rr tanks return size?

[myfrostymember]

ok i have a75g reef ready tank with a 1" return line the overflow says it will only max at like 600gph. So im going/was going to hook a mag 7 to the return from my fuge. problem is a mag 7 return line is around 1/2" which is alot less the the preplumbed size of 1". So how do you do that? should i reduce the preplumbed reef ready piece or let it flow thorugh the 1" pipe? Wouldnt taking the water from the mag 7's 1/2 outlet through a 1" pipe reduce my water pressure terribly bad? im only losing a few feet of head so i though the 7 would be fine but now im curious what to do with the 1" pipe.

 

[demonsp]

I would replumb with 2 outlets at 1/2 tubing. PVC real inexpensive.
And on a side note the mag 7 if submerged will raise your tank temp. SO the smaller the pump the less heat created. I use a mag 5 in my 75. The return is for your fuge or sump health only.It may help flow but only creats a water exchange and you want total water movement in your main tank. Powerheads are needed for this.
IMO that is overkill and the 1 inch piping will only slow the flow coming form the return anyway.

 

[sanababit]

plum both overflows at 1" and the return at 1" too, just use a reducer, put ball valves on overflows if you want to restrict the flow going to sump or fuge, some people may not want a lot of flow thru fuge so tee off the return pump with a ball valve back to sump to have more control off water circulation.

 

[demonsp]

The bigger the return the bigger the pump needed.Adds to electric used and amount of temp rise you will get.
I always thought it best to limit flow from fuge as to help with the nitrate exchange.As with the main tank to much flow is just as bad as to little.Also helps control micro bubbles.
But the distance from the pump to the display also plays a big part.
My brother helped me setup my plumbing before he did hi.(Later i learned mine was experimental, go figure) we used 3/4 inch with 2 returns and about 5 feet from main and it worked good but after i saw his setup with 1/2 duel returns it seemed much better. Oh well its a cheap fix. But like i said it was a mag 5.The mag 5 raised my temp by 2 degrees in my 75/Imguessing a 3 to 4 degree raise.
The way a approach my tank is all about control.The more i have the better the system will be.

To Each His Own.

 

[sanababit]

the thing here is the bigger the diameter of the pipe is the pump will be more efficient thus not overheat, the smaller the diameter the harder the pump has to push water thru because of the flow beign restricted.

well anyways if he puts ball valves he can always control flow thru sump and fuge

 

[Akronviper]

I'm up sizing my lines 1/4" for each on my 75 rr (1 1/4" supply and 1" return) to help maximize the flow. The mag pumps to get the rated return flow recommend using a 1 1/2" return. As sanababit stated the bigger the line the more flow you will receive and the less the pump works ex.. lower wattage consumed and less heat. I would go at least 1" on your return just for the pumps sake.

 

[sjm817]

A RR tank usually has a 1" drain, and a 3/4" return. In any case, the Mag7 is fine (too noisy IME), but the size is good for that size tank. I'd use 3/4" minimum, better off with 1".

 

[bkwudzjeep]

I have read that you want to use twice the output size on Mag pumps. So a 1/2" return would require 1" plumbing for optimum performance.
Run an wide a pipe as you can for as long as you can before it must be brought down (i.e. at the bulkhead)

 

[ljosh]

Doesn't a pump use more wattage when it is running faster?

 

[sjm817]

When a pump is less restricted (larger plumbing), it will pump more water, use more electricity to do so.