Should I be worried?

[Decker16]

I have a 300 gallon with a drain bulkhead diameter of 1.5" and a return bulkhead of 1" and I 2 overflow boxes...

My concern is this is it going to work ? can I make the return work for the turnover I need. I am doing a closed loop on the back with a super dart gold. I really dont want to supplement powerheads unless I have to. Bc my tank is closed except for 3 openings on the tops and the overflow boxes.

What is the MAXIMUM GPH pump I could get away with? What would you run? Is it going to work or am I SOL?

Thanks

Alexander

 

[Paulairduck]

does the tank have two overflow boxes (with 1.5" drain and 1" return)

so that would be 2 drains and 2 returns

 

[Decker16]

Yes exactly !

 

[chimmike]

you can always modify to do a full beananimal drain, and the 1.5" full siphon should be a lot of flow along with the open drain.

 

[Decker16]

I just don't want to burst the 1" return pipe...

 

[HighlandReef]

I would be surprised if it bursts
I have a askoll 4200 gph pump feeding a manifold that feeds my sro 5000 skimmer, 210'display, 30 breeder frag tank and everything drains back into my sump, no issues on mine
I am assuming your going to hard pipe it with PVC or use something like spaflex hose?

 

[chimmike]

I just don't want to burst the 1" return pipe...

you're not gonna burst that pipe. I can promise you that. What I'd be concerned with is the drains moving a sufficient amount out of the DT and down to your sup. A pair of dursos won't do that. You'd have to dial that pump WAY back.

 

[Decker16]

I am running a pair of dursos at 1.5"...so get a pump rated at like 4000gph and just have a ball
Valve on the output to control the ammount of water being returned ?

 

[Decker16]

I am assuming your going to hard pipe it with PVC or use something like spaflex hose?

Yes I am going to hard plumb it

 

[chimmike]

I am running a pair of dursos at 1.5"...so get a pump rated at like 4000gph and just have a ball
Valve on the output to control the ammount of water being returned ?

you don't need a pump with even half that flow if you're running two dursos.

IIRC 1.5" dursos will be something like 600gph. On a tank that large, you definitely want more than that.

I hope unclejim chimes in on this one.

 

[Decker16]

So do I do just a straight pipe ?

Or do I put a 2" Durso's and connect it to my 1.5"

I really don't know what to do... I have all of my equipment (halides, Skimmer, Closed loop and pump Dry Rock Sump/fuge (approx 120g)) All I need is to figure out my return and what pump I need.

Goal: Heavy SPS

 

[chimmike]

Brother, I'm suggesting you find a way to do the beananimal overflow, using 1.5" drains. www.beananimal.com for his website. Look under projects and read up on the safe, silent overflow system. You could probably make use of the two holes you've already got, and maybe have a third drilled.

the 1.5" full siphon flows something like over 1500gph easily, plus any excess is handled by a durso style open overflow. ALSO there's an emergency overflow that is a siphon in the case of a flood or something. Anyway, read up on that page. If you can find a way to do it, DO IT!

www.glass-holes.com also sells drill bits should you decide to drill yourself (which is what I'm doing saturday!)

 

[Decker16]

My tank is acrylic forgot to add that

That is going to be hard bc I dont have an open lid I have 3 section openings in the center...

Do you think adding an extra bulkhead on the back of each overflow with a 90 or something ?

 

[Decker16]

Would connecting my closed loop to my sump be an idea even if it drains right into the pump chamber and have a small return in addition to my loop?

 

[Decker16]

So do I put a 2400 pump on my return

Then use like 2 koralia 8 plus my reflo super dart gold for my turnover ?

 

[Decker16]

Thanks Guys for all your help

I am going with a 2400 gph pump and going to dial it down as needed.

 

[chimmike]

Would connecting my closed loop to my sump be an idea even if it drains right into the pump chamber and have a small return in addition to my loop?

that defeats the purpose of a closed loop. Intake and returns for the closed loop should be in the display itself.

If you have acrylic it is very easy to drill and should not be a problem to drill and add another bulkhead. Or even have a new acrylic overflow box made to fit something like the beananimal.