Drain sizes

[Deepseabeauti]

Looking for advise on plumbing size for my 300DD build. Im going to run a mod herbi overflow from both corner over flows and have the returns over the top. The tank is going to drain down from the 1st floor to my basement where my sump and refugium is.
I'm seeking advise on what size pipe I should use, and whether or not I should tie the two drains together at some point. Any help would be great.

 

[skene]

I would not recommend draining to a single as you may introduce a lot of noise into your plumbing. IMO keep the drain down to a max of whatever the initial plumbed drain is sized at whether it be 1.25-1.75" at max. The larger the drain the more air will be introduced to it... this will give you the dreaded gurgling noises.

 

[Deepseabeauti]

Well the Herbi style will run at full siphon so there should be little to no air being introduced. This is also why I'm trying to figure out what size drain to use. even a single 1.50" PVC will drain a huggggeee amount at full siphon, not to mention having that water drain almost 14'. Gravity is going to be pulling that water down even faster.

 

[rkaragozler]

In a deep dimension you have 2-1" drains, and 2-3/4" returns.
you can tie the 2 1" drains together as long as you use 2" pvc, and it has to be tied in with a wye.
1 of the 3/4" lines will be your emergency, or both if you like.
what i did with a buddies tank was to use 1 of the 3/4" return lines as a feed for electric to the top of the tank.
Keep in mind that the 2-1" drains will only be able to handle 1200 gph, so make sure that you do not use a very strong pump.
Since the sump will be in the basement make sure you have someone with you for the first couple of hours when setting up the gate valves.

 

[Deepseabeauti]

Well the bulkheads are bigger then the 1" drain tubes it comes with stock. I want to replace them with 1-1/2" main drains to run full siphon and replace the 3/4" with 1" for the emergency drains. That should give me almost 3000 GPH at full siphon for just one pipe. Times two thats 6,000 GPH. Ill control it with gate valves so the flow is right where I need it.

I like the idea you had with running the electric through one of the returns. I'm going to run both as emergency's though just in case something happens in one overflow i have the security in both.

Im going to be running a Reeflow baracuda I bought as my main return. Does 6,000 GPH drain seam like too much? I plan on running the drain to a manifold and straight into my skimmer so I dont need a pump, into my sump and seperate fuge, as well as into my GFO and carbon reactors.

I found this chart searching the web.

 

[rkaragozler]

Did you check to see if the bigger bulkheads will fit the predrilled holes?
The Barracuda does 4500 gph at 0 feet of head, and a max head of 18 feet,
If your basement ceiling height is at 7 feet and the top of the tank is 5 feet of the floor. that 12 feet of head hight, without any elbows and calculations made for the pvc pipe. I think you might have to go with a high pressure pump.
In order for you to get 6000gph an hour for drains you would need 2-2" drains.
And I think that would sound like Niagra Falls.

 

[Deepseabeauti]

Lol, Niagra falls is prob not a good idea. But I actually have the hybrid pump so I have the hammerhead impeller for it as well. That's 6000 Gph at 0 head. can go up to 23'.

Accourding to that chart from BeanAnimal schedual 40 1.5" PVC with a 12' drop flows 2977 GPH. That's one pipe straight down as you said. If I use two that's almost 6000 GPH. Am I reading the chart wrong? None the less I do agree with you that 6000 GPH is a bit excessive. I just don't want to have to use several different sizes of pipe. and 1.5 is a fairly common size so its not excessively expensive.

The bulk heads that are drilled a must larger then the pipe size in there. They have 4 hols of the same size but use bushings to reduce them to the 1"and 3/4" respectively. I'm not sure of the exact size I will check when I get home.

 

[rkaragozler]

I always use this site to determine flow ratings. and I use the 6f/s flow rating to be on the safe side.
http://flexpvc.com/WaterFlowBasedOnPipeSize.shtml

 

[Deepseabeauti]

So maybe an 1-1/4" pipe is more what I should run with a 1" emergency drain? For the most part the drain is going to make two 45 bends to come towards the middle of the tank, then through the floor then two 90s to get it to drop right into the sump.

That's a great chart!

 

[rkaragozler]

instead of using the 90's, downstairs use 45's.
this will yeild less restriction.
If you can fit a 1 1/2" bulkhead into the predrilled holes. I would use 1 1/2" pipe, instead of 1 1/4". It will make it even quiter.

 

[Deepseabeauti]

What size pipe do you suggest for the return section. Off the pump is 1.5"

 

[rkaragozler]

I would run the 1 1/2" as high as you can to the dt and than reduce down to what you need.

 

[Deepseabeauti]

I was reading your thread and saw your using your 125 as your refugium. Did you baffle it? Or just run it open like a normal tank? How does the water enter and exit? I was thinking of using my 55g as mine, and my 29 as a sump till I find a better use. Frag tank perhaps?

 

[rkaragozler]

Lol, the 120 started as a fuge, and now its another reef. The tank is feed of a manifold and drains back into my sump.
Its a standard 120 RR. 48x24x24.
I don't think the 29 will be enough for yoto use as a sump.
Your dt is 300 gallons, I normaly calculate 20% drain down, in your case it would be 60 gallons. I know the way I calculate is very, very high, but better safe than sorry.
Since you said its going to be in the basement, go as big as you can.

 

[Deepseabeauti]

So maybe I should flip flop the 55 for the sump, and the 29 for the fuge?
Im about to finally place my order with BRS and need to spend another $39 to get free shipping. I figured I would spend it on plumbing but I have no idea what the best way to plumb everything is going to be.

You already know how I am going to get the wanter down to the basement, but how should I connect the two tanks (sump and fuge) should I put flexible tubing between the pump and the tank bulkheads for strain relief and vibration dampening? Any help or suggestions would be great.

 

[rkaragozler]

that sounds like a better idea, flipping the tanks, just make sure the skimmer will fit in it.
as far as putting the fuge and sump together. you can build a table higher than the sump for the fuge and have it gravity feed, using 1" bulkhead. and supply it with 3/4" hose or pvc.

 

[Deepseabeauti]

since the pump is 1.25 inlet would you recommend using the same size bulk head?

 

[rkaragozler]

NO. if you put a ball valve and union on a 1 1/4" bulk head, the inside dimension would be smaller, causing calvatation.
I would go with 1 1/2" and reduce it to 1 1/4 at the inlet of the pump and not before

 

[MysticalKnight]

i know im a bit late on this thread but im pretty sure that bean's chart indicates 2977 on 1.5" sch 40 pvc at 12 inches not 12 feet.....