Drain and return sizes for tank?

[ash99]

Hi i have two 3/4 drains on my 200 gal tank i want to know is it enough for turnover rate
And my return is 3/4 in return at 4t head pressure 5 90 degree elbows and t split for two returns any suggestions if its enough for a mixed reef turnover rate???

 

[shifty51008]

You only need around 3-5x turnover yhrough the sump so 600-1000 gph is plenty.

 

[ash99]

So the two 3/4 in drains are enough for the turnover rate right

 

[shifty51008]

Yeah just barely but will work, 2- 1" drains would be better

 

[davocean]

There is a calculator on the home page that tells exactly what your drains can handle.

 

[chimmike]

You only need around 3-5x turnover yhrough the sump so 600-1000 gph is plenty.

that's really low for a 200 gallon tank, IMO.

Should push as much flow thru the sump/filtration as you possibly can.

 

[ca1ore]

3/4" drains are tight. It will be impossible to get much more than 800 gph through them. If there is a way to get them to 1" each I'd definitely do that. BTW 3-5 is fine for all tanks; as long as you are managing in tank flow with powerheads, I can see no good reason to go any higher (and no, matching flow to skimmer processing volume is NOT one).

 

[ash99]

So thats 1.6k overall gravity fed drains. Im at about 7000 gph of flow in the tank not counting the return.

 

[ash99]

Im at about 30x turnover in the tank and sump maybe 3 to 5 x

 

[davocean]

That's about where you should be on both return and flow, 30-40x turnover is good for a mixed reef.