What size drain for my tank?

[Incredible Corals]

I need help figuring out what size drain I should have on my 50x32x32 tank. There will be one corner overflow. I will be using a Eheim 1262 w/ Sea Swirl for the return.

 

I should go with a 1

[Jon Lazar]

I would check out some of the newer overflow techniques that use multiple drains in the same overflow. One drain has a gate valve and is a full siphon, the second handles any extra flow, and a third is a safety backup. They are reported to be completely silent and safe.

[Origami]

I would check out some of the newer overflow techniques that use multiple drains in the same overflow. One drain has a gate valve and is a full siphon, the second handles any extra flow, and a third is a safety backup. They are reported to be completely silent and safe.

+1 - if you have the holes to support this. If not, you can still use two drains, merging the second and third functions.

 

Here's a link, though, that may help answer your question:

http://flexpvc.com/WaterFlowBasedOnPipeSize.shtml

 

According to the link, you can expect around 960 gph capacity from a 1" schedule 40 pipe assuming gravity flow. The Eheim 1262 delivers a max of 900 gph (with zero head pressure). (You won't be running with zero head pressure, so expect less.) So two one inch pipes, (one as the safety backup) would just cover your needs. 1-1/4" on the safety backup would give you more margin, though.

[extreme_tooth_decay]

I need help figuring out what size drain I should have on my 50x32x32 tank. There will be one corner overflow. I will be using a Eheim 1262 w/ Sea Swirl for the return.

 

I should go with a 1” or 1.5”?

 

 

1.5" if you have one out-hole, 1" if you have 2. Bigger/more if you have room is always better.

Edited June 3, 2011 by extreme_tooth_decay

[treesprite]

I have 2 holes in my 75, one 1.5" main one and a 1" that has a valve on it for finer tuning. Mine are behind a full-length overflow.

 

How do people with the multiple holes configure them? I think next time I will have to make the main one lower than the secondary one, because having them at the same level seems to be problematic.

[Incredible Corals]

The way the sump is designed I will have a refugium section on the left and a skimmer section on the right. They both will overflow to a middle chamber where the return pump will be.

 

Would two 1" drains with ball valves work? I was going to have the refugium drain at around 25% to keep the flow slow in the refugium and the skimmer section wide open.

 

The return will be hard plumbed out of the sump and up the back of the tank to the Sea Swirl.

 

What do you think?

 

Should I have a dursos standpipes on both drains?

 

If so, how big should the overflow box be (6

[GraffitiSpotCorals]

I would at least go 1.5. On my 210 I just set up I have two holes in each overflow one is a 1" the other 3/4" I am using a 1400 gal an hour return which is pushing water up 6 feet and I had to use the 3/4" as two extra drains and still I wish I had at LEAST two one inch. I am using the durso method which works okay for me.

[Incredible Corals]

I would at least go 1.5. On my 210 I just set up I have two holes in each overflow one is a 1" the other 3/4" I am using a 1400 gal an hour return which is pushing water up 6 feet and I had to use the 3/4" as two extra drains and still I wish I had at LEAST two one inch. I am using the durso method which works okay for me.

 

 

I guess it can't hurt to go bigger and I'll have the ball valves to fine tune.

 

1 x 1.5" drain with ball valve for skimmer chamber w/ Durso standpipe

1 x 1.5" drain with ball valve for refugium chamber w/ Durso standpipe

 

Am I missing anything? I have a feeling the corner overflow needs to be pretty big, maybe 8x8"?

[Incredible Corals]

Is this a good design? This guys sump is just like mine with the refugium on the left, return in the middle and skimmer on the right? Would this be a good model?

 

[Jon Lazar]

I know you're not asking about this directly, but I'm not a fan of check valves like this tank uses.

[onux20]

I know I am late but I have a 120 with 2x1.5 inch overflows.

 

Why not branch the flow for the the fuge off of the return pump? That way you can dial it to achieve the rate you want and the remaining flow goes to the tank.

 

Ron

[Incredible Corals]

I know you're not asking about this directly, but I'm not a fan of check valves like this tank uses.

 

I wasn't going to use a check valve. I don't think they are reliable enough to use them what they are designed for in a reef tank.

 

 

I know I am late but I have a 120 with 2x1.5 inch overflows.

 

Why not branch the flow for the the fuge off of the return pump? That way you can dial it to achieve the rate you want and the remaining flow goes to the tank.

 

Ron

 

I feel like it would be more efficient and nutrient rich water going to the fuge if it came from the drain and not the return.

[treesprite]

I feel like it would be more efficient and nutrient rich water going to the fuge if it came from the drain and not the return.

My tank drains into my sump then into my refugium, that way the skimmer has a chance to take out particles before they have a chance to get into the refugium.