Overflow's question

[Giga]

My new tank in the near future is a 30 gallon tank and am using a ehiem 1250 return pump and it put about 220 with head loss and such. Is two 3/4" bulkhead drains and a 1/2" return enough for this tank?

 

[drparker]

Not sure of the question. A single 3/4 drain can handle about 300gph. If you went with a 3/4 return you'd have less head loss. IMO 220 is ok flow through your sump it could be a little higher. You'll want additional flow in the tank from power heads. Why not go with just a 1" drain and a 3/4 return?

 

[Giga]

from what I read isn't it safer to have two drains in-case one clogs?

 

[CorkPullerPHL]

I agree with the above. Your more pressing issue here is head loss. A larger return equals less shearing (Friction) and therefor a higher GPH on the return.

Having two drains doesn't help that much as they still have to balance the return. So if the system is balanced with two drains equaling the GPH of one return, then if one of the drains plugs, the other remaining drain still won't be able to handle 100% of the overflow.

Also, a wider drain is less likely to plug!

Cheers

 

[drparker]

If you've got a screen on the intake so a snail or crab can't get in it then a 1" won't clog. All the commercial reef ready systems use a one inch drain and 3/4 inch returns on tanks up to about 120g when they add a 2nd overflow and 2nd drain and return line.

 

[Giga]

I guess I'll just do a 1" drain and a 3/4" return. I'll just make sure it super secure so nothing gets in the drain.