plumbing

[pounder]

I am setting up a 120 gallon reef tank and am starting to think about plumbing. I have purchased 3/4" pvc piping for the return side. I have been reading about people using 1.5". What size are people using? :?:

 

[Anonymous]

.... depends on your flow rate....

 

[Anonymous]

I think people have gotten into the 1.5 sizes because thats what the popular ampmaster pump uses.

 

[speck]

Seven Ephors said

.... depends on your flow rate....

Also depends on the number of return outlets. The more outlets you have, the smaller the pipe can be.

 

[pounder]

flow rate is 1200 gph

 

[texman]

I would recommend that you go bigger than 3/4" Although 3/4" pipe will not restrict your flow too much if you have a straight shot, the more connections you use, the more your flow will be restricted. Furthermore, with time, your pipes will start growing all kinds of stuff on the inside which will further restrict flow. The price difference between 3/4" and 1" for instance is minimal. I forgot all that I learned about cross sectional area versus friction and flow rate, however you are probably doubling the resistance using 3/4 inch pipe versus 1". I currently use all 1" pipe and am regretting it in some areas where I have very little access to the plumbing. I should have gone bigger!

 

[wasabi]

i set up a double closed loop on independent pump's. i used the velocity t4-s they have about 1200 gph at 3 feet of head,and 1 inch pipe worked out the best. i used all reinforced flexible pvc and there's very little resistance.