Return Questions - Over the back

[Markbb]

Hello All

I am going to be using both of the outlets in my megaflow equipped tank as drains so I will need to bring the return up and over the top.

With the drains being 1" and 3/4" I am figuring on about 900 GPH flow. Will a 3/4 inch return be adequate? Also, is a simple pvc return good or something more fancy like a seaswirl.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[golfish]

Mark,
The return size is all up to you. You can always slow down the pump if its going too fast. I use a 1" Sea Swirl on my system.

What size is the overflow? Sometime people have huge hole drilled in the overflow for more flow but the overflow area just isn't enough to feed the down tube.

What pump are you using for return?

 

[MeuserReef]

Hello All

I am going to be using both of the outlets in my megaflow equipped tank as drains so I will need to bring the return up and over the top.

With the drains being 1" and 3/4" I am figuring on about 900 GPH flow. Will a 3/4 inch return be adequate? Also, is a simple pvc return good or something more fancy like a seaswirl.

Thanks,
Mark

I use a MAG 12 on my 120 gallon tank and use a single 3/4" return without any issues. I have about a 5' rise to the tank and feed 2 TLF reactors, so I would guess I'm somewhere in the 800-900 GPH range and the return could handle more I'm sure.

 

[solitude127]

Mark,
What size tank is this for? 1" should be plenty for 900gph (assuming that's what you get into the tank after head loss). You might want to consider the 3/4" drain for a backup just in case the 1" gets clogged.

 

[Markbb]

Hi Golfish,

Thanks for the reply. I am using a megaflow system and it is probably 6"x9", this will drain down the 2 drains (1" and 3/4") into a basement 100gal sump. I have not figured out total head yet so selecting a return pump will be next. Perhaps asking about return size is putting the cart before the horse

 

[Markbb]

Hi Solitude,

Thanks for the response... this is a 90gal. Documentation with the megaflow said the 1" should drain about 600 gph and I was also concerned with having a backup hence the thought of using both holes as drains. If using one as a backup is it as simple as setting the riser tube higher. I am thinking of using a Hofer gurgle buster setup for the overflows.
Thanks to everyone for all these responses, it is so great for a newbie to have a resource like this.

Mark

 

[solitude127]

What pump are you planning on using? When I had a 90, I used a Eheim 1262 (which is now on my 150). You want about500 -600 into the tank after the head loss calc. That should be perfect amount for a 90 gallon. I also used a Hofer gurgle buster which worked well, but on my new tank I went with the Herbie method. I found the Herbie method to be much quieter. For either, an emergency drain is always good to have and to set it, you just set it a little higher than the water level in the overflow box. good luck and keep asking questions.

 

[golfish]

Hi Golfish,

Thanks for the reply. I am using a megaflow system and it is probably 6"x9", this will drain down the 2 drains (1" and 3/4") into a basement 100gal sump. I have not figured out total head yet so selecting a return pump will be next. Perhaps asking about return size is putting the cart before the horse

Yeah, figure the head and go from there..need to get the horse first

 

[username in use]

Whatever pump you choose, I would def put a seawirl on it. THey are way under appreciated for what they can do in terms of random flow and getting fresh water to all corners of the tank. If your pumping up from a basement, you may want to run 1" or even 1 1/2" pvc until you get to the tank and then step it down to what you need.