Need help with plumbing!

[cwk84]

I'm finally going to upgrade to a tank that allows for a sump setup. I got some 1" bulkheads yesterday and tubing to connect everything but I found out that I have to have specific pipe size for the drain and return line. Now I'm super confused. Does the drain pipe have to be bigger or smaller than the return or vice versa? And how can I find out what size pipe I need? My return pump is a Danner 9.5B. I got it used from someone. It has 1" outlet so I thought 1" should be fine.

 

[ReeferBean]

Is your tank already drilled? A larger drain size would accommodate more turnover, 1" would be fine for your return. Are you planning on using pvc or some sort of soft tubing?

 

[cwk84]

Is your tank already drilled? A larger drain size would accommodate more turnover, 1" would be fine for your return. Are you planning on using pvc or some sort of soft tubing?

Yes it is already drilled. The guy I bought it from used 1" bulkheads and flexible tubing. I wanted to do the same thing. I already have 1" tubing and bulkheads. So the drain and return would be 1".

 

[kirbuno]

The reasoning why a larger sump pipe is typically used when planning a new custom aquarium is that gravity fed water moves slower than forced pump fed water.

If you already have predrilled holes the same size then you should not worry too much, and just look at your connections you use to maximize your gravity flow, i.e try not to restrict your gravity flow with your choices of connections. Then regulate your return flow to whatever your max gravity flow ends up being. It is what it is.

 

[cwk84]

Gravity flow is the drain line going down to the sump, right? So if I get a ball valve I could reduce the flow of the pump? Or could I simply use an adapter and go from a 1" bulkhead to a 1 1/4 inch pipe?

 

[kirbuno]

Gravity flow is from your tank down to your sump. It would be better to use gate valves rather than ball valves though. You get mech better flow control. More $ upfront but worth it.

 

[cwk84]

But doesn't the pump need a specific size tubing as well? If I restrict the flow it might wear down the pump too much.

What if I go from a 1" bulkhead to a 1 1/4" adapter? Would that bottleneck impact that flow the same way as a 1" pipe all the way down to the sump?

 

[ca1ore]

Valving a pump will not damage it.

 

[Jeight]

use a gate valve ..ball valves seize up from the salt

 

[ReeferBean]

Valving a pump will not damage it.

+1

 

[ReeferBean]

If your pump outlet is 1", I would just stick with 1". The less bends and turns the better to reduce head pressure on the pump.

 

[cwk84]

I think it might actually be 3/4".

EDIT:

Mag Drive 9.5 93 5.0" x 3.0" x 5.5" 3/4" MPT / 3/4" FPT

It is indeed 3/4". So a 1" tubing should be fine.

 

[ReeferBean]

Post a pic of your sump and tank and we can get you squared away.

 

[cwk84]

 

[cwk84]

Ok forget about it. Just found out that there is a huge crack in the back. I don't know how this happened. Could have been the heat from the sun.

 

[Justbecause4js]

So sorry to hear.