Overflow drain & return sizes

[MarlinHooker]

I'm looking to buy a 150 gal tank which has 2 6"x6 "corner overflows. The STD from the company is 1" drains & 3/4" returns. My LFS recommends going to 1.5" drains & 1" returns.

What are the pros & cons for going with the larger sizes? thanks

 

[noboddi]

A one inch drain support 3-400 GPH and a 1.5" drain supports 700 GPH flow. Smaller drains are noiser..

Some testing results can be found here

http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-mag...ine-aquarium/july-2009/aquarium-bulkhead.aspx

 

[mfinn]

Smaller drains can get plugged easier.

 

[das75]

no cons for going bigger other than they take up more space and a very slight cost increase in material.

You'll need to decide how much flow you want through your sump to see if bigger required. Some people go for a low turn over (~3x, basically the gph rating of the skimmer or skimmer fed pump if used) to having the return pump factored into contributing to the display turn over (side I'm on).

For the standpipe/drain type you can get Dursos, Stockmans, HGBs fairly quiet but since they draw air with the water, some noise and gurgling. Silent look into the classic Herbie.

 

[MarlinHooker]

Excellant! Thanks