Ideas for return outlets from OM

[nasotang]

Any one have pictures of the returns from their Oceans Motions unit into the tank?

I'm setting up a 210 (72x24x28) with an 8-way and have 4 returns on the bottom of the tank and I want 4 returns over the top. All of the ones over the top will be near the front of the tank. The ones on the bottom I think are fine but I'm not sure about the ones at the top.

Any pictures and sugguestions are appreciated.

Here's photos from a couple of days ago showing the pipes just hanging.

 

[raddogz]

Better yet why don't you give Paul from OM a call.

It's toll-free, and he can walk you all the way through the plumbing and how to achieve the flow you want in the tank.

 

[Natterjak]

I plumbed my OM 4-way according to Paul's recommendations. Basically, I have 4 returns (split from two lines) coming up from the bottom front, and they point at an angle to the top rear (towards my center overflow). These are on ports 1&3 (I have the version 3 drum, so 1&3 come on together, and alternate with 2&4).

The remaining 4 returns (also split from 2 lines from ports 2&4) come in from the back, about 3-4" above the sand bed, and shoot directly to the front, through the rockwork.

My return pump from the sump has 4 outlets that shoot straight down the back.

Hope that helps!

 

[nasotang]

Eileen- Thanks I may give Paul a call if I can't decide how to do this.

Bonnie- Thanks for the description. I didn't think of pointing the return pump nozzles down the back towards the sand. Does that blow the sand around?

I went with Pauls recommendation also with ports 3&7 at the bottom pointing towards the back and 5&6 at the bottom pointing towards the front on a version 3 drum. 1&5 (2&6)are on opposite ends and depths of the tank to try and get a circular flow.

I'm trying to figure out how to attach the ones that come over the top, that point down into the water to the tank. The 2 in the middle I can zip tie to the center bracing but I'm not sure about the 2 on the top sides. Any sugguestions?

Also I was hoping for pictures to see if people were using loclines, 90&45 degree PVC or omniflex nozzles to direct the the flow from the top.

 

[Natterjak]

Mine did a little in the beginning, but it doesn't seem to be a problem anymore. I'm only using a Mag 12 for my return (on my 180), and it's split into 4 outlets, so it's not exactly blasting out.

I had 4 holes drilled in the top bracing of my tank, so I just have the return pipes going through those. I can take pictures if that would help.

 

[Vincerama2]

My 2 way is really simple. I have hose barbs in the OM unit itself and a hoses that "T" off the OM (which is hung in the center of the tank) The actual returns are U shaped PVC that hang on the two back corners and shoot water down at an angle.

V

 

[Lordhelmet]

natterjak, could you please post some pics, I am going to be setting up a 180 with mag 12 return with an om 8 way. any ideas will help me. thanks.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Can't help you much for your flow issues, since I'm dealing with my own But looking at your picture I really hope those are in a closed loop and not the return from the sump. Only reason I say that is because if the power goes out you could potentially drain most of your tank... inevitably onto the floor.

 

[raddogz]

Siphon holes help.

I have siphon holes on both my tanks (only one has an OM unit on it) for all the returns. The way the loc-line is pointing down in my 120g it can siphon ten gallons for each return (that's 20g total going into my sump). My sump can hold a total of 50g of water (the sump is always half full).

 

[Elite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9475133#post9475133 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lordhelmet
natterjak, could you please post some pics, I am going to be setting up a 180 with mag 12 return with an om 8 way. any ideas will help me. thanks.

Upgrade?? About time man..

 

[nasotang]

I'm using a Dart on the return and a Dart on the OM, so I think if I point them down and the sand I'll get a sand storm. Nice idea though, I'll have to keep it in mind if I decide to go with a smaller return pump.

Vincerama do you have pictures of the u tube returns. I'll have mine somewhere in the middle to front of the tank and would like to hide those as much as possible. Did you use the 45/90 PVC connectors?

Yeah those returns on the closed loop. I would really hate having all 210+ gallons drain on the floor. If that ever happened I'm guessing I'll be single and homeless.

I did drill a 1/8th" syphon break on each of the returns and so far they seem to work. Anyone ever have a syphon break fail due to algae or build up?

 

[raddogz]

You could use loc-lines instead of 45 or 90 degree elbows or combinations of the above for the returns.

You could angle the return so it banks off the back panel glass or acrylic rather than point them straight down.

 

[Lordhelmet]

phong your telling me.

 

[Natterjak]

Some plumbing pictures (sorry for the wacky sizes, I didn't have time to go resize everything).

The back of the tank - the 1 1/2" pipe lines in the middle are the supply to the Dart for the closed loop; the 1" lines on the outside are the returns from the 4-way. These split into 3/4" outlets inside the tank, and point to the front:

The Dart and 4-way:

Right side of the tank, you can see two of the four returns that come up from the bottom - I basically used 45 degree elbows on these, and there's a short piece of 3/4" PVC pipe at each outlet so that I don't lose velocity due to the slightly larger diameter of the elbow versus the pipe:

This picture turned out crappy, sorry, but it shows the return line from the Mag 12 in the sump - it is a 3/4" line that feeds the 4 outlets, which are reduced to 1/2" at each outlet:

I hope that helps! If you want more pictures, let me know specifically what you'd like to see, and I can try to get close-ups of stuff.

 

[nasotang]

Thanks for posting the photos. Your set-up looks clean. Our set-ups are a little different since my tank isn't drilled for returns from the OM and I'll have nozzles that point down from the top front. I think I'll order some loc-lines and go that route.