L2 vectra

[kenandmoose2]

I putting together a 240g reef and I'm using a vectra L1 as my return pump... the pump comes with the blue fittings that are unions. The blue fittings are 1 1/2in suction and 1in discharge.

I also bought the screw on pvc slip fittings for the pump. They have a 2in suction and a 1 1/2 discharge.

I had planned on running 1 in pipe from the pump to the tank but now I'm wondering if it would be worth going 1 1/2 in pipe up to the 1 in t. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this or reason to go one way or the other??

 

[David Cher]

L2 ? wow . never seen it on the ecotech web site. new product out there ?

 

[justingraham]

I'm sure he means l1

 

[kenandmoose2]

Yes I meant L1 thanks [emoji6]

 

[gashunk]

not to get off topic but dang a l1 is alittle over kill i mean you coulda got the m1 lol unless of course you got a amazing deal on it then why not but back to the main topic i dont see why it would hurt going larger to smaller pipping i know for my m1 i just stuck with the .75 and i still getting great flow thru it

 

[kenandmoose2]

No deal. I am running a closed loop system on this tank and wanted to do the system with no powerheads. The closed loop pump is a dolhpin 6250 and should provide plenty of flow. I'll probably just stick with the original plan because I have all of the stuff already. And I'm sick of working with 1 1/2 pipe lol
Thanks for the input

 

[mcarroll]

not to get off topic but dang a l1 is alittle over kill i mean you coulda got the m1 lol unless of course you got a amazing deal on it then why not but back to the main topic i dont see why it would hurt going larger to smaller pipping i know for my m1 i just stuck with the .75 and i still getting great flow thru it

No deal. I am running a closed loop system on this tank and wanted to do the system with no powerheads. The closed loop pump is a dolhpin 6250 and should provide plenty of flow. I'll probably just stick with the original plan because I have all of the stuff already. And I'm sick of working with 1 1/2 pipe lol
Thanks for the input

If the vectra isn't for the closed loop, I don't understand this reply. If you aren't using your return for additional flow then a very small pump could theoretically have worked in place of the vectra. I think that's what gashunk was pointing out or curious about. (Me too. ;))

 

[kenandmoose2]

The tank is 8 feet long with the closed loop returns are on the ends. The sump return is in the middle of the tank. The l1 is the sump return pump which will be the source of flow for the center of the tank. This seemed like a simple question but I have made it super confusing so sorry for that and I'll get it figured out.

Thanks [emoji111]

 

[mcarroll]

Well, to your original question then (use-cases count!) I'd use the largest plumbing you can, all the way through the system. Bigger plumbing = more flow 100% of the time and that truth scales to as big as you'd want to go, as friction losses become less and less significant to flow. Use smaller plumbing only to adapt to devices that require it. (I.e. pressure nozzles, canister filters, etc.) For maximum flow, you want a wide open channel from the pump to the tank....or as wide as you can get. (Within practical limits. Don't let me see pics two weeks from now with you and your return plumbing based on 8" PVC. ;) :P :D)

Also, better pump manufacturers will have guidelines for their pumps. For example, many of the larger Mag pumps have 1" fittings, but the manual recommend 1.5" plumbing for proper service. I would heed all such advice.

 

[kenandmoose2]

Thanks! I guess I should make yet another trip to the fish store for valves and fittings lol
8" pvc hahaha that would be amazing.
I am going to set up another pump to supply the reactors and what ever misc. Stuff i may need to supply. So they will be separated from that system.