Plumbing on 60 Cube Question

[Chicagoreef2016]

For the Return line from the sump, I read that a lot of people suggest using 3/4 tube or pipe. My bulkhead that came with the Mainland tank is 1 1/4 inch; rather than using a reducing coupler down to 3/4, why don't I just use the existing width? Will the larger width of the return line have any negative impacts?

 

[username in use]

What pump are you considering using and what will the head height be? Under the tank or in the basement or in another room?

 

[Chicagoreef2016]

I have a Jebao DC5000 return pump, which has variable speed control. I tried to buy a little more than I probably needed on the pump in the event I want to upgrade at some point. The sump, Eshopps R-100, will be on the other side of the wall, almost on the ground. So roughly 3-4 feet of tube/pipe max distance, 3 foot drop from the bulkhead coming from the bottom of the tank to the return pump.

 

[CafeReef]

The DC5000 should have come with multiple barbed fittings. I have the DCT6000 and I used the 3/4" barbed fitting off the pump. I have about 18" of clear tubing going to a hard line up to my tank.

 

[Greybeard]

If you look close, I suspect that your Marineland tank has a 1" bulkhead. For some reason, they provide 1" to 1.5" adapters, and 1.5" plumbing. My Marineland 60g cube has 2x 1" bulkheads.

Using oversized return lines won't reduce flow, in fact, flow will be slightly higher, but it will reduce pressure, unless you constrict the outlet. Most Marineland tanks come with a 3/4" loc line 'Y', with either round or fan shaped outlets.

I'm using a 4000 lph Ehiem return pump, full blast, and it's all my overflow (Marineland 'Corner Flo') can handle.

You might take a look at my build thread... I have the same tank, and the same sump, though the overall setup is a bit different. Might give you some ideas.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2516581&highlight=60g+cube

 

[Chicagoreef2016]

Thx for the pics, definitely helps. I measured my bulkheads that came with the rank and the width is 1 1/4, unless I am measuring wrong. I will just need to put a reducer coupler from the bulkhead To go from 1 1/4 down to 3/4. The reduced pressure answer was what I was interested in, so thx. I will check out your thread as well.

 

[Wazzel]

The 1 1/4" sounds not right. My marine land 60 cube came with 1" bulkheads. The stand pipe is 1 1/4", but it reduces to 1" at the bottom.

 

[Chicagoreef2016]

Greybeard, why did you put another line into your refugium? Were you not getting enough flow through the sump naturally?

 

[dt204]

Is it a slip/slip or thread/thread bulkhead? Maybe you're measuring the external threads (only to be used for locking nut), instead of the inside diameter? Just a thought

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[Chicagoreef2016]

Thx for all responses, apparently I need to work on my plumbing license. I confirmed with my lfs that it is indeed a 1", the pictures that were posted will help as I look to start and finish the plumbing here in the coming weeks.

 

[Greybeard]

I measured my bulkheads that came with the rank and the width is 1 1/4, unless I am measuring wrong.

1" PVC is 1" ID (Inside Diameter). Outside is 1.315... I'm pretty sure that's a 1" pipe.

 

[Greybeard]

Greybeard, why did you put another line into your refugium? Were you not getting enough flow through the sump naturally?

Nope. I re-plumbed the system to use a Herbie style drain, with an external return line. Mainly to quiet it down. Worked, too. The 2nd drain, or 'trickle' part of the Herbie system needed to get to the sump somehow, and since my R-100 has a single 1" bulkhead for the drain line, it couldn't go there... it comes straight down from the bulkhead to the refugeum compartment. When operating properly, there's a very small trickle of water passing through that tube. Doesn't really impact flow that much.

 

[CafeReef]

Thx for the pics, definitely helps. I measured my bulkheads that came with the rank and the width is 1 1/4, unless I am measuring wrong. I will just need to put a reducer coupler from the bulkhead To go from 1 1/4 down to 3/4. The reduced pressure answer was what I was interested in, so thx. I will check out your thread as well.

ahhhhh sorry, I missread your post. I thought you were talking about the fitting on your DC5000, not the bulkhead....Sorry.

 

[Fate]

Using oversized return lines won't reduce flow, in fact, flow will be slightly higher, but it will reduce pressure, unless you constrict the outlet.

Actually it will reduce flow, less pressure you have less flow you're going to get

 

[Greybeard]

Actually it will reduce flow, less pressure you have less flow you're going to get

How do you figure? Same pump, producing a flow of X gallons per hour, larger volume pipe, less pressure, less speed, same flow. Restrict to a smaller pipe, increase speed, increase pressure, reduce flow.

 

[dt204]

I believe greybeard is right. Here is an example.

The Garden Hose:**With a regular spray nozzle on a regular garden hose you will have high pressure when the nozzle is half-closed, creating a high pressure jet with higher velocity. Open that same nozzle all the way and observe much more flow, but far less pressure. Higher flow = more friction loss = less pressure

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[roosterchef]

Greybeard is right. Good head pressure calculators take pipe diameter into account because smaller pipe increases friction relative to water volume, so bigger pipe is actually slightly more flow all else equal. Less head pressure.

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