Looking for feedback on planned return

[lastlight]

Hello,

I'm new here and planning my first aquarium. I'm having this custom built. I'm looking for last-minute opinions on this plan before I start the build...tomorrow likely.

http://www.thelastlight.net/temp/tank.jpg

Pretty basic here. I want to avoid powerheads:

- 18" wide overflow spanning entire width
- 2 x 1.5" drains (Made an educated guess as to their size)
- Return through another 1.5" hole
- Return splits to 4 loc-lines. Intend to aim the 2 near the overflow towards the opposite end/ middle of the tank. Other two to maybe aim a bit downwards, against glass maybe.

My questions:

Will my holes be large enough?

I'm going to be buying a Quiet One 3000 or 4000. 780 / 1017 gph respectively. Which is my best bet, considering head loss, and restriction of loc-line?

I intend to keep softies and maybe some lps initially. perhaps try sps at a later date.

Thanks for any and all feedback!

Brett

 

[lastlight]

bump?

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Go with the 4000. It's best to get your pump and decide the hole diameters after. The pumps manufacture should give you the recomended pipe sizes but if not just match your pipes to the intake/return sizes on the pump. Make sure you install union fittings on either side of the pump so it is easy to service later on down the road. Also put ball valves just past the unions to shut off flow while the pump is disconnected.