Help With Plumbing Overhaul

Mjoyner · Sep 23, 2025

Hey everyone,

So I’m not the most savvy when it comes to aquarium plumbing, but I’m doing an overhaul and wanted to get some advice. This is my current build (reference picture):

Tank size: 55 gal
Sump: 10 gal Aqueon with custom baffles
Return pump: Nautilus DC1600
Overflow: Eshopps PF-800
Plumbing: Schedule 80, 1” for overflow and 3/4” on return, gate valve and check valve. 4 ft. vertical lift, 5x 90 degree elbows, 9 ft. head pressure.
Return nozzle: oc-Line w/ dual flare nozzles

I’m looking at replacing my sump with the Triton 20c V2 which has 2x 1” drains. My overflow has 1x 1” drain, so would it make sense to split that into 2 or should I get a new HOB overflow that has 2 drains built in? I’m limited for space with my tank so that’s why I have a somewhat smaller HOB overflow with only one drain line.

Additionally, does it make sense to have the drain line be 1” and return be 3/4”, or should I have them both equivalent?

Thanks in advance!

TX_REEF · Sep 24, 2025

I'd recommend getting a new overflow with 2 drain lines - having only one drain line is significant flood risk in the case your sole drain line gets obstructed. I am a fan of eshopps eclipse, give it a look: https://amzn.to/4gDqnrr

Mjoyner · Sep 24, 2025

TX_REEF said:
I'd recommend getting a new overflow with 2 drain lines - having only one drain line is significant flood risk in the case your sole drain line gets obstructed. I am a fan of eshopps eclipse, give it a look: https://amzn.to/4gDqnrr

Thanks for the rec - my tank isn't drilled but I'm honestly considering switching to drilled because that seems like the best bet. That's a good looking overflow, I've heard good things about it. I have gotten lucky so far with the single line but I would rather move to a safer system. And I guess it would make more sense to just get a dual drain overflow than split a single into two pipes.

I'm fine with drilling the tank (even though I have no experience with this, I have a spare tank I could practice on though), but I would have to do it while partially drained since I don't have any way to feasibly remove everything from it.