What size is the norm for return lines? 3/4" or 1"? The tank will be a 90g and I will be using vinyl tubing. I can use either size, but I am confused when using a 1" bulkhead on the tank because the largest locline fittings I can find are 3/4". I'm so not good with this stuff so if anyone can chime in and give me a quick answer that would be great!
Return Plumbing Question
- Thread starter IsaaX
- Start date
jay-cee123
New member
It would depend on your return pump.
If it is over 1500gph go with the 1"
if less then I think 3/4" would be good.
If it is over 1500gph go with the 1"
if less then I think 3/4" would be good.
DRC69
Oh Well
Are the return bulkheads 1" or 3/4"??? How many returns are there???
What kind of pump and the outlet on the pump is????
1" will give you more volume but less return pressure.
3/4" more pressure less return volume.
I use 1' off the pump into a"Y" with two(2) 3/4' returns to the tank.
What kind of pump and the outlet on the pump is????
1" will give you more volume but less return pressure.
3/4" more pressure less return volume.
I use 1' off the pump into a"Y" with two(2) 3/4' returns to the tank.
beefjerkygood
New member
I have 1" returns and use 1" ID / 1.25 OD vinyl all the way up. I too couldn't find locline that big either so I just left the bulkheads as they are with no screens. My fish and snails don't crawl in b/c of the high flow. I was worried about backsiphon and fish/critters getting sucked in if there was a power outage, but that hardly ever happens. I'm thinking of adding a battery backup for my return pump though... just in case.
Jay,
I'll be using a Eheim 1260. I only want to turn over between 2 to 5 times. I'll have at least one Tunze 6000 in a deco rock inside the tank to create the circulation. Hey, btw, when can I pick up those socks? I'm like 1 min from you!
DRC69,
There's only one return that will be in the center back and going from the replies here, it looks like I'll be ordering a 3/4" bulkhead. From the bulkhead into the display will be a 3/4" locline connector then to a 3/4" Y reducer with 1/2" outputs. The outputs will have 1.25" fan nozzles connected to them. I think this is typical?
I'll be using a Eheim 1260. I only want to turn over between 2 to 5 times. I'll have at least one Tunze 6000 in a deco rock inside the tank to create the circulation. Hey, btw, when can I pick up those socks? I'm like 1 min from you!
DRC69,
There's only one return that will be in the center back and going from the replies here, it looks like I'll be ordering a 3/4" bulkhead. From the bulkhead into the display will be a 3/4" locline connector then to a 3/4" Y reducer with 1/2" outputs. The outputs will have 1.25" fan nozzles connected to them. I think this is typical?
Yinger
Premium Member
Honestly, even with 1/2 loclines your going to get a fast trickle at most from the 1250. It doesn't really matter what size you go to. The return line is exactly what its for, returning water to the main tank and that's it unless your using it for circulation, then you would need to get a much more powerful pump. The tunze will take care of the circulation in the main display. Don't worry about the line sizes as much with such a small return pump.
edit: oops, didn't realize you're using a 1260. It really depends on what your looking to do with the return. Are you looking to use it as circulation or just to return water into the tank?
edit: oops, didn't realize you're using a 1260. It really depends on what your looking to do with the return. Are you looking to use it as circulation or just to return water into the tank?
The reason why I was thinking the 3/4" Y to two 1/2" outputs is because I could not find 3/4" fan nozzles that was less than 2.5" wide. I didn't want that big of a nozzle on the two outputs. I figured the total nozzle outputs would be 1" (2 x .5") it wouldn't cause much restriction.
Yinger,
I just want to use the return just to return water with a 2x to 5x return rate. with the 1260 I should be some where in between. I'm not concerned about using the return as means of circulation. Probably only use it for surface agitation at most. I will have a 5' head on the return.
Yinger,
I just want to use the return just to return water with a 2x to 5x return rate. with the 1260 I should be some where in between. I'm not concerned about using the return as means of circulation. Probably only use it for surface agitation at most. I will have a 5' head on the return.
jay-cee123
New member
3/4" is fine. You can probably pick up the socks tomorrow 5:30-6:30. Kinda busy today. I'll give you a buzz.
Yinger
Premium Member
you have 15x turnover in ur sump? that would just make your skimmer not as efficient as it can be or any other filtration you may have down there
as far as the point of the locline... might be a good way to prevent siphoning if you have it pointed up and a little out of the water
how many return bulkheads do you have? that will actually make a big difference in how much flow you will get
DRC69
Oh Well
All the water goes thru a 100 mic sock first. In my way of thinking it actually makes the skimmer more efficient because it receives more water and it's able to process faster. Instead of the water moving slooooower and making the skimmer work harder and rely on it to do so much of the work.
On my 90 I have a 10x turn-over. I have found the skimmer works better for me at that rate.
Just MY 2 cents worth.
For me it's all about POWER. I love pumps.
On my 90 I have a 10x turn-over. I have found the skimmer works better for me at that rate.
Just MY 2 cents worth.
For me it's all about POWER. I love pumps.
ReefMeister2
Premium Member
I've got 2,000 GPH running through my 90gallon...
The fish hold-on for dear life!
The fish hold-on for dear life!
