Return lines

[Sgt Jonny Cat]

Good morning everyone, now that I have my drain plumbing questions answered, I'm moving on to my return. I plan on using a Jebao/Jecod DC 12000 return on my 150 gallon tank. I want to run a manifold as well. I think this should be enough power for what I need. I bought the tank off Craigslist, and it came with 1" PVC return lines. They seem very small to me. Is this the size return lines I should be using when I build my tank? The holes in the bottom of the tank look like 1.5" But I'm not sure at this point. Thanks guys...

 

[mcgyvr]

In general its best to use the maximum size piping that a pump can support..
For the DC12000 I believe thats 1.5" PVC..
1" is typically capable of <1000GPH
The pump is capable of 3000+

I personally would use 1.5" coming off the pump and split to 2 x 1" returns after the manifold section..

Your tank of 150 gallons typically needs about 450-1500GPH of flow through the sump.. (3-10x.. 10x being for a Triton recommended system.. typically 3-5x is plenty)

 

[Sgt Jonny Cat]

Thanks, you confirmed what I Thought that 1" was too small.

 

[Thornbreaker]

I'm using 1" bulkheads and return lines on my 150. I have the DC12000 as well.

I don't run it at full power, and it should be plenty of power if you add a manifold to get up to 3 to 5x through your sump.

If your bulkheads are 1.5" you might as well roll with that.

 

[Sgt Jonny Cat]

I'm using 1" bulkheads and return lines on my 150. I have the DC12000 as well.

I don't run it at full power, and it should be plenty of power if you add a manifold to get up to 3 to 5x through your sump.

If your bulkheads are 1.5" you might as well roll with that.

Great thanks. What kind of drain system do you sue if you don't mind me asking? Herbie? Bean? Durso etc

 

[Thornbreaker]

Herbie. I've got 3 bulkheads, so return, e drain and main drain.

All 1" bulkheads. Returns currently get reduced to 3/4" on each end, but I'll probably upgrade that as I ordered some 1" loc line.

Unions are underneath each bulkhead, and my return is currently just tubing from the pump to a barb on the return line. This will allow me to upgrade down the road pretty easily to do a manifold, flex pvc or whatever else if I decide to. Tank is currently cycling and I've got 2 clowns in QT ready to hop in as soon as its ready.

I've also got a PP-15 wavepump inside the tank for the extra flow. It's a bit noisy, but works fine so far.

 

[Sgt Jonny Cat]

In general its best to use the maximum size piping that a pump can support..
For the DC12000 I believe thats 1.5" PVC..
1" is typically capable of <1000GPH
The pump is capable of 3000+

I personally would use 1.5" coming off the pump and split to 2 x 1" returns after the manifold section..

Your tank of 150 gallons typically needs about 450-1500GPH of flow through the sump.. (3-10x.. 10x being for a Triton recommended system.. typically 3-5x is plenty)

I'm thinking my drain should be larger than my return lines. I think 1 1/4 inch return line, and going with 1.5 inch drain to handle the water.

I also have a dual overflow so I will be going with a siphon and return in one overflow and siphon and back up drain in the other overflow. The 1.5 inch drains should be able to handle the water volume.