dual drain and dual return plumbing

[steallife904]

Figured this would be a good spot to put this since most larger tanks have dual drains and returns.... Can anyone with this kind of settup and used pvc to hard plumb the system show some pics of how you plumbed the tank? If not pics any advice will work as well. i am planning the plumbing on my new tank with dual drains (1in) and dual returns (3/4) and i want to hard plumb this tank but just trying to figure out best way to do it. For example.... best way to splice together the return lines so i dont end up with to much flow on one side (though about valves but have heard storys of them failing and leaking and it has me nervous).

 

[northernreefe]

Just need to make the return lines are equal in length and diameter and the flow will be split naturally.

 

[steallife904]

i have an idea how to do this. In my design though i do not have any ball/gate valves. Are valves a must have or can i hard plumb without them? I am running durso drains so dont need them for the drain. Do i need to add valves anywhere or no need?

 

[ghellin]

Here is my 180.

 

[ghellin]

I am a fan of valves in your return plumbing. I run a Fluval SP4 and I had to dial back the pump as it moves a lot of water. Plus a manifold like above is great for reactors and such.

 

[steallife904]

My return pump is a reef octopus dc5500 so i have the ability to dial it up and down but i guess i cant do this on each return line. So you think i should at least add a valve on each return? Should i worry about the valves leaking? I only worry about this because i have heard of people saying the valve failed and started to leak.

 

[ghellin]

I have never heard of a valve leaking if you glue/seal it properly. Yes I would recommend valves on the return. Plan for failures, it's a good practice. So say your return pump goes out one night. And the only pump you can find is a mag18 which would be too powerful for your setup, if you have valves it will work just fine you can just throttle it back. If you don't, you may be stuck.

 

[cdjim]

Had single control on my return but have since put two in place

 

[Dmorty217]

What kind of pump do you plan on using? My overflows will be all used as drains with 4 returns coming backing into the tank via the back wall. Won't be using any valves at all