for not reducing down to 1" pipes?

It just makes no sense to me at all why you would want to restrict or reduce a Drain line other then few bucks in cost of the pvc pipe itself..
As far as the 1 inch drain drops in the sump i am assuming its a plate with bulkheads and barb fittings.. Just toss that aside and let your 1 1/2 plumbing drop into the socks are pre chamber directly.. I am assuming this without seeing your sump.If not call them and ask for a plate to fit 1 1/2 inch

You for sure do NOT Want to reduce the drains at the SUMP and end up having back pressure..

So you actually can reduce the bulkhead at the tank BUT WHY???
The more water that can flow the bigger the pump you can use the less noise you will have to contend with
The reasons not to reduce way out weight any reason to reduce..

Sorry for not making this clear... My Drains are 2 inch but my tank is mUCH Larger and my pumps as well...

Good Luck I think you got this

 

[Virtual Balboa]

It just makes no sense to me at all why you would want to restrict or reduce a Drain line other then few bucks in cost of the pvc pipe itself..
As far as the 1 inch drain drops in the sump i am assuming its a plate with bulkheads and barb fittings.. Just toss that aside and let your 1 1/2 plumbing drop into the socks are pre chamber directly.. I am assuming this without seeing your sump.If not call them and ask for a plate to fit 1 1/2 inch

You for sure do NOT Want to reduce the drains at the SUMP and end up having back pressure..

So you actually can reduce the bulkhead at the tank BUT WHY???
The more water that can flow the bigger the pump you can use the less noise you will have to contend with
The reasons not to reduce way out weight any reason to reduce..

Sorry for not making this clear... My Drains are 2 inch but my tank is mUCH Larger and my pumps as well...

Good Luck I think you got this

The whole top portion of the sump is one acrylic piece with 2 holes cutout for 1" drain lines. There is a cover that goes over the filter sock area but the sump isn't designed for the drains to go there. All you have to do is search Trigger Systems Sapphire 34 to see what I'm talking about. The money saving on all the fittings I need to run 1" vs 1.5" pipe would be nice but that's not the issue. The issue is the sump and overflow box having different drain sizes. I mentioned the name of both parts in my original post so that whoever comments could look at what I'm talking about.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

I still have the option of not going with the sump I ordered. I can return it. I'm trying to decide what I want to do.

 

[ericarenee]

OUCH That price for something to get all dirty and nasty..

My Sump is a 75 gallon tank


You do not need all that fancy stuff in my opinion.. If i need to run filter padd i put it under the baffle right before the pump. Detritus will settle in the middle section and i vacuum it out

ohh and it did not cost 500.00

 

[Virtual Balboa]

View attachment 364208OUCH That price for something to get all dirty and nasty..

My Sump is a 75 gallon tank


You do not need all that fancy stuff in my opinion.. If i need to run filter padd i put it under the baffle right before the pump. Detritus will settle in the middle section and i vacuum it out

ohh and it did not cost 500.00

I didn't pay $500. What difference does it make anyway??? The sump will be visible so I intend to keep it clean. I'm a member of this forum so I can ask for advice, learn, help others, and I always try to be as courteous as possible. I might be wrong but I'm not feeling like I'm getting the same attitude from you. Sorry if I said something that rubbed you the wrong way. Geez

 

[ericarenee]

I didn't pay $500. What difference does it make anyway??? The sump will be visible so I intend to keep it clean. I'm a member of this forum so I can ask for advice, learn, help others, and I always try to be as courteous as possible. I might be wrong but I'm not feeling like I'm getting the same attitude from you. Sorry if I said something that rubbed you the wrong way. Geez

no Attitude at all

I was just saying i would not pay that for a sump. My Search brought me to a site selling them for 450.xx . Was not giving you attitude there are many on here who have those custom built sumps .I was just making a point that in the end its just a sump a place for your equipment...

My comment came from you saying you do not have to keep the sump...Cost of the sump has nothing to do with it.